This is the Longines Conquest GMT, reference L3.687.4.566. At first glance, it looks like one of many GMTs bearing the ETA 2893 movement, but then you notice that date window. Look at where it is on the dial, all the way at the right edge (so this is something different):
That tells you the size of the movement matches the dial, and this watch has a 34mm dial. The 2893 is 11.5 ligne, or about 25mm. Once you start looking, you’ll notice that most large watches have a date window more towards the center, because the movement is too small. Pet peeve of mine. This one, on the other hand, is perfectly sized. That’s because the movement, which Longines calls the L704, is actually an ETA/Valgranges A07.171, part of their larger-sized movement line introduced a few years ago. Functionally, it’s just a 2893 sized up a bit, so you get the usual three hands plus a 24-hour hand that is set in one hour increments. It’s not as good for traveling, where you really want the main hour hand to jump, but it is good for tracking another time zone.
I would have preferred that they had used a white-on-black date window, though. The square of white doesn’t match the dial well.
Let’s get to measurements. The watch is 41.0mm across by 14.4mm thick, 48.9mm lug to lug with a 6.4mm non-screwdown crown. The lugs are 20mm, and the bracelet tapers down to 18mm at the butterfly deployant. Weight is 175g including the bracelet.
The case is stainless steel, with a sapphire crystal sporting an interior anti-reflective coating. Super-LumiNova on the hands and dial, water resistant to 50m despite the non-threaded crown. It’s also available with silver or blue dials. The bracelet has 3.8mm thick solid links, sized with split pins, center brushed. The signed deployant clasp lacks micro-adjustments, but the watch does include a half-link for sizing.
The best feature of this watch, in my opinion, is the sunray finish on the dial. In normal lighting it appears matte black, but in sunlight it becomes a shifting play of grey to black. The hands are well sized for the dial and quite legible.
In some light, as seen above, polished hands vanish and in their absence the lume strips are still legible. Not bad.
Speaking of lume:
That’s quite good, though the gaps at 3/6/12 bug me a bit. No problem reading the time at night, and no problem discerning the hour and 24-hour hands.
On the wrist, it’s a versatile watch. Definitely dressy, it’s one I’d recommend for business. Not too fancy, not too plain, not too expensive, this is a watch that says you appreciate timepieces but aren’t looking for bling. On the minus side, 14.4mm is thicker than I like for dress wear, and makes it a bit top-heavy.
I like the elegant clasp. As noted, more dressy than sporty.
No-nonsense caseback, well-protected signed crown and sharply dropped lugs. Good casework throughout.
I think Longines has a good watch here. A step up from a basic 3-hand watch, the GMT function and finishing make this a good daily wearer. longines.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: Longines
>Model: Conquest GMT, L3.687.4.566
>Price: $1,600
>Would reviewer personally wear it: For when I needed to dress well for business meetings and travel.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Businessman who needs to track another timezone
>Worst characteristic of watch: Thickness.
>Best characteristic of watch: That lovely dial.