LONGINES HydroConquest All-Black CERAMIC ZrO2

This pitch black beauty (ref. L3.784.4.56.9) is the newest member of the Longines HydroConquest family which is presented in a sleek all-black finish that has been entirely made from high-tech black ceramic.

Longines has just recently updated the HydroConquest family with new colored ceramic bezel inserts but unlike those, this newest model has adopted black ceramic for the watch as a whole.



Its 42mm in diameter case as well as its components, such as its rotational diver’s bezel including inlay, the screwed-down case-back and crown; even its dial have all been made from black ceramic.

And just in case you were in any doubt of this new HydroConquest’s genetic makeup, Longines has thoughtfully included an additional line of white dial text, proudly stating the chemical number for ceramic, ZrO2.



Adding a little variation and interest to an otherwise sober all-black aesthetic; Longines has given each of the watch’s components a different finish: a matte dial, a polished case, a round satin bezel and a back blending a circular satin and matte finish.

The all this blackness is however disrupted by the radiant white of the watch’s SuperLumiNova coated indexes and hands which are starkly contrasted against the deep black of the dial.



In addition to the highly scratch-resistant ceramic, diver’e features of the watch include a: a Sapphire crystal with multi-layers AR-coating on both sides, 300 meters of water resistance and a black diver’s rubber with a double security folding-clasp.

Power comes from a self-winding mechanical movement (L888.3) developed exclusively for Longines whose features include: three-hands and a calendar. The L888.3 has 64hrs of power-reserve.



Thoughts? While I appreciate all the lovely high-tech ceramic that this new HydroConquest makes use –

I’m far more drawn to models such as the Legend Diver or the new SKIN DIVER. Would it be too much to hope for one of those to get the ZrO2 treatment?