The Best Affordable Everyday Watch Just Got More Wearable

The Longines Conquest Automatic has long been a classic, elegant watch perfect for everyday wear.

So, when it was finally offered in a “Goldilocks” 38mm case in 2024, that pretty much sealed the deal regarding its “best affordable automatic everyday watch” bona fides.

Longines

As it turns out, Longines was not done optimizing its marquee design for comfort and versatility. With summer 2025 just around the corner, the Swiss watchmaker added a rubber strap with a folding clasp and quick-release pins for a lighter, softer feel.

The three-link steel bracelet on the first group of 38mm Conquest Automatics is perfectly suited for everyday wear and offers a more refined edge. But the new textured rubber strap has a sportier look and is better suited for highly active wearers.

Longines

It is available in green, blue and black, with the strap color matching the dial in each case. The 41mm Conquest Automatic has the same rubber strap options.

A sportier everyday watch

The Conquest Automatic got a full revamp in 2023, receiving the impeccably versatile dial it now sports. The current design is so well built that its closest competition exists in a higher price bracket, like the Rolex Oyster Perpetual and Omega Seamaster.

Longines

Slightly tapered hands, beveled applied dash indices and a discrete date window perfectly balance simplicity and refinement. Underneath, a radial brushed dial with a sunken outer ring provides a touch of shimmer.

The brushed steel case has soft edges and gently curved sides, topped with a bold bezel, one of the Conquest Automatic’s distinguishing features.

Longines

Thanks to its 100m water resistance rating, Super-LumiNova painted hands and hour markers and AR-coated sapphire crystal, the Conquest Automatic functions as a serviceable dive watch. The new rubber strap further emphasizes this alternate use.

A sleek workhorse

Inside the well-proportioned case is the Conquest Automatic’s secret weapon. As a member of the Swatch Group, Longines builds its movements in-house in conjunction with ETA, the gold standard of Swiss movement production.

Longines

Both the 38mm and 41mm Conquest Automatics run on the Longines caliber L888.5 movement, which is based on the ETA A31.L11. It has a 72-hour power reserve and an accuracy of +/-5 seconds per day.

From the dial to the movement, the Conquest Automatic blows away the competition in the $2,000 tier from brands like Oris and Hamilton. Which means that arguably the best feature of the new textured rubber strap is that it is $100 cheaper than the steel bracelet version.

Availability and pricing

The Longines Conquest Automatic 38mm with rubber strap is available now from Longines and authorized dealers for $1,975.

At launch, it comes in black, green and blue. With more dial color options available, Longines will likely add more strap colors down the road.

Longines

Longines Conquest Automatic 38mm

Specs

Case Size	38mm
Movement	Longines caliber L888 automatic
Water Resistance	100m

• $1,975 at Longines

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