« Maximum Precision with the VHP Collection »
Ever since they conquered the mass market in the early 1970s, quartz watches have stood for high accuracy at affordable prices. In recent years, however, the continued development of electronic timepieces has given rise to a new premium segment built on high tech rather than cheap goods. Among the great pioneers of this class is Longines, whose Conquest Quartz VHP models deviate by a mere five seconds per year.
Very High Precision – the name says it all
The origins of the modern VHP quartz go back to 1984: at a time when mechanical watches had all but been declared dead and many Swiss manufacturers were on the brink of insolvency, Longines teamed up with Asulab, today's Swatch research laboratory, to develop the next generation of quartz movement.
The new calibers were meant to be even more precise and even more reliable than the existing models from Asia and Europe. And indeed, the results were impressive: an accuracy of just ten seconds per year, combined with a perpetual calendar and a ten-year battery life, marked a considerable step forward.
The secret behind this revolutionary accuracy lay in the introduction of temperature-compensated oscillators, or TCXO for short.
These compact components reduce the influence of fluctuating temperatures on the quartz movement, making it run more evenly and predictably than conventional models. To this day, the idea remains the foundation of high-precision quartz movements. Yet it couldn't propel the success of the first Longines quartz editions: written off as a niche product, the VHP lines were discontinued in the 1990s.
Conquest Quartz: Impressive Variety
Today, this forward-looking technology is back stronger than ever and forms part of the extensive Longines Conquest collection. Here, the manufacture has made further refinements: instead of ten seconds, the editions now deviate from the correct time by only five seconds a year. Hats off. Nor does the modern VHP lack choice: counting women's and men's watches including the GMT models, the lineup adds up to around 40 pieces.
Within this lineup, the Longines Conquest Quartz 41mm enjoys particular popularity. It is divided into two families: the standard models on the one hand and the GMT editions on the other. According to the manufacturer, entry into the 41-millimeter quartz world starts at €870, which gets the buyer a sporty design language as well as a date display at 3 o'clock. The range of dials is diverse, stretching from classic variants such as shimmering black to a striking carbon look.
Bezels in a contrasting color cost extra, however, as does the optional PVD coating of the case. If you opt for the second time zone, you'll find it from €1,140 in the form of an additional, red-tipped hour hand. Across all Conquest Quartz models, the effortless legibility stands out just as positively as the pleasant wearing comfort.
From 44 mm Powerhouse to Delicate Ladies' Watch
Sturdy wrists will get their money's worth with the VHP Quartz chronographs. Ranging from 43 to 44 millimeters, they share their modern style and broad selection with the smaller variants. The stainless steel cases with white dials appeal more to classic tastes, while the dark PVD quartz watches have a commanding touch reminiscent of the cockpit of a thoroughbred race car.
One practical detail is the color differentiation of the subdials, which makes the timed measurements just as easy to read as the rest of the piece. At the opposite end of the size spectrum, the Longines Conquest Ladies' Quartz courts its own clientele. Aimed at the modern woman with a certain fondness for sporty details, these 36-millimeter gems offer optional diamond settings on the dial. If you want something even more exquisite, you can extend the sparkling stones to the bezel of the Longines Quartz VHP.
Standing out from the crowd even more successfully, though, are the editions with a black mother-of-pearl dial - the perfect expression of a slightly mysterious note. As with the masculine Longines Conquest Quartz 41mm, the range of straps and bracelets extends from stainless steel to a number of robust rubber options.
The Competition Isn't Sleeping
All in all, the Longines Conquest Quartz ranks among the most recommendable choices for fans of electronic timekeeping: not only the brand's long-standing experience in this field since its founding in 1832, but also the individuality of the collection speak for the overall package from Saint-Imier, Switzerland. The value for money is right, too: the premium of the VHP over regular Conquest quartz watches is modest, while the more advanced technology delivers a few seconds' edge in precision.
Even so, Longines can't rest on its laurels in this segment, as the achievements of rival brands demonstrate. Above all, Seiko's 9F caliber, found in the pricey Grand Seiko models, as well as the Citizen collections are regarded as pioneers in the field of "Very High Precision."
Adding to the pressure alongside the Japanese is Breitling: although the luxury brand operates in higher price ranges than Longines, it is one of the few competitors offering a comparably high-quality range of ladies' quartz watches. So even the Longines Conquest Ladies' Quartz is not alone.
Ultimately, healthy competition should benefit the buyer above all: better technologies, fair prices, and creative innovations will continue to make electronic timekeeping an exciting alternative to mechanical watches in the future.
