
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Longines Conquest Automatic TV Case, ref. 1526-1 6651, Integrated Bracelet, circa 1979
- Maker / attribution
- Longines (maker)
- Date
- c. 1979
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- vws3909
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3909)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Longines Conquest Automatic TV Case - Model Ref: 1526-1 6651 - Integrated Bracelet - c.1979 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3909), this is a wristwatch by Longines, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1979. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist
A stylish 1979 Longines Conquest Model Ref: 1526-1 6651 with a distinctive TV case, beautifully aged original lume and elegant vintage presence The Longines Conquest line has been a cornerstone of the brand’s collection since its introduction in 1954, designed to embody precision, reliability and understated elegance. By the late 1970s, Longines was experimenting with bolder case shapes and higher-frequency movements, and the Conquest range reflected this innovation. The distinctive “TV case” design seen here is very much of its era, offering a contemporary take on the classic dress watch, while housing a high-beat movement for improved accuracy. Today, these vintage Conquest models are increasingly appreciated for their blend of 1970s styling and Longines’ enduring watchmaking heritage. What’s on Offer This Longines Conquest Automatic from circa 1979 is a fantastic example of late-70s design, with its distinctive stainless steel “TV case” and matching integrated bracelet giving it a strong retro aesthetic. The textured ecru dial is in excellent condition and features applied baton hour markers with subtle onyx inserts and lume pips. The super-slim pencil hands have slender lume inserts, paired with a central seconds needle hand, while the framed date aperture at 3 o’clock completes the clean, elegant layout. The Longines signature and applied winged hourglass emblem at 12 o’clock add a final touch of refinement. The case and bracelet are in great shape too, showing only light signs of wear commensurate with age. On the wrist, this Conquest wears with real presence and an effortless vintage charm, making it a stylish and versatile choice for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Automatic (self-winding) watches
Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.
What to look for
- A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
- 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
- A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.
Dating clues
- Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
- Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
- Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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