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Longines Conquest Chronograph, ref. 726 8596-1, Original Bracelet, circa 1974 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Longines Conquest Chronograph, ref. 726 8596-1, Original Bracelet, circa 1974

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Longines (maker)
Date
c. 1974
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 43 mm
Stock no.
vws3606cs
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3606cs)
Catalogue title (original)
Longines Conquest Chronograph - Reference 726 8596-1 - Original Bracelet - c.1974 (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3606cs), this is a wristwatch by Longines, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1974. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 43 mm. 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 Beautiful and Collectable Longines Conquest Chronograph, with Valjoux 72 Movement, Model 726 8596-1 in Superb Condition with its Original Longines Signed Bracelet, c.1974 The Longines Conquest range, first introduced in 1954, embodies the Swiss brand's commitment to precision, elegance, and durability. Designed for those who value both functionality and style, the Conquest was Longines' answer to the growing demand for sports watches in the mid-20th century. The collection quickly established itself with robust features, including water resistance and shock protection, which were cutting-edge then. What's on Offer Every discerning collector should own at least one Longines watch, and if you are a fan of vintage sports watches, then this could be right up your street! This meaty chronograph is super retro and perfectly reflects the 1970s! Crafted for durability and precision, the watch is powered by the celebrated Valjoux 726 hand-wound chronograph movement, a highly accurate and reliable workhorse. Rolex also used the Valjoux 726, which was known as Cal. 727. Functions Central hours and minute hands and chronograph seconds 30-minute counter at 3:00 12-hour counter at 6:00 Running small seconds at 9:00 The dished dial is in superb condition with 3 counters, chunky pencil hands with luminous inserts, a zesty orange needle hand and applied hour markers with luminous inserts. The dial is encapsulated underneath a sapphire crystal. The brushed steel cushion case is in superb shape with very minimal signs of previous wear. At 43mm this watch has a real presence on the wrist but remains surprisingly comfortable. The steel bracelet is also in remarkably good condition with barely a sign of previous wear. This watch is a superb buy, a very well-preserved vintage Longines chronograph, it won't be around for long!

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

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

  • Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
  • Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
  • Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
  • Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

  • Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
  • Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
  • Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

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.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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