Longines Conquest Gold-Plated Dress Watch ref. 1500-2, circa 1974

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

The Longines Conquest has been part of the Swiss watchmaker's story since 1954, when it became one of the company's first officially registered watch collections. Originally associated with precision, reliability and robust everyday timekeeping, the Conquest gradually evolved into a varied collection encompassing both practical sports watches and more refined designs. By the 1970s, changing tastes had brought a new aesthetic to Swiss watchmaking. Traditional round cases were joined by broader, more sculptural designs, while brushed dials, applied hour markers and gold-tone finishes reflected the period's growing enthusiasm for contemporary styling. Longines embraced these developments while retaining the mechanical craftsmanship on which its reputation had been built. The result was a generation of elegant, understated watches that combined classic Swiss movements with distinctly 1970s design. Today, vintage Conquest models offer collectors an appealing combination of established watchmaking heritage, period character and everyday wearability. What's on Offer Here we have a beautifully presented Longines Conquest Reference 1500-2 , dating to approximately 1974, with a gold-plated case, elegant silver sunburst dial and manually wound mechanical movement. The first thing that catches the eye is the dial. Its finely brushed silver finish catches the light beautifully, creating a subtle sunburst effect that changes with the angle of the watch. Applied gold-tone baton hour markers, each featuring a dark central inlay, provide a lovely contrast against the pale background. There are luminous pips on each index for improved visibility. Matching gold-tone baton hands with luminous inserts complement the hour markers, while a slender central seconds hand completes the uncluttered three-hand display. The Longines name sits neatly beneath 12 o'clock, with the Conquest designation positioned above 6 o'clock. A discreet outer minute track adds definition without disturbing the dial's wonderfully clean appearance. The dial is in excellent condition , and its restrained styling gives the watch a particularly timeless appeal. The gold-plated case measures 35mm across, with a lug-to-lug length of 38mm. Its broad, softly rounded shape and integrated-looking lugs are characteristic of the era, giving the watch a little more presence than its dimensions might initially suggest. The case shows marks of wear consistent with its age, particularly around the edges and lugs, but retains its attractive shape. The bezel is in very good condition, as is the Plexiglass crystal. At 3 o'clock sits the gold-tone winding crown, bearing the Longines winged hourglass emblem, a pleasing detail that reinforces the watch's identity. The stainless steel caseback is engraved with the Longines name and the familiar Waterresistant, Antimagnetic and Shockabsorber wording. Inside the caseback, the model is identified as Reference 1500-2 . Powering the watch is the manually wound Longines Calibre 706 , a 17-jewel mechanical movement with a stated power reserve of approximately 37 hours. The movement has been serviced and is currently recording +12 seconds per day with an amplitude of 270° on the timegrapher. The watch is fitted with a black leather strap featuring a crocodile-style embossed finish, which works particularly well with the warm gold case and silver dial. What makes this Conquest so appealing is its versatility. It has enough 1970s character to interest a vintage watch enthusiast, yet its clean dial and restrained proportions make it equally suitable for everyday wear. An elegant example of vintage Longines watchmaking, combining a well-preserved dial, classic mechanical movement and distinctive period styling. Condition Report: Crystal: Very Good Dial: Excellent Bezel: Very Good Case: Good Movement: Serviced +12s/d 270° Overall: Very Good