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Longines Conquest (Ref. 1542-1) Blue "Fume" Dial, 1974 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Longines Conquest (Ref. 1542-1) Blue "Fume" Dial, 1974

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Longines (maker)
Date
1974
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
LNGC15421
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (LNGC15421)
Catalogue title (original)
1974 Longines Conquest (Ref. 1542-1) Blue "Fume" Dial (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number LNGC15421), this is a wristwatch by Longines, made in Switzerland, dated 1974. 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 — Craft & Tailored

Longines is one of the oldest continuously operating watch manufacturers in the world, with roots dating back to 1832. Over that immense period of time, the brand has crafted some truly incredible—and incredibly accurate—timepieces. In fact, it's one of the reasons Longines is the official timekeeper of the Kentucky Derby, where accuracy is paramount. Whether it's a chronograph, diving watch, or a simple dress model, a Longines wristwatch never seems to disappoint. The brand's history is sprawling with an array of beautiful and functional pieces, including beautiful sports watches, military-issued timepieces, and unique dress watches. This Conquest from 1974 is no exception, with it's chunky stainless steel case and striking blue "fume" dial, it's as eye-catching as it is timeless in its presentation, and could be worn today just as effortlessly as any of its better-known contemporaries. SPECS Stock # LNGC15421 Brand Longines Style Conquest Model 1542-1 Serial 51XXXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Blue "Fume" Millimeters 41 X 45 Bracelet Longines Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The case is believed to have been polished in the past but still shows full, sharp, symmetrical angles and curves with honest signs of use present. The bezel is in beautiful condition, though the numerals have lost some of their legibility over time. The unsigned crown is believed to be original to the watch. The case back shows light wear and tooling marks, especially on the non-crown side, as is expected for the watch's age. The watch comes supplied on its original flat-link stainless steel bracelet with Longines signed clasp. DIAL & HANDS The silver-blue "fume" dial is striking and vibrant. The dial features a small mark at 1 o'clock and between the 9 and 10 o'clock markers with some loss to the minute track present. The tritium-lumed hour markers have a lovely creamy patina and exhibit some minor degradation when inspected under UV light. The baton-style handset is also in fantastic condition, under UV light inspection the hour hand matches the dial perfectly and exhibits no degradation while the minute hand appears to have been professionally restored with lighter colored lume at some point. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time, the previous service history is unknown. A movement service can be provided upon request.

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

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

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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