Longines Conquest VHP Review and Comparison

Bear with me as I put context into this review… We have been tracking the passing of time for thousands for years. However it is only in the last 300 years that have seen the most important developments. We have always used some sort of man made tool to measure the passing of time. It could have started with sticks to trees and diagrams on the ground, developing into celestial navigation based timekeeping via the stars but now its keeping track of decaying atoms or something like that.  

Keeping accurate time is important for many reasons, the most obvious is helping you get to work on time, to prevent train or plane accidents or forgetting your partner’s birthday or anniversary and generally to keep life in relative order. However we now use computers and phones to keep track of time but for a brief time the wrist watch was the best device for keeping track of it.

Before computers and phones all the brands where into making watches to be as accurate as possible, however the problem was that mechanical watches where simply not accurate or reliable enough. (Before Quartz tech most brands either made cases or watch parts or complete watch movements few made them all.) Then came quartz watch technology, an amazing technological advancement that made all ‘mechanical’ movements and accuracy competitions at the time irrelevant. The original quartz watches kept time within a + or – 15 seconds a month. The best models can now keep track of time within + or – 5 seconds a year! And all without the aid of a smart phone, GPS satellites or radio waves. 

Since the demand for accuracy is ironic quite low for watches, if you want one of the most accurate watches in the world that very few know about and for a reasonable price than you need to buy the Longines Conquest VHP. Longines is a Swiss watch manufacturer, one of the oldest watch brands in the world with a long history of genuine horological inventions. Interestingly they have never positioned themselves as a high horological brand but targeted the entry level luxury market, leaving it up to their other partners to take on lower and higher status. The Conquest sub-brand model range is their entry level but they priced and specified higher than others. For example most Tissot models are priced lower than the entry level Longines. To compensate Longines watches look and feel more expensive than any equivalent Tissot.

Have you heard of Longines?  Firstly very few taking heads on Youtube simply and literally don’t know about Longines or the Conquest VHP which is why they should be described as self proclaimed experts and sales people or limited scope entertainers. They often call them selves watch enthusiasts, but clearly they are not – they are brand with the highest margin driven or sponsorship. They are also driven by the algorithm and follow the thinking if you say it loud and repetitive enough and have that many followers you are an expert or some what credible which we have learnt is also not true – they are entertainers with an agenda to market or sell you something. Mind you there are some that are truly experts, you’ll just have to work out which ones. That makes Longines a watch brand for those after the latest fashion buzz word – Quiet Luxury. 

Welcome to the review of the Longines Conquest VHP watch. So what makes the Longines Conquest VHP special? Firstly, although no longer being made in 2026 you can still buy brand new models as run out stock as I did. The key selling point of the VHP which means Very High Precision, is accuracy and it is specified at + or – 5 seconds variation a Year. All VHP models also come with an automatic perpetual calendar, magnetic and shock compensation. The other selling point for me was that is came from Longines a manufacturer with a long history of landmark timepieces that are reliable. This wasn’t my first Longines watch either. 

The Longines Conquest VHP watch design is arguably why it wasn’t a popular choice. Unlike the last Longines VHP from the 1990’s this model’s looks are the complete opposite. It is quite large, heavy and designed to be what I would call ‘timeless’ rather a contemporary timepiece as per the former. It’s what you’d expect a watch to look like. Also note that there is a GMT version called the Longines Conquest VHP GMT and a VHP Chronograph (stop watch) that is also available at a similar price. 

The Longines Conquest VHP case and bracelet finishing has a mix of brushed and polished steel that gives it a sporty look that would work perfectly in say an equestrian or horse riding (pun intended) and wouldn’t look out of place on the golf course. The watch internals was designed to adjust for impacts and magnetic interference can definitely survive a few of them while remaining completely accurate. I don’t mean physical damage. In the office environment VHP works with any sort of outfit and blends in unlike a overly chunky office-diver’s watch. The back of the watch is heavily details with winged Longines logo and a signed knob! Of note the bracelet gaps are so tight a razer blade won’t slide in. 

The dial is under a layer of sapphire crystal. Although there are a variety dial colours and material I chose the white version as I only have one other white watch. Except for the carbon fibre version the rest have tiny circles around the dial you can only see if 20/20 vision or close up and it gives it a classy look. The hands are huge indicating the power of the motor and its ability to smoothly spin at speeds no other manufacturer can do. (Perhaps the Tissot T-Touch is on par) The hour markers and branding appear to be applied but there some printed details. There where no defects on mine that I could see. 

So how does the Longines Conquest VHP compare to other more watches currently on sale in 2026 that boast similar accuracy in time keeping? 

The most obvious comparison is ‘The Citizen’ aka formerly known as the The Citizen Chronomaster. The Citizen watch company seems to be trying to promote this model range as a premium one hence you’ll see many Youtubers suddenly discovering and promoting this model.  To summarise The Citizen, there are two models or movements in ‘The Citizen’ range, the normal version costs $4000-5000 AUD which boast + or – 5 seconds a year and the top ranger boasts + or – 1 second difference a year! (Amazing) The Citizen watch costs $5000-6000 AUD. Both models cost significantly more than the Conquest VHP but the disappointing thing is that the quality of ‘The Citizen’ is not close to the precision of the Longines. Quality control and material levels, even the minimalist design are not quite there yet especially for the price. Citizen excuses this by promoting ‘hand made’ as a legitimate excuse – hmm. In the end there are too many obvious quality issues to justify the price.  

The next comparison are the Grand Seiko Quartz models which boast an accuracy range of + or – 10 seconds a year and + or – 5 second a year on limited editions. The designs are a more retro if you are into that sort of look. The Grand Seiko Quartz watches build and material quality are on the same level and yes the dial quality is also the same level and the Longines VHP. Grand Seiko Quartz models are priced in the $3000-7000 AUD price range.   

Conclusion? If you are after the most accurate and best value Swiss made quartz watch in 2026 then the Longines Conquest VHP is a hands down must buy before they are all sold out! The price of the Conquest VHP or VHP GMT models range from 100,000 Yen – 150,000 Yen and Japan is the country with the most available stock, almost every Yodabashi or Bic Camera has them. The Longines Conquest VHP is a great watch and it is unfortunate that most don’t aspire to accuracy any more and of course the lack of awareness and research by the Youtube entertainers.