In a Flash
Longines introduces a new iteration of its Conquest V.H.P. watch for today’s tech-savvy globetrotter
Back in 1954, a quartz clock made by Longines set a new record for precision timekeeping. It was one of the first milestones that defined the close relationship between the storied brand and quartz. Fifteen years later, Longines introduced the first quartz movement for wristwatches: the Ultra-Quartz. This was then followed in 1984 by the ultraprecise Conquest V.H.P. quartz calibre which, in turn, preceded the debut of the Conquest V.H.P. “Very High Precision” collection at Baselworld 2017.
At this year’s Baselworld fair, Longines showcased the newest and sportiest member of the family: the Conquest V.H.P. Chronograph, but also hinted at another, more innovative model to be released later in the year. And that new model is now here: Longines’ Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting.
A TRAVEL COMPANION
As the name of the watch implies, the Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting provides a useful complication for frequent travelers in the form of a second time zone indicator, which allows the wearer to quickly tell what time it is at home while journeying somewhere in a different time zone. That, of course, only explains the “GMT” part of the watch’s name, and this brings us to the “Flash Setting” part.
See, a second time zone indicator—or the GMT complication—is usually set using the crown or by a rotatable bezel. Now, the Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting’s second time zone indicator can be adjusted manually, but it can also be set using a unique lightdriven management system: the Flash Setting.
Basically, the Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting’s time settings can be adjusted via the wearer’s smartphone, using a dedicated application. However, this system does not utilize connection methods like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Instead, instructions from the application are transmitted using light sequences emitted by the
“You simply need to point your phone’s camera towards the face of the watch and in an instant—a flash, you might say—the time settings are adjusted”
smartphone’s flash and are received by a light sensor whose tiny opening is concealed on the number 12. If you look closely, you can easily make out the dark dot on the number 1—that is the sensor. When the watch is set to receive setting updates, the hands are moved to ensure that the little hole is completely unobstructed.
The ultimate value of this innovation is, of course, convenience: No need to mess around with Wi-Fi settings or Bluetooth pairings. You simply need to point your phone’s camera towards the face of the watch and in an instant—a flash, you might say—the time settings are adjusted. And when your phone is out of reach, there’s still the manual option using the crown. Speaking of which, the crown also controls another feature of the Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting, namely the Swap function. Simply by applying pressure to the crown, the wearer can swap home time and travel time.
A RELIABLE COMPANION
Besides its new GMT function and Flash Setting mechanism, the Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting also has all the features that made the collection such a masterstroke. Much like the original and chronograph variants, the Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting is driven by an exclusive, cutting-edge quartz movement boasting an accuracy rating of +/- 5 seconds per year. Moreover, the watch’s Gear Position Detection or GDP system allows the watch to maintain accurate timekeeping after strong impacts (e.g., the watch is dropped) or when it has been exposed to strong magnetic fields (e.g., the watch is accidentally worn near, say, a powerful set of speakers). And on top of all that, the Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting also boasts very long battery life and a perpetual calendar that will stay accurate until the year 2399.
Also like its predecessors, the Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting comes in a wide assortment of design options. Material-wise, the watch comes in stainless steel or black PVD, in 41mm or 43mm for those who like something sportier. Dial options include black, silvered, blue or carbon fiber. All dial variants feature a red “V.H.P.” inscription above the 6 o’clock position, as well as home time and travel time symbols—also in red—at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock, respectively. Rounding up the watch’s presentation package are a set of bracelets—in steel or black PVD, depending on the case—and rubber straps in black or blue.
So, if you are in the market for a sporty, stylish and reliable timekeeper that can help you easily keep an eye on what time it is at home when you’re traveling wide and far, Longines has you covered the Conquest V.H.P. GMT Flash Setting.