Longines’ quest to conquer seafaring adventures in style is epitomised by the newly and extensively redesigned Longines HydroConquest. The refresh comes nearly 20 years after Longines first released the dive watch in 2007. Previous HydroConquest generations were characterised by a bolder, in-your-face appearance. Its 6, 9, and 12 Arabic numerals and oversized crown, distinct features that come to mind, now take a back seat as Longines opted for a more elegant execution.
Longines begins the conversation with a two-pronged approach: a clean disposition paired with an overall reduction in dimension and proportion. The former begins with a sleek, lacquered dial featuring simple geometric indices, which is further complemented by a ceramic bezel. With four new dial variations and five striking ceramic bezels, a new shade dubbed “luminous blue,” specially devised by Longines, serves as the collection’s hero piece. Despite it veering towards the flashier end of the spectrum, the HydroConquest is engineered with the uncompromising performance of a dive watch. Think a robust 300m water-resistant stainless steel case with a micro-adjustable steel bracelet, and an anti-magnetic Longines-exclusive L888.5 calibre with a silicon balance spring.
The refreshed 39- mm and 42-mm stainless steel cases deliver contemporary proportions that balance presence with wearability. Other redesign elements that contribute to this include smoother crown guards, a wrist-friendly 11.7mm thickness, and three references paired with a new Milanese mesh bracelet.
After spending nearly two decades in various roles with Longines, Patrick Aoun was promoted to CEO in June 2025. Men’s Folio quizzed Aoun about his leadership style, steering the manufacture in a rapidly evolving watch landscape, and his thoughts on the new HydroConquest collection.
You have spent nearly two decades with Longines in regional and strategic roles. When you stepped into the CEO position, what shifted most in how you now see the brand and your responsibility to it?
Longines has been a beautiful journey that has shaped who I am today as a leader. Coming from different backgrounds, having lived in several countries, and spending many years based in Dubai, I was responsible for the Middle East, Southeast Asia and India among other regions. Working across so many cultures has truly widened my horizons.
My journey has taught me tolerance, adaptability and respect. You don’t always agree with differences, but you must respect them. And the moment you truly accept differences, that’s when growth begins. That has been my journey so far.
After 19 years, Longines is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. I’m very optimistic about the future: our fundamentals are solid, our identity is clear, and our teams are fully committed. That gives me real confidence as we move forward into the future.
Having worked so closely with retailers, partners and clients across diverse markets, how has that on the ground experience shaped the way you intend to lead Longines globally?
All these experiences have taught me one thing: the emotion a watch inspires is universal, but the way it is expressed is deeply local. My vision for leading Longines globally is clear: maintain a strong, consistent brand identity while staying closely attuned to the needs and culture of each market.
Longines often speaks about clarity and consistency as strengths. As CEO, what does maintaining that clarity mean to you in a rapidly evolving watch landscape?
Clarity is essential, especially in a fast-changing watch market. For me, it means being clear about who Longines is, what we stand for and what we want to achieve. Our heritage, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance always guide us in our journey. That clarity allows us to stay consistent, and consistency is what drives long-term success.
As CEO, it means continuing to create reliable, beautifully designed Swiss timepieces at accessible prices, staying true to our leadership in our segment, and making sure every decision reflects the identity our clients know and trust.
Turning to the new HydroConquest collection, what was the starting point for its development? Was it driven more by heritage, contemporary lifestyle needs, or changing expectations of today’s male watch buyer?
We wanted a watch that’s versatile, practical and elegant: something that moves effortlessly from everyday life to more active pursuits, while still pairing perfectly with a suit.
Longines balances elegance, sport and professional timekeeping. How do you ensure a men’s collection feels modern and relevant without losing the brand’s unmistakable identity?
For me, it’s all about balance. Our watches must always carry the core values of Longines: elegance, tradition and performance. We achieve this by updating proportions, refining details, and bringing in contemporary touches, while staying true to the design principles that make a Longines watch instantly recognisable. It’s about creating timepieces that speak to today’s wearer without ever losing the brand’s identity. Our new HydroConquest models are a perfect example of this approach.
Do you agree that heritage should be a compass rather than an anchor?
Yes, indeed. At Longines, we’re guided by tradition but not confined by it. What drives me is the opportunity to honour the brand’s legacy while pushing it forward: that’s where the magic happens!
In the “middle luxury” segment, expectations around quality, design and value are higher than ever. What do you believe Will most surprise or impress collectors about this new collection?
We have reworked the HydroConquest collection with updated proportions, refined details, vibrant dial and ceramic bezel options, and, for the first time too, Milanese mesh bracelets that are as comfortable as they are elegant. Under the surface, these watches are equally impressive: the Longines exclusive automatic movement with a silicon balance-spring delivers precision and reliability. Ultimately, this is a watch built for today’s lifestyle: versatile, elegant and robust enough to move effortlessly from adventure to everyday life.
Looking ahead, what do you hope the HydroConquest collection signals about the direction Longines is taking under your leadership?
The new HydroConquest shows the direction we’re taking at Longines: reinforcing our leadership in our price segment while staying true to our identity and our slogan, “Elegance is an attitude.” For me, it’s about creating collections that are relevant and thoughtfully designed, as well as maintaining the highest standards of quality. This collection captures that vision perfectly: timeless, elegant, and unmistakably Longines.
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