Clafou34's review on his Longines Conquest

I was looking for a dress watch for everyday wear, small in size (between 33 and 36 mm), automatic, and robust (it's a very small category that I hope will expand). I chose this white 34mm Longines Conquest (I couldn't find the rose gold one in stores). This watch is very attractive and has field-ready features (anti-magnetic, 10 ATM water resistance, sapphire crystal, screw-down crown with protection) with accuracy that, while not COSC certified, is very close. Its movement (L888.5) is not COSC certified, but there is a version (L888.4) that is. And it shows, because it's very accurate. Having owned Orient and Seiko 4R35 watches, I appreciate the upgrade in this Longines movement with its impressive 72-hour power reserve, resistance to magnetism, and perfect accuracy for my needs (I can go a week without setting the time and the deviation is only 15 seconds). The crown is very smooth to operate. The finishing is magnificent, and I never tire of looking at it (sunburst metallic dial). It's perfect for a week at the office. But the problem arises on weekends; with its polished finish, you're a little worried about scratching it. And that's one of the watch's drawbacks. Having listed the advantages, here are the points to consider: - The polished finish detracts from its otherwise robust features. You're hesitant to wear it during activities that might cause it to rub against something. Within a few weeks, the bracelet buckle was already quite scratched. - The metal bracelet is very beautiful, but since I ended up using this watch for dress, I wanted to put it on a leather strap. And that's where the trouble started. Disassembly is complicated (the spring bars aren't easily accessible with a standard tool), the large lugs aren't very aesthetically pleasing, and the 17mm lug width limits the options. In short, a leather strap shouldn't be a deciding factor, even if it's possible. - The Longines rubber straps are well-integrated and attractive, but at an unreasonable price (€420). In short, it's a beautiful watch suitable for all wrists (men's and women's) with very interesting specifications that certainly ensure its durability. But it's best worn with its metal bracelet as a dress watch. I don't regret my purchase, as such specifications are rare to find in a 34mm case, but I'll have to complement it with a watch more suited to everyday wear.