For sale we have a rarely seen and desirable Longines Conquest Monopusher Chronograph, created for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. It is a reference 8613-1 with the serial number dating it to 1973.
Longines introduced the Conquest 1972 Munich to celebrate their achievement, being named the official Olympic co-timekeepers (alongside German brand Junghans). Until then, this was a title held exclusively by Omega.
The watch encapsulates the Olympics within its design, being perfectly round in the centre of its case and dial. This resembles an Olympic ring, but also a stopwatch. The pusher at 2 O’clock is stand out and really draws your attention as intended, with this being a functional watch.
The dial is good and original with silver satin sunburst finish. The exterior has a blue/grey tone, with this blending in to surround the date window and 30-minute sub-dial. The signing is good and clear with winged hourglass logo, with two Tritium lume plots below 12 and above 6. The hands are original and the central second hand and 30-minute sub-dial hand have a very bright orange tone.
The Stainless-Steel case measures 36.5mm by 37.75mm with a lug-to-lug measurement of 41.5mm. It is a statement case with its perfectly circular centre section. The lugs are experimental, of hooded design with central cut out, which is not something we have ever seen on another watch. The case has a sandblast effect to the top, with polished sides.
The screwback is good, with circular sunburst finish and Munich 1972 signing. Inside it is signed with the reference 8613-1.
The movement is a Longines cal 335, which is a Valjoux 234 base calibre. It has a jewel count of 17, with incabloc shock protection and a date function. A classic monopusher timing watch, it counts 60 seconds and 30 minutes, with no constant second hand. It is exceptionally well made and finished. A real joy to look at. The movement is in good condition, keeping time to within -5 seconds a day.
A rare and stylish 1970s watch that would be a joy within any collection, with an interesting 1972 Olympic link.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in good condition. It has a silver sunburst finish which shines in the light. It has a grey/blue tone to the outer section of the dial which is very good too. The signing is good and unworn. The hour markers are silver and have some slight corrosion.
Hands:
The hands are original, with original lume in-fill. They are in average condition with surface corrosion to the hour and minute hands. The central second hand is original and bright, as is the 30 second counter.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is original and is in good condition.
Pusher:
The pusher is original and functions well.
Crown:
The crown is a well-matched replacement. It is not signed Longines.
Case:
The case is formed of Stainless Steel and is in good condition with some minor marking. It has had the finish re-done in the past. It has a sand blasted finish to the top, with polished sides.
Caseback:
The case back is stainless steel and is in good condition with polished exterior and a brushed circular finish to the face. The polished finish has light surface scratching. The original signing is good and clear, with some signs of the black ink infill remaining.
Strap:
The watch comes on a genuine leather racing style strap.
Movement:
The movement is a Longines cal 335, which is a Valjoux 234 base calibre. It has a jewel count of 17, with incabloc shock protection and a date function. It has no constant second hand but has a stop centre second and a 30 minute counter.
The movement service history is unknown, but it is in good condition. It’s keeping time to within -5 seconds deviation a day, with an amplitude of 315 degrees and a beat error of 0.5m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 36.5mm
Case width with crown: 39mm
Case length: 37.75mm
Case length lug to lug: 41.5mm
Case Depth: 12.5mm
Lug width: 18mm