Longines HydroConquest Chronograph Automatic Blue Dial Reference L3.883.4.96.6 - Sporty Diver, A Review (plus Video)

I finally got a Longines watch for my collection.

I was on a trip to the UK to attend my daughter's graduation ceremony. It has been my tradition to buy myself a watch to commemorate such events. A few days before the ceremony, I visited the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet to see what watch shops were there and what brands and models they carried.

The only interesting shop I found was Hour Passion, which carries a number of Swiss brands. The Longines section was prominent, but it did not carry the most recent models. I later found out that by accepting this limitation, the shop is free to offer deep discounts that other Authorized Dealers (ADs) may not be allowed to give. For this shop, the standard discount is 30% off the MSRP.

My eyes fell on the blue HydroConquest Chronograph on a bracelet. I knew this model had been phased out in 2023. After further negotiation with the dealer, I received an additional 10% off the already discounted price.

Before making the purchase, I contacted a dealer friend in Malaysia to find out if it was a good deal. While the MSRP would be cheaper in Malaysia due to different tax structures, the discounts offered in the UK were so deep that the deal was very palatable. Sweet!

Timex Expedition Capstone Automatic Reference TW2Y39800 (similar to TW2Y39600) - A "Sweet Spot" Watch, A Review (plus Video)

I got my second Timex for the collection.  

 

I just found out that Solar Time is the brand's AD for Malaysia. I was so happy as it was difficult to source the brand using other channels. It least now I can visit and see the watch firsthand before I make any decision.

 

The model I am interested in is the Expedition series, specifically, the ones with automatic movements. I didn't have my hopes up as the automatic movement sub-series was only launched a few months ago. In fact, Solar Time was promoting the Q Timex line as this is the call-to-fame for the brand.

 

However, in between all the Q Timex models, there sits a pair of the Timex Expedition Capstone Automatics. I quickly asked the AD to take it out of the display cabinet for me to view. 

 

As a policy, I usually take the model with the bracelet option. However, in this case, the bracelet looks rather pathetic when compared to the fabric strap. Due to this, I decided to get the black Capstone with the fabric strap for the collection. 

 

The Grouping of Watch Brands in the Collection (as at July 2025)

Based on brands of watches (and other merchandise that are watch related) that are part of the collection and their corporate ownership, here's the clustered grouping as at July 2025:

1. Citizen Group (Citizen Watch Co.):

   • Citizen
   • Bulova 
   • Independent 
   • Alpina  

2. Seiko Group:

   • Seiko
   • Grand Seiko
   • Alba
   • Orient
   • Orient Star

3. Casio Computer Co., Ltd.:

   • Casio

       

4. Swatch Group Ltd.:

   • Omega
   • Tissot
   • Hamilton
   • Rado

5. Rolex SA:

   • Rolex
   • Tudor

6. Compagnie Financière Richemont SA:

   • Cartier
   • IWC
   • JLC (Jaeger-LeCoultre)
   • Montblanc

7. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (LVMH Horlogerie):

   • Zenith

8. Fossil Group, Inc. (License Holder):

   • Disney Parks Authentics (Fossil holds the license)

9. Invicta Watch Group:

   • Invicta
   • Glycine (Owned by Invicta Watch Group)

10. Victorinox AG:

    • Victorinox Swiss Army 

11. Timex Group:

    • Timex

12. Independent Brands / Microbrands / Other:

    • Likely Independent: 

      • Arbutus
      • Athaya Vintage
      • Ball
      • Bell & Ross
      • Damasko
      • Deep Blue
      • Evant
      • Gruppo Gamma
      • Ingersoll 1892
      • Laco 1925
      • LumTec
      • Maranez
      • Marathon
      • Oris
      • Parnis (not a company but a collection of factories using the same label)
      • Revelot
      • Squale
      • Steinhart
      • Vulcain
      • Yema
      • AVI-8
      • Arctos Elite/GPW Military
      • Aristo
      • Buran (owned by Volmax Company, a Russian watch manufacturer)
      • Leatherman
      • Ocean7
      • Schroeder
      • Seagull (Tianjin Seagull, Chinese manufacturer) 
      • Zeppelin

    • Retailer:

      • Daiso (Retailer, not a watch manufacturer brand)
      • SeiyaJapan (Retailer)

    • Tech: 

      • Apple
      • Suunto (Owned by Amer Sports).

    • Fashion/Licensed: 

      • Solvil Titus
      • PierCarlo d'Alessio 
        
      
      
      
      Below are flags of Switzerland, Japan, USA, Germany, France, UK, Russia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Luxembourg, Singapore & Finland