Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Longines HydroConquest Automatic vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Longines's diver meets Stauer's dress watch

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Longines HydroConquest Automatic ($1,500–$2,500). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The HydroConquest Automatic justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic L888.5. Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.

LonginesHydroConquest Automatic$1,500–$2,500 Check price Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price

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Longines

HydroConquest Automatic

$1,500–$2,500

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Longines HydroConquest Automatic	Stauer 1920s Retrograde
Price	$1,500–$2,500	$100–$150
Case Size	41mm	43mm
Movement	Automatic L888.5	Quartz
Caliber Type	ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Balance Spring	Quartz
Power Reserve	72 Hours	Battery
Water Resistance	300m (30 ATM)	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
Crystal	Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating	Mineral crystal
Case Material	Stainless Steel	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
Origin	Swiss Made	Stauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Longines's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Longines HydroConquest Automatic features a Stainless Steel case at 41mm with Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

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Movement & Performance

Edge: Longines

Automatic L888.5 vs Quartz

The HydroConquest Automatic runs the Automatic L888.5 (ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Balance Spring, 72 Hours power reserve) at 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz) frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The HydroConquest Automatic edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Longines

41mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 41mm, the HydroConquest Automatic wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 300m (30 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Longines HydroConquest Automatic sits at $1,500–$2,500 and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the HydroConquest Automatic uses Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating with 72 Hours, against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Longines

300m (30 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The HydroConquest Automatic is rated to 300m (30 ATM) while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The HydroConquest Automatic is better suited for water activities.

Our Verdict

Longines

HydroConquest Automatic

Choose the Longines HydroConquest Automatic if you prioritize ETA-Based Automatic with Silicon Balance Spring engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 300m (30 ATM) water resistance. At $1,500–$2,500, it delivers Automatic L888.5 with 72 Hours power reserve.

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Longines HydroConquest Automatic and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Longines bringing Swiss Made tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Longines HydroConquest Automatic is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Longines HydroConquest Automatic is rated 300 m against 100 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $1,500–$2,500), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Longines HydroConquest Automatic may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The HydroConquest Automatic at 41mm with 300m (30 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The HydroConquest Automatic uses Sapphire with Anti-Reflective Coating while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.