I first saw the Conquer Sports Watch as a post on social media, where I’ve been following their development since last November. When founder and CEO, Kim Rai, offered to send examples over for review, I was happy to get a peek at them in the metal.
The Conquer comes in two iterations: quartz and automatic. While largely similar, with the exception of their movements, their are several subtle design differences occurring on the dial that are worth noting. The automatic, powered by the hi-beat Miyota 9015, has a sunray blue, sector-style dial, with a series of textured lines circling the outer edges–giving it an almost pond ripple effect. The angled rehaut indicates 60 minutes with printed numerals and dash indicators. On the dial itself, the brand name appears in bold lettering beneath the twelve, and the lines “AUTOMATIC,” and “100 METERS” are printed above the six.
The quartz version, powered by the Swiss Ronda, is enamel white and eschews the use of text entirely. Neither does it employ the same textured sector effect. Its applied indices are baton-shaped, and the hands are a slightly wider, pencil style. The matching white rehaut retains the numerals indicating every five minutes, but does away with the dash indicators. The overall effect is starker, if perhaps bolder. Both dials use the brand logo of a heraldic lion as the indicator at twelve, and the hands and indices are treated with Swiss Super-LumiNova.
Beyond the dial, the watches are nearly identical. Both have a 41mm, stainless steel case that measures a comfortable 47mm lug to lug. It will also tuck nicely under a cuff at 11.5mm thick. The finishing is predominantly brushed, with the exception of a highly polished line between the fluted bezel and the slightly domed sapphire crystal. It is the aforementioned fluting that gives the watches their character–that of a dressy sports offering, in the Datejust vein. Interestingly, this fluting is repeated on the underside of the automatic.
Both have screwed down casebacks and crowns which allow for 100m of water resistance. However, the automatic version has a sapphire portal through which you can see the movement.
Despite these similarities, the watches do have different personalities. The sunray dial of the automatic has a lot of wrist presence, changing appearance in different lights. The wedge indices and sword hands are sportier and have a maritime feel more akin to the Omega Aqua Terra or the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80. The more sober styling of the quartz model falls firmly in the Oyster Perpetual camp and is easier to envision paired with a suit.
Both watches come on a stainless steel bracelet. The links are solid, push-pin. The clasp is a milled, fold-over design with push-button release and five levels of micro-adjust. It is signed with the brand logo. As an option, there is also a French Epsom Leather Strap.
Advertisement
SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 41mm Diameter 47mm Lug to Lug 11.5mm Thick 22mm Lug Width Fluted Bezel Screw Down Crown & Caseback 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Domed Sapphire /w AR Applied Markers Angled Rehaut /w Printed Minute Indicators Sword Hands (auto); Pencil Hands (quartz) Swiss Super-LumiNova Blue Sector Sunray Dial/ White Enamel |
| Movement | Automatic Version: Miyota 9015 Quartz Version: Swiss Ronda |
| Strap | Stainless Steel Bracelet /w Milled Clasp & Fold-over, Push Button Release Optional: French Epsom Leather |
Of Interest
The Conquer was designed on Vancouver Island in Canada and manufactured overseas using components from Switzerland, Japan, and France. The website flaunts a third iteration of the watch in what appears to be PVD black with a textured dial.
Quibbles
The only element which might be considered divisive is the logo at twelve. It was a detail I found jarring at first, but later grew on me. Personally, I’d rather see it stand alone on the automatic watch, as well, rather than have the brand name inscribed in text.
Final Thoughts
As difficult as it is for collectors to fathom, some people own only one watch. The Conquer strikes me as the sort of timepiece that caters to that crowd. As far as watches go, it covers a lot of bases. It is a well-built classic design with admirable water resistance. While I wouldn’t refer to it as an adventurer’s watch, it is certainly robust enough to handle the weekend activities of most modern men. I wouldn’t be afraid to knock it around. However, the fluted bezel elevates it slightly, so that I feel it would be sharp enough to be worn in more formal settings. It would probably look great on Epsom Leather. The size of the watch is still in the sweet spot for the majority of wearers, as well. And the choice between quartz or automatic will also hit two distinct markets–those looking for a quick grab and go, everyday wearer, and those who are biting down hard on the entry level luxury watch world (and perhaps dreaming of a Datejust). While I like the stark white styling of the quartz (I am reminded a little of my SARB), I favour the handset and indices of the automatic. The added fluting on the caseback of the Miyota reference is also more visually interesting.
The Kickstarter launch date for the Conquer is February 22nd. Pricing will begin at $199USD for the Ronda quartz and $389 for the Miyota. For more information, please visit the brand website.
Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.
Please understand that using any links to products on this site might result in us making money.
Looks decent enough, but I feel like this watch needs some adjustments.
The ‘pond-ripple’ bezel – as you described – is such a highlight for the watch!
These really rock that sports watch aesthetics.
Glad you like it!