I have the first version brown 37mm CC and a 41mm ceramic HC. On specs (especially movement) and ruggedness the HC wins hands down, but the quality of finishing and all the little details on the CC are truly remarkable. It's a very unique design, and to me what you're paying for here is absolutely the design and the fit/finishing. I love both of them, but the CC just brings that little extra spark of joy every time I wear it.

My Hydroconquest with the L888 movement has been running a consistent -1 second a day for the last two years. Blown away by the accuracy, both of my powermatic 80s have fallen off significantly after about a year of ownership but the Longines is rock solid.

It's not retail, but you can easily get a Longines Hydroconquest ceramic grey market in this $1200 price range, and both the movement and finishing are outstanding for the price. I've had mine two years, worn it climbing and diving and everywhere in between, and it still looks like new and keeps within 1-2 sec a day. (Gotta flip the bracelet for a NATO tho)

I actually own both of these (although the smaller original release 37mm CC) and they're both outstanding watches. To me they serve completely different roles in my collection. While not a dress watch, the Rado looks far more refined both on leather and on the classic beads of rice bracelet, and can dress up and dress down with ease. The Longines is much more of a tool watch, although the ridiculous polished center links on the bracelet would lead you to believe otherwise. I almost immediately threw it on a bond NATO and it's been a rock solid companion for all sorts of outdoor activities both in the mountains and the sea. The 888 movement isn't chronograph certified, but after a year of hard use I'm still getting +2s a day.

For the wedding alone, the Rado is a clear winner, it just looks so much more refined. But for a rugged daily wearer, it's hard to go wrong with the Longines