Longines Revives a Historic High-Beat Icon: The Ultra-Chron Classic
Longines continues to build on its remarkable heritage of precision watchmaking with the release of the Ultra-Chron Classic, a modern reinterpretation of one of its most important high-frequency models. Inspired by the original Ultra-Chron of 1967, the new timepiece brings back one of the brand’s milestone designs in an updated, refined form.
Source: www.timeandwatches.com
A legacy of high-frequency innovation
The name Ultra-Chron holds special significance in the history of Longines. When introduced in 1967, the collection became the brand’s first to feature an automatic movement running at a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour. The calibre 431, derived from the experimental Calibre 360 of 1959, offered outstanding precision and stability, setting new standards for chronometry in serially produced watches.
The revival of the Ultra-Chron began in 2022, when Longines reissued the 1968 diver’s variant, followed by the Ultra-Chron Carbon in 2025. Those sportier models paid tribute to the high-beat diver’s design of the late 1960s. The latest release, however, takes inspiration directly from the 1967 Ultra-Chron Classic, embracing a more formal aesthetic.
Design and proportions
The Ultra-Chron Classic remains faithful to the elegant mid-century look of the original. Its domed sunray-finished dial captures the light with a subtle metallic sheen, while the trapezoidal date window at 3 o’clock recalls the 1967 layout. The case has been reinterpreted in contemporary dimensions - available in 37 mm and 40 mm - to suit modern tastes without losing its vintage charm.
The stainless steel case features polished and satin-finished surfaces, complemented by faceted lugs that highlight Longines’ attention to detail. The watch offers water resistance of 50 metres, doubling the specification of the original model.
Movement and performance
Powering the new Ultra-Chron Classic is the Longines calibre L836, an in-house high-frequency automatic movement operating at 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz) and delivering a 52-hour power reserve. The movement’s elevated oscillation rate improves stability and precision, staying true to the technical spirit of the Ultra-Chron legacy.
Certified precision
As with its historical predecessors, accuracy lies at the core of the Ultra-Chron identity. Each watch is certified by TIMELAB in Geneva as a Chronometer, meeting the stringent requirements of ISO 3159. Unlike many certifications that test movements only, TIMELAB assesses fully assembled watches over a 15-day period in five positions and at three different temperatures (–8°C, 23°C and 38°C).
This independent certification ensures the entire watch meets the performance criteria of a true chronometer, confirming its high-beat precision under real-world conditions.
A contemporary tribute to a 1960s legend
The Longines Ultra-Chron Classic celebrates one of the brand’s most technically significant creations. With its faithful design cues, upgraded specifications and officially certified precision, it bridges past and present in a distinctly refined package.
More than a simple reissue, the new model reflects Longines’ enduring mastery of high-frequency horology - a reminder that innovation and accuracy have always been at the heart of the winged-hourglass emblem.
