Longines Ultra-Chron Classic automatic silver dial steel bracelet 40 mm

Ultra-Chron: A Legacy of Precision

The history of Longines is closely tied to the pursuit of precision, a value that has shaped its reputation since the early 20th century. In 1910, the winged hourglass brand filed a patent for a pocket chronograph capable of measuring 1/10th of a second — an extraordinary feat for the time, made possible by a movement beating at 5 Hz (10 vibrations per second). This innovation marked the beginning of a long tradition in the field of high-frequency watchmaking.

In 1959, Longines reached a decisive milestone with the development of the Calibre 360, the first 5 Hz wristwatch movement, specifically designed for observatory competitions. This rectangular calibre achieved exceptional performance: in the chronometry competitions at the Neuchâtel Observatory, it recorded a daily deviation of less than 1/10th of a second, taking first and second place in 1961 and dominating again in 1962. This mastery proved that high frequency was not just a technical feat, but a practical means of improving stability and rate regularity, particularly in the face of shocks, positional changes, or temperature variations.

Building on this success, Longines decided to adapt this advanced technology for large-scale production. In 1967, the brand unveiled the Ultra-Chron, the first mass-produced high-frequency automatic wristwatch, equipped with the Calibre 431 featuring patented dry lubrication and an instantaneous jumping date. Its performance was so remarkable that the brand guaranteed an accuracy of ±2 seconds per day, or one minute per month, far exceeding the requirements of conventional chronometer certifications. The following year, the Ultra-Chron Diver became one of the first high-frequency dive watches, proving that precision could go hand in hand with robustness.

This dedication to chronometry helped establish Longines as one of the great names in sports timekeeping, whether in alpine skiing, equestrian competitions, or other disciplines where fractions of a second are decisive.

Nearly six decades later, Longines reaffirms this heritage. Following the acclaimed return of the Ultra-Chron Diver in 2022, the brand unveiled in 2025 the Ultra-Chron Classic, a faithful re-edition of the 1967 reference 7827. This revival does more than simply resurrect a heritage design: it is powered by the exclusive Calibre L836.6, introduced in 2022, featuring a silicon balance spring, enhanced magnetic resistance, and full-watch chronometer certification by TIMELAB in accordance with the ISO 3159 standard.

The Ultra-Chron Classic thus embodies the philosophy of Longines: honoring the past without renouncing contemporary innovation. It proves that a design born in the 1960s, when combined with today’s technical standards, can offer collectors and enthusiasts an authentic watchmaking experience with exemplary precision.

Revisited Vintage Design

The Ultra-Chron Classic 40 mm is a contemporary reinterpretation of the 1967 icon, designed for those seeking a more assertive presence on the wrist without compromising the collection’s heritage DNA. Longines has successfully struck a balance between respect for historical design and subtle adaptation to today’s aesthetic standards.

At first glance, the 40 mm stainless-steel case, still with a slim 10.95 mm profile, delivers a more modern character and a bolder presence while retaining the finesse and elegance of the original model. This slightly larger diameter, combined with a 47.2 mm lug-to-lug length, appeals to enthusiasts of contemporary proportions and gives the watch a more pronounced presence on the wrist.

The domed, sunray-brushed silver dial, a visual signature of the Ultra-Chron line, captures the light with subtle reflections that recall the charm of the 1967 model. The central crosshair, a hallmark of mid-century horological design, structures the dial and gives it a distinctly vintage character.

At 6 o’clock sits the historic applied Ultra-Chron logo, delicately polished and slightly raised, while at 12 o’clock proudly stands the iconic Longines winged hourglass. These applied elements add depth and testify to the attention to detail, while strengthening the direct link with the original piece.

The faceted applied rhodium-polished hour markers and baton hands are filled with black lacquer — a deliberate choice to respect the period aesthetic, embracing the absence of luminescence to preserve the watch’s refined heritage character.

The trapezoidal date window at 3 o’clock, featuring the historic typography of the Calibre 431, blends harmoniously with the design, underlining the faithful tribute to the original model. The whole is protected by a box-shaped sapphire crystal, domed like the acrylic crystals of the era but treated with a multi-layer anti-reflective coating on both sides, ensuring excellent legibility and durability.

The solid screw-down caseback bears the historic Ultra-Chron logo and the engraving “Chronometer officially certified,” a reminder of the chronometric standard that has always defined this collection.
Water resistance, rated at 5 bar (50 m), provides adequate protection for everyday use.

As a natural extension of the case, the multi-link stainless-steel bracelet proudly expresses its 1960s retro inspiration. Its alternating brushed and polished links subtly catch the light and enhance the watch’s refined appearance.
The widened 21 mm lug width, tailored to this 40 mm diameter, contributes to a sense of stability and visual balance on the wrist.
Its double-folding safety clasp with a micro-adjustment system ensures a precise fit and optimal comfort for everyday wear.

Every detail of this 40 mm version has been designed to deliver a contemporary wearing experience while paying tribute to the 1967 design. The Ultra-Chron Classic 40 mm on a steel bracelet impresses with its assertive presence, strong heritage character, and seamless dialogue between past and present.

High-Frequency Calibre L836.6

The heart of the Ultra-Chron Classic beats with the exclusive Longines automatic Calibre L836.6, a direct heir to the brand’s century-long expertise in high-frequency watchmaking.

Introduced in 2022 for the re-edition of the Ultra-Chron Diver, the Calibre L836.6 perpetuates the spirit of the legendary 1967 Calibre 431 while integrating state-of-the-art innovations.
Beating at a high rate of 5 Hz (36,000 vibrations per hour) — ten oscillations of the balance wheel per second — it ensures superior rate stability, as deviations caused by shocks, positional changes, or accelerations are corrected more rapidly than with traditional 3 Hz or 4 Hz movements.

At the core of this movement, the silicon balance spring is one of its most significant features. Lighter and unaffected by temperature fluctuations or magnetic fields, it provides the calibre with magnetic resistance ten times higher than the ISO 764 standard. This ensures not only lasting precision but also dependable performance in the face of modern environmental challenges.

The Calibre L836.6 also delivers a comfortable 52-hour power reserve, more than sufficient for al