Longines Ultra-Chron Classic automatic silver dial leather strap 40 mm

Ultra-Chron: A Legacy of Precision

The history of Longines is closely intertwined with the pursuit of precision, a value that has shaped the brand’s reputation since the early 20th century. In 1910, the winged hourglass manufacture filed a patent for a pocket chronograph capable of measuring 1/10th of a second—an extraordinary achievement 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 by developing the Calibre 360, the first 5 Hz wristwatch movement, specially 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 again dominating in 1962. This mastery demonstrated that high frequency was not merely a technical feat, but a practical way to improve stability and rate regularity, especially in the face of shocks, positional changes, and temperature variations.

Building on this success, Longines decided to adapt this cutting-edge 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 such that the brand guaranteed an accuracy of ±2 seconds per day—one minute per month—far surpassing the requirements of traditional chronometer certifications. The following year, the Ultra-Chron Diver became one of the first high-frequency diving watches, proving that precision could go hand-in-hand with robustness.

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

Nearly six decades later, Longines reaffirms this heritage. After the acclaimed return of the Ultra-Chron Diver in 2022, the brand introduced in 2025 the Ultra-Chron Classic, a faithful re-edition of the 1967 reference 7827. This revival does more than simply bring back a historic 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 paired 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 who seek a stronger presence on the wrist without sacrificing the heritage DNA of the collection. Longines has found the right balance between respect for historical design and a subtle adaptation to today’s aesthetic standards.

At first glance, the 40 mm stainless-steel case, still contained within a slim 10.95 mm profile, asserts 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 lends the watch a more confident presence on the wrist.

The domed, sunray-brushed silver dial, a visual signature of the Ultra-Chron line, captures the light with subtle reflections reminiscent of the charm of the 1967 model. The central crosshair, a hallmark of mid-century watchmaking design, structures the dial and gives it an immediately recognizable 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 famous winged hourglass of Longines. These applied elements add depth and testify to the meticulous attention to detail, reinforcing the direct link with the original piece.

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

The trapezoidal date window at 3 o’clock, adorned with the historic typography of the Calibre 431, integrates harmoniously into the overall design, underscoring the faithful homage to the original model. The entire display is protected by a box-shaped sapphire crystal, domed like the acrylic crystals of the era, but enhanced with a multi-layer anti-reflective coating on both sides for optimal legibility and durability.

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

The black alligator leather strap lends the Ultra-Chron Classic a distinctly dressier character, in perfect harmony with the heritage spirit of the model.
Its pronounced natural grain and deep tone highlight the elegance of the silver dial while adding a touch of timeless classicism. The polished steel heritage-style pin buckle, inspired by clasps of the 1960s, completes the vintage look and ensures a secure and comfortable fit on the wrist.
Supple and pleasant to wear, this leather strap offers a more refined and formal alternative to the steel bracelet while remaining faithful to the historical spirit of the collection.

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 leather strap stands out for its understated elegance, strong heritage character, and harmonious blend of past and present.

High-Frequency Calibre L836.6

At the heart of the Ultra-Chron Classic beats 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 cutting-edge innovations.
Beating at a rapid 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 in traditional 3 Hz or 4 Hz movements.

At the core of this movement, the silicon balance spring is one of its greatest assets. Lighter and unaffected by temperature variations or magnetic fields, it provides the calibre with magnetic resistance ten times higher than the ISO 764 standard. This guarantees 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 alternating between watches without the need for frequent winding.

Another notable distinction: unlike conventional certifications that apply only to the movement, the Ultra-Chron Classic is certified as a chronometer by TIMELAB in accordance with the ISO 3159 standard after tests conducted on the fully assembled watch.
For 15 days, the watch undergoes rigorous trials: positioned in various orientations and exposed to three different temperatures (8 °C, 23 °C, and 38 °C), it must maintain exemplary precision.
This process ensures that chronometric excellence is guaranteed not only in the laboratory but also in real-world conditions.

With this movement, the Ultra-Chron Classic does more than simply honor its past: it revives the promise that made the original collection a success—certified, enduring precision worthy of a true “Ultra-Chronometer.”