High-Beat
Earlier this year, when Longines unveiled the Ultra-Chron Classic in New York City, I couldn’t help but smile. On my wrist was my own 1969 Ultra-Chron ref. 8024—the same model that introduced the groundbreaking Calibre 431, the high-frequency movement that made Longines a pioneer in precision timekeeping. In our previous story, The World’s Most Accurate Watch: The Longines Ultra-Chron and the Calibre 431, we traced that legacy from the observatory trials of the 1950s to the commercial debut of the Ultra-Chron in 1967. Now, the story continues with a modern re-edition that feels every bit as authentic—and every bit as determined to keep perfect time.
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A Legacy of Speed and Precision
Longines’ history with high-frequency watchmaking predates even the quartz revolution it helped inspire. The story begins with the Calibre 360, a 5Hz hand-wound movement developed for observatory chronometer competitions in the late 1950s. That research culminated in the Calibre 431, a self-winding movement running at 36,000 vibrations per hour, notable for its dry-lubrication system and exceptional stability.
When the first Ultra-Chron debuted in 1967, Longines guaranteed accuracy of within one minute per month — or roughly two seconds per day — far exceeding chronometer standards of the era. For collectors and engineers alike, the name “Ultra-Chron” became synonymous with precision.
The new Ultra-Chron Classic takes that same ethos and packages it for the modern wrist, complete with a high-frequency calibre, period-correct design, and a quiet sense of purpose.
Key Features of the new Longines Ultra-Chron Classic
The Return of a Classic Form
Longines has long mastered the art of the reissue, but the Ultra-Chron Classic feels especially sincere. It’s available in 37mm and 40mm cases, both slim at just 10.95mm thick and crafted in stainless steel with a crisp mix of brushed and polished surfaces.
The geometry remains faithful to the 1967 model—angular, compact, and purposeful—topped by a box-shaped sapphire crystal that bends the light like vintage acrylic. Beneath it, the silver sunray-brushed dial offers a masterclass in restraint: a crosshair centre, applied faceted markers filled with black lacquer, and no lume to disturb the symmetry.
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Even the typography feels right — from the vintage Longines winged-hourglass to the bold Ultra-Chron script and trapezoidal date aperture. It’s 95% vintage accuracy, 5% modern refinement.
Of the two sizes, the 37mm stands out, at least for me. Its proportions better echo the 35mm original, and the dial feels more cohesive. The 40mm version offers contemporary presence, but the smaller case captures the vintage soul of the piece—especially when worn on the strap.
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Movement and Performance
Inside beats the Longines Calibre L836.6, a 5Hz automatic movement derived from a heavily re-engineered ETA base and exclusive to Longines. It features a silicon balance spring, a 52-hour power reserve, and—crucially—TimeLab chronometer certification.
Rather than certifying only the movement, as COSC does, TimeLab tests the entire assembled watch for 15 days in multiple positions and temperatures (8°C, 23°C, and 38°C) in accordance with ISO 3159 standards. The result is a truly modern chronometer, echoing the same philosophy that guided Longines’ engineers in the 1960s: measurable, verified precision.
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Bracelet, Strap, and the Wearing Experience
The Ultra-Chron Classic can be fitted with either a multi-link steel bracelet or a black alligator strap. The bracelet, with its alternating brushed and polished links and micro-adjustable clasp, feels reassuringly solid and in keeping with the watch’s retro charm.
Either way, the Ultra-Chron Classic wears exactly as a faithful reissue should: balanced, discreet, and humming with high-beat energy.
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Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 37mm/39mm Diameter 44.6mm/47.2mm Lug to Lug 10.95mm Thick 19mm/21mm Lug Width Screwed Down Case Back & Crown 100m Water Resistance | |
| Dial & Crystal | Box Sapphire Crystal Sunray Grey Dial Applied Indices Baron-styled Hands Date Window at 3 | |
| Movement | L836.6 Ultra-Chronometer TimeLab Certified 5Hz 52 Hour Power Reserve | |
| Strap | Stainless Steel Bracelet, or Leather Strap |
Longines Ultra-Chron Classic 37mm and 40mm
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Final Thoughts
The Longines Ultra-Chron Classic is more than a nostalgic recreation. It’s a mechanical statement about the enduring value of precision. In an era where accuracy has been outsourced to quartz and satellites, Longines quietly reminds us that mechanical timekeeping—when executed with purpose—can still be both poetic and exacting.
Between the two, the 37mm version captures that balance best. It’s the closest spiritual descendant of the original, bridging my own 1969 ref. 8024 and this new generation of ultra-chronometers.
Longines didn’t just revive a design—it revived a heartbeat.
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Pricing & Availability
The Longines Ultra-Chron Classic, regardless of size, retails for $4800 CAD on the bracelet and $4600 CAD on the strap. Check them out on the brand website for more details.
About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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