Longines UltraChron Automatic

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SKU AS01406
SKU AS01406

Why We Love it

We receive many requests for vintage dress watches here at the analog/shift headquarters. While collectors and enthusiasts understand the need for a strong vintage sports watch, dress pieces--with their smaller case sizes--have been off their radar for some time. Now that smaller, more delicate timepieces are becoming popular again, choosing one that offers a good blend of looks, construction, history, and originality can be a daunting task. 

The challenge lies (as with any vintage watch) in finding a good one. Years of neglect, damage, and over-restoration can make finding a suitable timepiece a burden. In our minds, there are few minimum requirements for a proper dress piece: a svelte case design, clean looks, a solid movement, and originality. 

Longines is a brand that needs no introduction. It was a staple of the Swiss watchmaking industry throughout the 20th century. They are well-known for their broad assortment of models and designs, as well as their masterful--and iconic--chronographs, like the 13ZN. 

The Longines UltraChron is a watch that ticks all the boxes that we require of a proper vintage dress piece. Introduced in the late 1960s and produced for only six years, the UltraChron is an early attempt by the brand to mass-produce a mechanical watch that, according to their advertisements, was "the world's most accurate watch... guaranteed accurate to within one minute per month." This was achieved with the hi-beat Caliber 431 movement, which had a beat rate of 36,000 beats per hour.

"Hi-beat" in the early 1960s meant 18,000 bph, a standard that was not surpassed until 1966, when Girard-Perregaux came out with the Gyromatic. The higher beat rate of the Gyromatic (36,000 bph) posed a problem in terms of design and lubrication. In hi-beat movements like Girard-Perregaux's, the balance wheel is smaller and there are twenty-one teeth on the escape wheel instead of fifteen. The mainspring is also thicker, which means that the mainspring barrel itself must be larger to accommodate it. What this means is that in higher-beat calibers, traditional lubricants simply wouldn't stick, resulting in increased friction and, in turn, a shorter service interval.  

To counter this problem, Longines produced a hi-beat movement of their own in 1967, to commemorate their centennial as a company. Like Girard-Perregaux's Gyromatic, the Longines Caliber 461 beat at 36,000 bph. However, Longines solved the problem of lubrication by coating the escape wheel teeth with a dry lubricant they dubbed "molybdenum bi-sulphide." 

Hi-beat movements of this era, without a doubt, represent the pinnacle of horological achievement in mechanical movements. Before the Quartz Revolution, it was next to impossible to achieve that level of accuracy in a mechanical movement--until the hi-beat movements came onto the scene. While the Caliber 461 might have been overshadowed in later years by the hi-beat calibers produced by Zenith, for example, it's an excellent example of just how dependable these movements can be. 

As far looks go, the UltraChron has it all: a svelte, thin gold-filled case with sharp, beveled lugs; a crisp, silver dial with a sunburst finish; and a funky, asymmetrical date window. The UltraChron went through several different design configurations in its short run, with those from the late-1960s and early 1970s designs being more bulky than the earlier executions. While we love a good cushion case, there's something undeniably elegant about this early UltraChron that would make it an excellent contender for a vintage dress watch. 

A:S Guarantee

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Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

Shipping & Returns

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All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

Longines UltraChron Automatic

Longines UltraChron Automatic

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Longines UltraChron Automatic

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