*NOS* 1970s Longines Ultra-Chron | Ref. 7851-1 | Hi-Beat 36000 | Cal.431

WHY IS THIS WATCH IMPORTANT

The narrative behind the Longines Ultra-Chron timepieces dates back to the late 1960s. The aim was to compete with the likes of Girard-Perregaux and Seiko, who had only just introduced watches with high-frequency movements. The Longines Ultra-Chron movement boasts an impressive 36,000 vibrations per hour, a revolutionary feat at the time, delivering superior chronometric precision. Accordingly, Longines advertisements proudly proclaimed the Ultra-Chron as the "most precise watch in the world."

This particular iteration of the Longines "Ultra Chron" boasts an elegant, unibody case with a slender, pillow-shaped design and an outer diameter of approximately 33mm. Its dial features a refined silver sunburst finish, complemented by thin, raised indices in black and polished steel. The time is indicated by polished steel stick-shaped hands, delicately accented with a black inlay. Finally, a practical date window is conveniently positioned at the 3 o'clock mark.

The Ultra-Chron is an important timepiece in the history of watchmaking, being a groundbreaking technical achievement with its high-frequency balance wheel and precise caliber.

CONDITION

The case is in unpolished New-Old-Stock condition, worn only to take some images, thick. The dial is in pristine condition as well, there are some hairlines in the case probably made during the handling of all these years, only visible at close inspection.

The bracelet is sharp and stiff as it should be.

The amplitude is 261° Rate +2s/d and Beat Error 0.0ms.

DETAILS

-This watch was photographed on a 6.9 inch / 175mm wrist.