Presenting the new Longines Ultra-Chron watch

Back in 1968, Longines introduced the sporty Ultra-Chron Diver – the first diver’s watch ever to be powered with a high-frequency movement. In addition to a turning bezel, the tonneau-shaped watch was fitted with a bright-red minute hand as well as tritium-filled index mark on the dial hand and triangle on the bezel so to allow divers to track their bottom time accurately. A few decades later – during the second half of last year, to be exact – the 190-year-old Swiss watchmaker announced the return of the field of high-frequency watchmaking by reviving the 1968 model.

The new Ultra-Chron Diver offers more than just the iconic design codes of its ancestor. Beating at the heart is the calibre L836.6, an exclusive high-beat movement oscillating at a whopping 36,000 beats per second (10 beats per second) and features an anti-magnetic hairspring and a 52-hour power reserve. Thanks to the reduction of the disruptive effects of shocks, or of changes in the position of the movement, the high-beat movement proves to be more stable. If you don’t already known, Longines is working with TIMELAB, an independent testing laboratory in Geneva, to make sure its watches achieve the chronometer certification for accuracy, asserting that they meet the strict ISO3159:2009 standard.

On the aesthetic front, there are some updates. Located at 3 o’clock on the watch face of the 1968 model, the date window has been eliminated for a clean, symmetrical layout which in turn gives the watch a sleeker edge. The cushion-shaped steel case, finished with brushed and polished surfaces, has been slightly increased from 41mm to 43mm. Sitting at a height of 13.6mm, it remains proportionate for a large watch, allowing it to rest comfortably on any wrist sizes.

Another noticeable difference is on the dial, which features a black grained finish – accentuated by the “Ultra-Chron” logo at 6 o’clock – presenting vintage sensibilities to the new watch. The dial is contrasted with a rhodium-plated hour hand and a red minute hand that are filled with Super-LumiNova for visibility in darkness, not to mention a striking red seconds to match the bold ethos. Surrounding it is the highly scratch-resistant unidirectional rotating bezel with matching colour scheme, and luminescent accents. The screwed-in caseback and crown provides an effective water resistance of 300 metres.

The Longines Ultra-Chron comes in two configurations. The first option is a stainless steel bracelet and the second is a brown leather strap, and it is delivered in a special wooden presentation box along with a recycled black NATO strap.

Discover more on www.longines.com.