{"id":40116,"date":"2022-06-01T12:00:02","date_gmt":"2022-06-01T10:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/?p=40116"},"modified":"2022-06-17T20:47:10","modified_gmt":"2022-06-17T18:47:10","slug":"the-longines-ultra-chron-2022-high-frequency-watch-hands-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.horbiter.com\/en\/the-longines-ultra-chron-2022-high-frequency-watch-hands-on\/","title":{"rendered":"The Longines Ultra Chron 2022 high-frequency watch hands-on"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Longines Ultra Chron<\/strong> name may equally sound bizarre or familiar and trigger opposite reactions: surprise to those not \u201cin the know\u201d<\/em> or a rare mixture of admiration and relief to all the brand\u2019s die-hard fans eagerly waiting for new timepieces on par with Longines<\/strong>\u2018 noble history and unrivalled leadership in precision sports timekeeping. The Spirit Zulu Time<\/strong><\/a> has been in the headlines so far and holds as the primary commercial launch of 2022<\/strong>; in contrast, the new Longines Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0is a niche product carrying the brand under the loupe from a technical perspective. The GMT<\/strong> is contemporary, while the latter is quintessentially vintage at heart; they sit on opposite sides of the spectrum while driving Longines<\/strong> into a new market category.<\/p>\n

\"longines<\/p>\n

High Frequency at Longines<\/h2>\n

Raise your hand if you\u2019d link Longines<\/strong> to high-frequency mechanical movements; here is a hidden gem you discover while visiting the brand\u2019s museum in<\/strong> St.Imier<\/strong><\/a>, as I did on a trip to Switzerland<\/strong> in 2016<\/strong>. That place collects a century or so of the brand\u2019s endless pursuit to measure one-hundredth of a second along with several devices adopted to time several sports events where Longines<\/strong> was appointed as the official timekeeper. The above mentioned period dates back to the first half of the 20th century and fostered the production of high-frequency wristwatches since the late fifties. The Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0is the landing point of a development project whose original outcome hit the market in 1959<\/strong>. The marketing department picked a specific model from that era, the 1968 Ultra Chron Diver<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Longines<\/p>\n

The new release somehow turns the museum inside out; it seems the long-gone technological prowess is popping out of the displays to make Longines<\/strong> the brand it used to be. According to the official timeline, the original Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0Diver<\/strong> was nine years in the making since the first high-frequency 360-calibre-equipped Chronometer <\/strong>came out.<\/p>\n

Design and source of inspiration<\/h2>\n

I think the Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0Diver<\/strong> is an excellent format combining high-frequency technology with a sports watch livery. By adding the nostalgia factor to a 300-meter water-resistant <\/strong>divers\u2019 watch, Longines<\/strong> packed a solid technical, aesthetic and aspirational product proposition.<\/p>\n

\"Longines<\/p>\n

The unidirectional rotating bezel features a sapphire crystal inlay.<\/h3>\n

A fine sapphire crystal inlay replaces the old-but-gold bakelite bezel\u2019s insert; in this regard, Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0joins legendary timepieces like the contemporary Omega PloProf<\/strong> and the respected Blancpain <\/strong>Fifty Fathoms<\/strong>. Up close and ideally placing old and new ones on a tray, I would have gone for a slimmer bezel to broaden the dial, as brilliantly exemplified by the 1968<\/strong> model.<\/p>\n

\"Longines<\/p>\n

The above detail apart, the new recipe adopts the Longines<\/strong> \u201cHeritage\u201d treatment as expected: baton hands, indexes and Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0logo mimic as faithfully as possible the original model. How much does a Longines Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0measure? The case is 43 mm<\/strong> across and 13,60 mm<\/strong> high, including the slightly cambered sapphire crystal, whose shape affects the full size. The watch weighs 121,7 grams<\/strong> on a strap and 185,7<\/strong> grams<\/strong> on a steel bracelet.<\/p>\n

\"Longines<\/p>\n

However, here is a 300-meter water-resistant<\/strong> watch. Interestingly, I won\u2019t entirely approve the bracelet options; Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0comes with a full steel bracelet and a replacement NATO<\/strong> strap but not with a tropical rubber strap as standard, which is the most desirable option on a timepiece this vintage looking. You can opt for an exquisite suede leather strap on a tang buckle.<\/p>\n

\"Longines<\/p>\n

The new Longines calibre L836.<\/span><\/h2>\n

Please welcome a new contender in high-frequency mechanical watchmaking. The L836.6 calibre<\/strong> housed in the Longines Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0cushion case helps make the Longines Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0an \u201cUltra-Chronometer\u201d<\/em>. In brief, according to the brand\u2019s official release, the new collection is independently tested by Swiss laboratory Timelab<\/strong> to meet the Chronometer Certificate criteria on the whole watch instead of parts as envisioned by the COSC<\/strong> certification test instead.<\/p>\n

However, we\u2019re eager to find out more and get further details uncovered by the brand. Once fully wound, the watch can run for 52 hours<\/strong>. It adopts a silicon hairspring and, as a consequence, it offers a five-year extended warranty<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Longines<\/p>\n

Prices and options<\/h2>\n

The Longines Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0will come in two variants, either on a bracelet with folding clasp and safety push-buttons, priced at 3,340 euros<\/strong> or with a strap retailing at 3,080 euros<\/strong>, referenced as L28364526<\/strong> and L28364522<\/strong>, respectively. The watch is also available as a \u201cSpecial Box\u201d, including a replacement NATO strap<\/strong> made of recycled material. The box retails for 3,590<\/strong> euros<\/strong> and 3,390 euros<\/strong>, respectively.<\/p>\n

Final thoughts<\/h2>\n

I think Longines<\/strong> nailed with the new Ultra Chron<\/strong>, an exciting new offering for the product segment and the watch market, and helps extend high-frequency watches to a larger community of aficionados. The formula is a modern take on the original 1968 Diver<\/strong>, whose pedigree will help boost the brand\u2019s awareness; I see a consistent new communication and re-positioning as exemplified by a dedicated web page you can reach by hitting this link<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Longines<\/p>\n

Details like the historic Ultra Chron<\/strong>\u00a0logo, the red minute baton hand, the applied indexes and the grained surface finish are a nod to the 1968<\/strong> model and here is why I feel a few more ingredients are missing to make the recipe even better. Again, a \u201ctropical\u201d rubber strap is a must-have, especially considering we\u2019re approaching the summer holidays; the cushion case usually matches a rubber strap well. Finally, I\u2019m eager to discover how the collection will enlarge; a new chronograph would be welcome moving forward.<\/p>\n