Longines Ultra-Cron Diver Watches

Longines has launched a new, modern take on its historic high-beat diver’s watch, which debuted in 1968. The Ultra-Chron Diver is a hot topic, and this is the first time Longines is presenting in its current collection a model equipped with a mechanical high-beat automatic movement at 10 oscillations per second (5 Hz). It is an ambitious endeavor that stands out. Let’s see what kind of product it is.

Ultra-Chron is an abbreviation for Ultra-Chronometer, which means performance that exceeds chronometers. In the late 1960s,replica Longines found a solution for the ultra-chronometer in high-beat (high-vibration) design. At that time, before the mass production of quartz watches, the most realistic alternative was to increase the frequency based on the design of a traditional mechanical movement. If the chronometer HF (Gyromatic) announced in 1966 by Gerard-Perigo became an inflection point that drew attention to the possibility of a high-beat movement again, the El Primero announced by Zenith in 1969 has survived as a representative icon of the high-beat movement and is still present today. is coming On the other hand, Longines surprised industry insiders in 1968 with an unexpected diver’s watch (Ref. 7970) with a high-beat automatic movement (Cal. 431). At the same time, Seiko also released the first Hi-Beat Diver’s Watch (Ref. 6159), so it can be seen that the commercialization of the mechanical Hi-Beat movement was one of the big issues in the industry at the time.
A pocket chronograph with split-second function equipped with a 19.73N high-beat caliber of 5 Hz (balanced 36,000 vibrations per hour), which was unprecedented at the time, capable of measuring down to 1/10th of a second.
Pocket chronograph equipped with a whopping 50 Hz (balanced 360,000 vibrations per hour) high-beat caliber capable of measuring down to 1/100th of a second. The frequency of 50 Hz is a very rare number that is hard to come across from any other manufacturer of the time, and it is a stark example of how pioneering and innovative the manufacturer Longines was in the field of chronograph manufacturing.
It is a three-pusher-type stopwatch modified by adding a chronograph module and improving the 24-renew caliber (24.99), originally made for marine chronometers, to high vibration (5 Hz). has been recognized
It is a high-beat chronograph that can measure down to tenths of a second and is equipped with a 260 caliber that is an improved version of the previous-generation 24 Renew Caliber, and supports flyback and split-second functions. The distinctive sporty dial configuration and design stand out.
Instead of a chronograph, the brand’s first wristwatch version was equipped with a simple three-hands and rectangular high-beat (5 Hz) caliber 360. Only 200 pieces were produced from 1959 to 1963, and it was submitted to the chronometer competition of the Neuchatel Observatory in Switzerland in 1961, winning first and second places side by side. For reference, before wristwatches, Longines participated in several chronometer competitions with a watch equipped with a 360 caliber even in the form of a table clock, winning major divisions.
A watch equipped with a high-beat (5 Hz) caliber 431 with a date function. It was the first ultra-cron model with a distinctive symbol symbolizing high vibration and ultra-cron notation on the dial, and it also influenced the launch of sporty diver models. At that time, the 431 caliber was even certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Institute (COSC), enhancing its reputation.
But looking back historically, Longines has been offering a wide range of high-beat watches since the early 20th century. Although it was mainly limited to stopwatches specially made for various equestrian events and alpine skiing, cycling and motorsport events in which Longines participated as a timing partner (timekeeper), it was not a difficult task, at least for Longines. can be found. It is also a glimpse into Longines’ early strategic use of high-vibration design to target chronometer-class performance and beyond. In other words, the series of ultra-cron models that appeared in the late 1960s should not be seen as a result of sudden announcements driven by a trend, but as an example of Longines’ steady experiments in developing high-beat movements that led to commercialization due to the demands of the times.
Manufactured in 1967 and released early the following year, it meets modern diver’s watch standards with its sporty appearance, as well as a unidirectional rotating bezel and water resistance to 200 meters. Inside Longines’ signature three-hand configuration, the high-beat automatic caliber 431 beats vigorously.
New for 2022, the Longines Ultra-Cron Diver can be seen as a re-issue (reprint) edition that is a faithful reproduction of the original 1968 model. The distinctive cushion-type case, as well as the rotating bezel and dial details, have been preserved as they are from the original. The polished and brushed stainless steel case measures 43mm in diameter and 13.6mm thick, and its screw-down crown and caseback design ensure water resistance to 300m. The unidirectional rotating bezel uses a sapphire insert to prevent scratches, while the black lacquered lower disc is coated with Super-LumiNova to replace the diving scale.
The black dial is matt-grained, with indexes and colored baton hands reminiscent of razor blades of the same design as the original Ultra-Cron diver from the 1960s. The brand logo design includes a winged hourglass, and the automatic cursive font, Ultra-Cron appliqué symbol and logo designation are perfectly reproduced from the original. One difference is the presence or absence of a date window. Unlike the original, the re-issue model boldly omitted the date window. Meanwhile, a box-shaped sapphire crystal that reproduces the original plexiglass is used, and both sides are treated with anti-reflection coating to ensure sufficient readability from any angle, even under deep water.
The movement is equipped with the new automatic caliber L836.6. Significant modifications were made, including upgrading the ETA base to a high-beat design that vibrates at 36,000 beats per hour (5 Hz), replacing it with a state-of-the-art silicon balance spring that is immune to magnetic fields and temperature changes. For reference, the power reserve is 52 hours. In keeping with the status of the Ultra-Cron caliber, we provide the watch with a chronometer certification document that it has passed the more stringent tests than the COSC standard by Timelab, an independent testing laboratory in Geneva.
As a professional diver’s watch, the movement is not exposed in the form of a steel caseback, but the original Longines Ultra-Cron symbol and phrase are specially engraved in the center of the caseback, adding to its collectible value. Also, don’t forget to laser engraving the words ‘Ultra-Chronometer Officially Certified’ on one side of the caseback.fake watches
Longines Ultra-Cron Diver continues to be released as a regular model rather than a limited edition. .836.4.52.6) is 4.7 million won, and the box configuration (Ref. L2.836.4.52.8) that additionally provides a replaceable black NATO strap based on a brown leather strap is 4.7 million won, and a steel bracelet The box configuration (Ref. L2.836.4.52.9) that additionally provides a black NATO strap made of recycled material based on recycled material is priced at 5 million won each.