Longines’ Ultra-Chron Classic is a high-beat blast from the past
Jamie Weiss- Longines revives the original Ultra-Chron from 1967 with this 2025 release.
- It’s a highly faithful re-edition, available in either a period-appropriate 37mm or a more modern 40mm.
- Its high-beat movement is TIMELAB-certified, a more stringent chronometer testing standard than COSC.
Longines isn’t the first name that comes to mind when you think about high-beat mechanical watches – you’re more likely to say Zenith or Grand Seiko – which is a bit unfair, all things considered. As early as 1910, Longines had patented a 1/10th of a second (i.e. 5Hz) stopwatch, and in 1916, produced a 50Hz stopwatch. In 1967 (two years before the El Primero!), Longines launched its Ultra-Chron collection: its inaugural reference, the 7827, was the first high-beat watch produced in large volumes, and guaranteed an accuracy of two seconds a day – outstanding for the time and impressive even today.
In 2022, Longines revived the Ultra-Chron collection with the cushion-cased ref. L2.836.4.52, which was modelled after the Ultra-Chron Diver ref. 7970 from 1968 – but in 2025, Longines has brought back the original 7827 with the Ultra-Chron Classic, which is an uncannily faithful retro re-edition that’s a potent reminder for the watch-collecting public just how much heritage and how innovative Longines as a brand has been over the years.
At first glance, the Ultra-Chron Classic really does look like it’s straight out of the 1960s. A thick, domed crystal; a sector dial with polished indices; those applied logos and dial text; even the all-silver colour scheme – it all just screams 60s. It’s the kind of watch your dad or grandpa might’ve worn, although subtle state-of-the-art updates like a sapphire crystal and micro-adjustment in the folding clasp belie its true age.
Like the original 7827, you can have the Ultra-Chron Classic in a 37mm diameter (well, strictly speaking, the 7827 was 35mm but 37mm with the crown – close enough), but Longines is also offering the Ultra-Chron Classic in 40mm, which is perhaps more to contemporary tastes. Regardless of which diameter you opt for, both come in at a relatively svelte 10.5mm thick, and are available on either a black alligator leather strap with a pin buckle or a fittingly retro five-link bracelet.
The movement’s not a new one – it’s the same calibre L836.6 which powers the Ultra-Chron and Ultra-Chron Carbon – but it’s a great little movement nonetheless. Like the OG Ultra-Chron, it too offers a 5Hz beat rate, but benefits from a modern silicon balance spring and a 52-hour power reserve.
It’s chronometer-certified, but not by COSC: instead, Longines submits these Ultra-Chrons to TIMELAB. For those not familiar with the organisation, it’s the same government body that administers the Poinçon de Genève, and it operates the Observatoire Chronométrique de Genève. Like COSC, it tests to the ISO 3159 standard for chronometers, but unlike COSC, it tests the whole watch and not just the movement, and therefore tests for things like water and magnetic resistance. It also has more stringent accuracy requirements, allowing only a variance of 8.57 seconds per day, rather than COSC, which allows for -4/+6 seconds per day.
Closing thoughts
I think many watch fans forget just how many firsts Longines is responsible for in watchmaking, or how ‘legit’ they are when it comes to so many different elements of horology. The first dual time watch, the first watch with a rotating bezel, the first water-resistant chronograph… All Longines. And they have legitimacy in the high-beat watchmaking discussion, too. Perhaps the Ultra-Chron Classic will remind people of that. I think it helps that it so uncannily looks like a watch from the 60s – it’s a real time capsule – just without the fragility of a vintage watch, and enough quality-of-life updates to make it competitive against other modern dressy dailies.
Longines Ultra-Chron Classic pricing and availability
The Longines Ultra-Chron Carbon is available now from Longines dealers. Price: A$5,825 (on leather), A$6,000 (on bracelet)
| Brand | Longines |
| Model | Ultra-Chron Classic |
| Reference | L2.537.4.72.2 (37mm, leather) L2.537.4.72.6 (37mm, bracelet) L2.937.4.72.2 (40mm, leather) L2.937.4.72.6 (40mm, bracelet) |
| Case Dimensions | 37mm (D) x 10.5mm (T) 40mm (D) x 10.5mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Silver sunray |
| Lug Width | 19mm (37mm models) 21mm (40mm models) |
| Strap | Black alligator leather strap with steel pin buckle Stainless steel bracelet with double-folding safety clasp and push-piece opening mechanism; micro-adjustable |
| Movement | L836.6, ETA C07.8XX base, high-beat automatic, TIMELAB-certified |
| Power Reserve | 52 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$5,825 (on leather) A$6,000 (on bracelet) |