Longines - Ultra-Chron - Sem preço de reserva - 7885-2 - Homem - 1969

Oferecido nesta leilão pela Second Vintage

The Longines Ultra-Chron stands as a monumental achievement in the history of precision timekeeping, introduced during an era when mechanical watchmaking was racing to achieve unprecedented accuracy. Powered by a sophisticated high-frequency movement beating at an astonishing 36,000 vibrations per hour, the Ultra-Chron was Longines' direct answer to the emerging electronic and quartz technologies of the late 1960s. This particular example pairs that legendary mechanical pedigree with a highly attractive, sophisticated grey aesthetic, offering collectors a compelling blend of horological significance and timeless mid-century design.

Brand: Longines
Model: Ultra-Chron
Reference Number: 7885-2
Serial Number: 50055572
Movement: Automatic Longines Caliber 431
Dial: Grey sunburst dial with applied indices, showing light age-consistent surface spotting and warm luminous patina
Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Stainless steel
Production Year: Circa 1969
Condition: Good vintage condition with honest case wear and attractive dial character

Dial and Hands
The dial presents a striking grey anthracite surface finished with a refined sunburst texture that catches the light beautifully from various angles. It features applied, faceted rectangular hour indices, complemented by the applied Longines winged hourglass logo at twelve o'clock and the distinctive applied Ultra-Chron lightning bolt emblem at six. The typography is crisp, with crisp serif lettering for the brand name and elegant script for the "Automatic" designation. A sharply framed date aperture sits at the three o'clock position. Upon close inspection, the dial exhibits light, evenly dispersed surface spotting and minor signs of aging across the clear coat, which provides a distinct vintage character without detracting from the overall sunburst effect. The classic baton hands and the square luminous plots situated at the outer edge of the indices have aged evenly to a handsome, warm creamy tone, displaying a highly attractive and cohesive patina.

Case and Crystal
The 35 mm stainless steel case features a classic round profile with elegant straight lugs. The polished bezel and case flanks transition smoothly into the polished lug tops. The case remains in good vintage condition, displaying honest signs of wear including superficial scratches, scuffs, and minor handling marks consistent with regular use over the decades, yet it retains well-defined lug profiles and its original structural integrity. The domed acrylic crystal presents clearly, shielding the dial effectively while exhibiting only minor, superficial handling marks that do not impede legibility. The screw-down stainless steel caseback is well-preserved, featuring crisp, legible factory engravings including the outer "WATERPROOF ANTIMAGNETIC SHOCK-ABSORBER SWISS MADE" text, alongside the exterior case numerals. The inner caseback proudly bears the Longines perlage finishing and the 7885-2 reference stamping.

Movement
Inside beats the historically significant Longines Caliber 431, a 17-jewel automatic movement renowned for its high-beat frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour. The movement presents beautifully in the macro photography, with clean bridges and a rotor clearly engraved with the Longines branding. The movement plate is sharply stamped with the caliber number "431" and the serial number 50055572, which accurately dates the production of this timepiece to approximately 1969. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The movement is in outstanding health, with timegrapher results showing an exceptional precision of +5 to +9 seconds per day with strong amplitude.

Strap
The watch is fitted with a handsome black leather strap featuring contrasting white stitching, which perfectly complements the grey and steel tones of the watch head. The strap is secured by a standard stainless steel pin buckle and shows minimal signs of wear, remaining supple and ready for immediate use.

Condition
This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. The stainless steel case displays honest, age-appropriate wear while maintaining a strong overall shape. The dial shows attractive, age-consistent surface spotting and a warm luminous patina that vintage enthusiasts often seek. The high-beat automatic movement is exceptionally well-preserved and running with outstanding precision.

Dimensions
35 mm case diameter (excluding the crown).

Remarks
This Longines Ultra-Chron is a superb representation of late 1960s horological ambition. The combination of the mesmerizing grey sunburst dial, the historically important Caliber 431 high-beat movement, and the excellent mechanical performance make this a highly desirable piece for any serious collector of vintage Swiss watchmaking.

History
Launched in 1967 to commemorate the centenary of the Longines brand, the Ultra-Chron was marketed as the world's most accurate watch. To achieve this bold claim, Longines developed the Caliber 431, a movement that operated at 36,000 vibrations per hour, twice the speed of standard mechanical watches of the era. This high-frequency design minimized the effects of shocks and positional variations on the balance wheel, resulting in chronometer-level accuracy that rivaled early electronic timepieces. The Ultra-Chron remains a proud milestone in Longines' rich history and a favorite among vintage watch aficionados.

Payment and Shipping
Payment must be completed within 1–3 days after purchase.
Your watch will be professionally and very securely packaged, and shipped with tracking and insurance for your peace of mind. We ship via fast express service, with typical delivery in 1–4 business days (destination dependent).
Please review all photos carefully before bidding. We strive to photograph each watch from multiple angles for the most accurate representation. The photos form an important part of the description.
As with all vintage watches, water resistance is not guaranteed.
The watch will be delivered in fully functional, working condition.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us after the auction ends.

/ Second Vintage

SKU: LON-LUX-0004