Vintage Longines Ultra-Chron 8301 Crosshair Watch 1974 Serviced UK Warranty

SPECIFICATION

Reference: 8301
Movement: Longines Calibre 6651 automatic, 28,800 bph
Age: 1974
Case Size: 37mm
Case Thickness: 9.5mm
Lug to Lug: 42mm
Lugs: 18mm
Condition: Used vintage Longines watch
Box & Papers: No
Case Material: Stainless steel
Warranty: 12-Months Warranty UK only

POINTS TO MENTION

• In great preowned condition with light wear from use
• Case and bezel have some light scratches and marks
• Fully serviced high-beat automatic movement
• Dark grey/blue crosshair dial
• Longines signed crown
• Paired with an unworn black leather strap
  

THE WATCH

The Ultra-Chron came from one of the great races in mechanical watchmaking: the pursuit of accuracy through higher-frequency movements. Longines had been experimenting with high-frequency timekeeping for decades, but in 1967 it brought that thinking to the wrist with the Ultra-Chron.

What makes this example particularly appealing is how little it needs to advertise that engineering. The dark grey dial has a fine radial texture crossed by two simple lines, with applied markers, a framed date and the small Ultra-Chron emblem above six. It is precise and restrained, which feels entirely appropriate for a watch whose name was built around precision.

A BIT OF TRIVIA

Longines’ road to the Ultra-Chron began before the production wristwatch itself. In 1959 the company developed the 5 Hz Calibre 360 for observatory competition; in 1967 the first Ultra-Chron brought 36,000 vibrations per hour to a watch made for the wrist. Later Ultra-Chrons moved to the 28,800 bph 66xx family, but the name continued to carry that original high-frequency idea.

OUR THOUGHTS

For us, it is the dial that makes this Ultra-Chron. The dark grey radial finish, fine crosshair and applied markers give it a slightly more technical face than a conventional Longines dress watch, and that suits the Ultra-Chron story perfectly. Nothing is shouting, but there is plenty to notice.