1969 unused Longines 34.5mm Ultra-Chron Ref.01-7827 Hi-beat automatic date in Steel. Box & Cert

Description

Vintage and unused. Comes with original retailer’s box and dated paper.

This is a living relic and unlikely that we will find another gem like this again but this is what we do at Passions. If you are the collector who yearns for an unmolested vintage watch that is complete, then this will surely fulfill your desires. Box, paper, unpolished and sold with the original strap and buckle. Everything is original since manufacture.

Provenance: This vintage Longines Ultra-Chron came to us from one lot of watches. It belonged to a retired diplomat from an Asean country who was posted to Switzerland in the 1960s. He purchased this Longines on 12 August 1969 as dated on the paper from Rosch & Co in Bern, the capital of Switzerland but never wore it as he had other watches. This Longines was simply kept away in the box and erased from memory until recently while doing a housekeeping. This watch is 56yrs old now. They found us in Singapore and the rest is history.

Condition: The original acrylic crystal has developed stress marks over the passing of time and the original lizard strap has hardened. The watch has never been opened and although the watch works now, it is not keeping time and the movement will need a service after almost sixty years. The case, is of course never polished and retains the sharp razor edges with factory finished lines. The dial remains in mint condition.

Why you should collect this: This is probably the only piece of its kind in the world now in this condition. Completely original since new, like a time capsule and sold with it’s original Swiss made box from the retailer with the matching certificate.

History: What is the Ultra-Chron? Introduced in 1967 on the 100th anniversary of Longines, this was the high frequency movement beating at 36000 vph vs the usual 28800, and the faster beat offers a higher accuracy in time keeping. This watch was introduced in response to the quartz movements coming into the competition that nearly wiped out the Swiss watch making industry. Zenith introduced the hi-beat El Primero chronograph movement in 1969.

Longines took out advertisements marketing it as “the world’s most accurate watch and guaranteed accuracy to within one minute per month.” This was only in production for six years, and from 1973, it was rebranded as Certified Chronometer watches.

Today, the Ultra-Chron is still being sold.

Further 3% discount for non credit-card payments. This watch will be sold with a free service and one year warranty by us.