Longines - Ultra-Chron - Sans prix de réserve - 8301-3 - Homme - 1969

Disponible dès maintenant à l’enchère par Second Vintage The Longines Ultra-Chron stands as a monumental achievement in mid-century horology, born from a relentless pursuit of mechanical precision. Introduced in 1967 to celebrate the brand's centenary, it housed one of the most sophisticated high-beat movements of its era, promising unparalleled accuracy. This specific example beautifully merges that historical technical prowess with a deeply characterful aesthetic, featuring a dial that has aged into a striking, uniform stardust constellation. Complete with its original signed brick-link bracelet, this piece offers a compelling opportunity for collectors seeking a historically significant chronometer with unique vintage charm. Brand: Longines Model: Ultra-Chron Reference Number: 8301-3 Serial Number: 50383394 Movement: Longines Caliber 431, Automatic, 17 Jewels Dial: Silver sunburst dial exhibiting an even, prominent stardust patina with applied faceted indices Case Size: 37 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1969 Condition: Excellent vintage condition with an attractive evenly patinated dial and sharp case lines Dial and Hands The silver dial features a subtle sunburst finish that has developed a prominent and highly uniform stardust patina over the decades. This fine, even freckling across the entire surface provides a distinctive and attractive vintage character while remaining free of localized damage or moisture staining. The dial furniture is sophisticated, featuring applied faceted block indices with black center inserts that perfectly match the steel baton hands. The applied Longines winged hourglass logo and the signature applied Ultra-Chron zigzag emblem add excellent depth to the display. All typography, including the serif "LONGINES", script "Automatic", and "ULTRA-CHRON", remains crisp and fully legible against the patinated background. A neatly framed date aperture is positioned at three o'clock, and the "SWISS MADE" designation is clearly visible at the bottom edge. Case and Crystal The 37 millimeter stainless steel case presents an elegant tonneau-inspired profile with excellent geometric integrity. The lug chamfers remain sharp and well-defined, showcasing the intended factory transitions between the brushed top surfaces and polished flanks. The case displays honest vintage wear, with light surface scratches and handling marks consistent with careful use over the decades, but no deep gouges or signs of heavy over-polishing. The domed acrylic crystal provides clear, undistorted views of the dial. The watch retains its original Longines signed crown, bearing the distinctive winged hourglass logo. Turning the watch over, the screw-down decagonal caseback features a crisp Ultra-Chron engraving and the outer case serial number, while the inner caseback correctly displays the Longines maker marks and the 8301-3 reference number. Movement Powering this timepiece is the legendary Longines Caliber 431 automatic movement, a high-beat engine renowned for its precision. A close inspection of the exceptionally clean movement reveals crisp factory engravings, including "LONGINES WATCH Co SWISS", "SEVENTEEN 17 JEWELS", "431", and the movement serial number "50383394". The rotor and plates exhibit beautiful original finishing, with prominent brushing and gleaming bevels. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher records a performance of +10 to +12 seconds per day with strong amplitude. Strap The watch is fitted with its original Longines stainless steel brick-link bracelet, a highly desirable and comfortable period accompaniment. The folding clasp is deeply embossed with the Longines winged hourglass logo, and the endlinks are clearly stamped with the factory code "SS02", confirming its authenticity. The bracelet shows moderate, age-appropriate wear and flexibility, perfectly matching the condition of the case, and accommodates a wrist size of up to 17 centimeters. Condition This timepiece is preserved in excellent vintage condition. The case retains strong lines and factory finishes, showing only honest handling marks appropriate for its age. The dial's stardust patina is a beautiful example of natural aging, remaining uniform and visually appealing without compromising the legibility of the crisp printing or applied markers. The movement is mechanically robust, visually immaculate, and delivering outstanding chronometric performance. Dimensions Case Size: 37 mm (excluding the crown) Wrist Size: 17 cm Remarks Finding an Ultra-Chron that retains its original signed bracelet and sharp case geometry is increasingly difficult. The unique, even stardust aging on this dial elevates it from a standard vintage piece to a truly singular collector's item, offering both high-beat mechanical pedigree and undeniable visual character. History Launched in 1967 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Longines factory, the Ultra-Chron was a marvel of its time. Marketed as the world's most accurate watch, it was guaranteed to be accurate to within a minute a month, a bold claim made possible by the high-beat Caliber 431 oscillating at 36,000 vibrations per hour. The Ultra-Chron represented the absolute peak of mechanical timekeeping technology just prior to the advent of the quartz crisis, cementing Longines' reputation as a premier manufacturer of high-precision chronometers. / Second Vintage SKU: LON-LAU-0002