Longines: the first time for carbon

Longines presents for the first time a watch with a carbon case. It is the Ultra-Chron Carbon, a watch driven by a high-frequency calibre.

Longines Ultra-Chron Carbon

Presented in 1968, the Ultra-Chron Diver of Longines wrote an important chapter in the history of the House. It was, in fact, the first diver's watch to house a high-frequency movement. At that time, the Saint-Imier company already boasted long experience in the field of high-frequency movements, as He had already patented a pocket chronograph with 1/10th of a second measurement in 1910, of course for timing sports competitions.

Longines Ultra-Chron Carbon

In 2022 comes the new generation of the Ultra-Chron, which pays homage to the 1968 model, obviously incorporating the latest technological advances. Today, Longines continues to renew the collection, presenting a new Ultra-Chron with a carbon case, a first for the company. This material, which is both ultra-resistant and lightweight, is commonly used in cutting-edge sectors such as aeronautics, a field with which Longines has formed an important partnership.

Longines Ultra-Chron Carbon

The 43 mm diameter by 14 mm thick case is therefore made from strips of unidirectional carbon fibre and epoxy resin inserted into a mould. The material is then heated to a high temperature and compressed under high pressure, before being cold-cut to assume the typical coussin shape of the Ultra- Chron case. This production process creates ever-changing patterns in the fibre arrangement, making each case visually unique.

Longines Ultra-Chron Carbon

Longines Ultra-Chron Carbon: carbon case and titanium elements.

In addition to the carbon used for the case, the Ultra-Chron Carbon also makes use of titanium for the case back, bezel and crown.

Thanks to the lightness of carbon, the new Ultra-Chron Carbon weighs less than 80 grams. Water-resistant to 30 atmospheres (300 metres), uses a fixed titanium bezel with an aluminium insert. The screw-down crown and case back are also made of titanium. Under the domed sapphire crystal with multi-layer anti-reflective treatment, here is the sandblasted anthracite dial, with hands and indexes in grey Pvd luminescent Super-Luminova blue.

Longines Ultra-Chron Carbon

The Ultra-Chron Carbon uses Longines' high-frequency oscillating calibre L.836.6 (36 000 vibrations per hour, 52-hour power reserve). This calibre is equipped with a silicon balance spring and innovative components that make it up to ten times more resistant to magnetic fields than ISO 764.

Longines Ultra-Chron Carbon

Furthermore, the watch as a whole is chronometer certified by Timelab, an independent laboratory in Geneva accredited to carry out tests in the watchmaking sector. In accordance with ISO 3159, The qualification process involves subjecting the finished product, i.e. with the movement in operation inside the case, to a test period of 15 consecutive, uninterrupted days. The watch is then subjected to a series of function tests in different positions, repeated at three different temperatures, namely 8° C, 23° C and 38° C. Finally, Longines' Ultra-Chron Carbon is fitted with a black strap in technical fabric with a titanium pin buckle.

Price5,500 euro.

Longines Ultra-Chron Carbon

 

en_GB