The Longines Ultra-Chron Classic is a high-frequency automatic watch offered in 37 mm and 40 mm stainless-steel versions. Both sizes share a 36,000-vibrations-per-hour movement, up to 52 hours of power reserve and 5 bar water resistance. The Classic is not the 43 mm Ultra-Chron Diver: its water-resistance rating and design are different.
What is the Longines Ultra-Chron Classic?
The Ultra-Chron Classic is a time-and-date watch with a silver sunray dial, stainless-steel case and automatic movement. Longines lists four U.S. configurations: 37 mm or 40 mm, each with either a black alligator strap or steel bracelet. The official Longines collection page shows the Classic alongside a separate 43 mm Ultra-Chron Diver.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Original Vintage Advertisement for 1948 Longines Ultra-Chron Watch | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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LONGINES Spirit Zulu Time 39MM Automatic Watch | $3,550.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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THE LONGINES Master Collection 42MM Automatic Watch | $4,300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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The LONGINES Master Collection 42MM Automatic Watch | $4,400.00 | Buy on Amazon |
All four listed Classic references have scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides, a date display, a monocrystalline silicon balance-spring and up to 52 hours of power reserve. Longines lists water resistance as 5 bar.
What is the difference between the 37 mm and 40 mm versions?
The principal documented differences are case size, reference number, strap or bracelet, and displayed U.S. price. The official U.S. product pages retrieved on October 8, 2026, listed these configurations and prices; prices can change, so check the linked reference page for the current figure.
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#1 Best Overall
- Original Magazine Print Advertising
- Size, approximately 13.5" x 10.5"
- Ad has no rips or tears but might show some yellowing due to age
- Packed in cellophane envelope with cardboard backing
| Case size | Black alligator strap | Steel bracelet |
|---|---|---|
| 37 mm | L2.537.4.72.2 — $3,900 | L2.537.4.72.6 — $4,000 |
| 40 mm | L2.937.4.72.2 — $3,900 | L2.937.4.72.6 — $4,000 |
The prices are the displayed U.S. catalog prices at retrieval, not a guarantee of current or global pricing. Longines describes the steel-bracelet versions as having a double-security folding clasp with micro-adjustment. The cited listings do not establish thickness, weight, lug-to-lug measurement, or how either size wears on a particular wrist.
What does 36,000 vibrations per hour mean?
Longines lists the Classic movement at 36,000 vibrations per hour. Swatch Group’s 2022 explanation equates this high-frequency rate with 10 beats per second. It is the movement’s oscillation rate, not a promise of a particular real-world accuracy result. The Classic listings also specify a monocrystalline silicon balance-spring and up to 52 hours of reserve.
Rank #2
- Automatic L844 movement, hours, minutes, seconds and date. 24 hours hand with time zone mechanism
- Stainless steel with double safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
- 5 Year International Warranty
Is the Ultra-Chron Classic a dive watch?
No. Longines lists the Classic at 5 bar water resistance, and its official product details do not give it the diver’s unidirectional bezel or 30 bar rating. Treat it as distinct from the Ultra-Chron Diver rather than transferring the diver’s specifications to the Classic.
How does the Classic relate to the Ultra-Chron Diver?
The historical high-frequency lineage comes from the Ultra-Chron Diver launched in 1968. Longines describes that model as the first dive watch equipped with a high-frequency movement. The claim concerns the 1968 Diver, not the modern Classic.
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Rank #3
- Automatic L687 movement, hours, minutes, small seconds with 24 hours indicator at 9 o'clock. date indicated by the half moon central hand. Moon phase display at 6 o'clock. Case, hours, minutes, small seconds with 24 hours indicator at 9 o'clock. date indicated by the half moon central hand. Chronograph mechanism : central 60 seconds hand, moon phase display with 12 hours counter at 6 o'clock, 30 minutes counter with day and month display at 12 o'clock. Transparent case back with sapphire crystal
- Stainless steel with triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
- 5 Year International Warranty
The separate 2022 Ultra-Chron Diver is a 43 mm cushion-shaped steel watch with a unidirectional bezel, 30 bar (300 m) water resistance, calibre L836.6 and roughly 52 hours of reserve; its technical sheet also specifies a supplied recycled-material NATO strap. Those diver details do not describe the Classic.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the certification language mean?
Longines’ Classic product pages call the watch chronometer-certified, but the retrieved Classic listings do not set out a testing protocol. Swatch Group’s June 1, 2022 release describes a specific TIMELAB certification process for the 2022 Ultra-Chron watch head: testing over 15 days at 8 °C, 23 °C and 38 °C, with ISO 3159:2009 criteria cited. That is a description of the 2022 Ultra-Chron process; it should not be presented as a separately detailed Classic test protocol.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Automatic L687 movement, hours, minutes, small seconds with 24 hours indicator at 9 o'clock. date indicated by the half moon central hand. Moon phase display at 6 o'clock. Case, hours, minutes, small seconds with 24 hours indicator at 9 o'clock. date indicated by the half moon central hand. Chronograph mechanism : central 60 seconds hand, moon phase display with 12 hours counter at 6 o'clock, 30 minutes counter with day and month display at 12 o'clock. Transparent case back with sapphire crystal
- Stainless steel with triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
- 5 Year International Warranty
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
