Longines Ultra-Chron 8348 18k Gold, 1974

1967: the legendary Velvet Underground release their classic first album, student riots on Paris’s Left Bank are still a year away and the Longines Ultra-Chron 8348 is released to celebrate the St-Imier brand’s centenary. At the time, Longines even claimed that the Ultra-Chron’s high-beat movement made it ‘the world’s most accurate watch. Now, over half a century later, we’re delighted to present a lovely example of this historically significant Swiss timepiece. It’s here, it’s newly serviced, it’s collectable and we’re sure it won’t be hanging around for long…

You fancy a vintage gold dress watch

Are you a vintage watch collector seeking another gold dress watch for your collection? Perhaps you’ve already got a Polerouter Super and a Seamaster de Ville. Now Longines is in your sights and the high-beat Ultra-Chron promises a rewarding first foray into the brand’s enticing vintage offerings. This particular example dates from 1974, well into the watch’s production run. As well as drop-dead good looks, it displays the Ultra-Chron’s technical leadership even as the infamous quartz crisis rolled like an inexorable horological tsunami onto the shores of Swiss watchmaking.

Alternatively, perhaps you are a fan of the period’s high-beat watches. If so, how about complementing that Seiko 5740C, or 1960s Girard-Perregaux, with this pioneering gem from the La Suze river valley in the Bernese Jura mountains? Go on, make it happen! We’ll help you!

A great technical story

The Longines Ultrachron, with its sublime Champagne-coloured dial, applied indices, subtly rhomboidal date window, fast-sweeping second hand and uber-distinctive ULTRA-CHRON dial logo epitomises a classic, collectable 1970s gold dress watch. It’s Swiss; it’s a sure bet with a more formal dress and it looks great. It also comes with that lasting historical significance. And with its high-beat, 6651 movement comes a timeless technical story. Not just another desirable 18k gold dress timepiece, this vintage Ultrachron promises to be a wonderful conversation starter in any horological setting. Best of all, it could be yours, very soon indeed…

Technical & Condition

Condition: Dial condition is assessed as excellent; the screw-back case is fair (excellent overall condition but with a noticeable scratch on the case back); crystal condition is good.

Year: 1974
Case size (exc. crown): 36.5 mm

Case material: 18k gold

Movement: Longines 6651 high-beat (36,000 bph); automatic; recently serviced

Strap/bracelet: New third-party leather strap

Box and papers: Ours

Buy your Longines Ultrachron 8348 today

In a recent article, GQ magazine described this stunning dress watch as ‘criminally affordable’. Now we’re offering you the opportunity to pick up a gorgeous example... completely legally. And with it comes all the reassurance that marks every vintage Time Rediscovered timepiece.

Please get in touch today. Make this Helvetic beauty, complete with its distinctive Longines winged-hourglass logo, yours.