====== Longines Ultra-Quartz ======
The **Ultra-Quartz** was the first Swiss [[quartz]] wristwatch, announced by [[Longines]] on August 20, [[1969]].

===== Overview =====
Longines developed their first in-house quartz chronometer (a large rack-mount model) in [[1954]] and it became the most accurate ever recorded by the Neuchâtel Observatory. The company miniaturized this technology into a pocket chronometer in [[1966]].

The Ultra-Quartz was the first Swiss quartz watch when it was announced. Called "cybernetic" at the time, it relies on the interaction of two oscillators A 9,350 Hz quartz crystal is the main timekeeper, while a [[vibration motor]] runs slower and actuates the [[wheel train]] similar to a [[tuning fork]] movement. Each oscillator provides feedback to the other, regulating timekeeping. This is similar to the eventual design of the [[Bulova Accuquartz]] of [[1971]], which would be the first quartz watch sold in the United States.

The Ultra-Quartz does not use an integrated circuits, since Longines did not have this technical capability. Instead, it leverages 30-40 miniature electronic components, a costly and challenging design similar to [[Seiko]]'s competition chronometers from [[1967]]. The movement was developed in-house at Longines in [[Saint-Imier]], while the company was also participating in the [[CEH]] [[Beta 21]] project.

Longines announced the Ultra-Quartz model at a press conference in [[Geneva]] on August 20, [[1969]]. This was eight months earlier than the [[Beta 21]] (which also included Longines participation), [[Omega Megaquartz]], [[Girard-Perregaux Elcron]], and [[Neosonic]] and 4 months before the [[Seiko Astron]]. Longines also showed both Ultra-Quartz and "Quartz-Chron" (Beta 21) watches at the Fair, and sold the two alongside each other through [[1971]].

===== See Also =====
  * [[Beta 21]]
  * [[Bulova Accuquartz]]
  * [[Girard-Perregaux Elcron]]
  * [[Omega Megaquartz]]


{{tag>Longines Quartz}}