Calibre 262

Notes

The 262 was an evolution of the 260 which was itself based on the Cal. 24 which was designed for the planned 1940 Olympic games. The 262 was a rattrapante chronograph that operated at 36,000 vph and could record 1/10th of a second using a vernier scale attached to its second hand. This circular vernier scale was invented by mathematician Pedro Nunes and was the inspiration for what would become known as the "Nonius" line of chronographs though stop watches the 262 would be the only of the watches in the line to be truly capable of discerning 1/10th of a second. Though preliminary work began on a "Cal. 265" successor to the 262 in 1968, the 262 would be the last Longines mechanical chronograph calibre and would remain relevant for nearly 30 years as a timing instrument.