Longines - Admiral - No reserve price - 8336 6 - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage The Longines Admiral series represents a high-water mark of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, combining robust everyday wearability with refined, elegant design. Known for its distinctive five-star dial signifying the brand's top-tier automatic movements of the era, this particular Admiral exemplifies the sophisticated aesthetic of the 1970s. With its beautiful sunburst dial, sharp stainless steel case, and intricate multi-link bracelet, it offers a compelling blend of dressy sophistication and sporting durability that remains incredibly relevant to modern collectors. Brand: Longines Model: Admiral Reference Number: 8336 6 Serial Number: 51340799 Movement: Automatic, Caliber 506 Dial: Silver sunburst with applied five-star logo and faceted indices, excellent clean condition Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Excellent vintage condition, outstanding preservation Dial and Hands The dial of this Admiral is a masterclass in mid-century texture and typography, featuring a brilliant silver sunburst finish that catches the light beautifully from every angle. It is adorned with applied, faceted baton indices featuring central black inserts, perfectly matched by the polished baton hands. The dial furniture is exceptional, boasting the applied Longines winged hourglass logo below twelve o'clock and the iconic five applied stars above the printed Admiral text at six o'clock. A sharply framed date aperture sits at three o'clock, utilizing a stepped, black-painted border for excellent legibility. The dial is in stunning, exceptionally clean condition, showing no visible moisture marks, disruptive spotting, or print loss. The factory text, including the serif Longines branding and script automatic font, remains incredibly crisp. The original tritium lume plots at the base of the indices have gracefully aged to a deep, dark patina, adding wonderful vintage character without detracting from the dial's pristine appearance. Case and Crystal The 35 mm stainless steel case is brilliantly proportioned, featuring a classic profile with sweeping lugs and a smooth, polished bezel. The case architecture remains sharp and well-defined, showcasing a beautiful transition between the brushed upper surfaces of the lugs and the highly polished case flanks. The watch exhibits honest, light signs of wear in the form of superficial micro-scratches consistent with careful vintage use, but retains its strong factory lines and avoids the over-polished look often seen in watches of this era. The original Longines signed crown, featuring the winged hourglass emblem, sits flush against the case. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal that remains clear and provides an undistorted view of the remarkable dial beneath, showing only very faint, superficial handling marks visible under harsh lighting. Movement Powering this timepiece is the in-house Longines Caliber 506 automatic movement, a 21-jewel mechanism renowned for its durability and engineering quality. The movement presents beautifully in the close-up images, with a clean rotor clearly engraved with the Longines name and logo, alongside bright plates and bridges bearing the serial number 51340799. The caliber number 506 is clearly stamped beneath the balance wheel. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher result reads -12-14s/day with strong amplitude. Strap The watch is paired with its original Longines stainless steel multi-link bracelet, a highly comfortable and visually striking design that integrates seamlessly with the overall aesthetic of the piece. The intricate, polished center links provide a wonderful contrast against the brushed outer links. The folding clasp is deeply engraved with the Longines winged hourglass emblem. The bracelet shows normal, age-consistent wear and moderate vintage stretch, remaining secure and ready for daily wear, accommodating a wrist size of up to 19.5 cm. Condition This Longines Admiral survives in excellent vintage condition. The dial is the undeniable star, remaining incredibly clean and vibrant with its flawless sunburst texture and perfectly preserved applied elements. The stainless steel case retains its structural integrity and sharp lines, displaying only honest, attractive wear. The movement is visually clean and running with exceptional precision, while the original signed bracelet completes this highly collectible package. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures 35 mm in diameter, excluding the signed crown. The accompanying stainless steel bracelet is sized to accommodate a wrist up to 19.5 cm. Remarks Finding a vintage Longines Admiral with such a pristine dial and sharp case lines is becoming increasingly difficult. The five-star designation guarantees a certain level of prestige, and the combination of the silver sunburst dial, applied indices, and the original signed bracelet makes this an incredibly versatile timepiece. It is a watch that transitions effortlessly from formal attire to casual weekend wear, offering the new owner a tangible piece of Longines' golden era of mechanical watchmaking. History Founded in Saint-Imier in 1832, Longines boasts one of the richest histories in traditional Swiss watchmaking, deeply intertwined with aviation, exploration, and sports timing. The Admiral collection was introduced to signify the brand's highest tier of automatic watches, utilizing the five-star emblem as a universal symbol of excellence, much like the rating system for luxury hotels or high-ranking generals. During the mid-20th century, Longines was producing movements that rivaled the very best in the industry, and the Admiral line was the proud recipient of these robust, highly accurate calibers. Today, the five-star Admiral remains a beloved icon among collectors, representing a period when Longines' in-house manufacturing capabilities were at their absolute peak. / Second Vintage SKU: LON-LAX-0021