Longines - Admiral - No reserve price - 1563 1 - Men - 1970-1979

Now available at auction from Second Vintage The Longines Admiral series represents a high-water mark for the brand during the mid-twentieth century, serving as a testament to their dedication to precision chronometry and robust everyday wearability. Distinguished by the proud five stars applied to the dial, this emblem was historically reserved by Longines to denote their highest quality automatic movements. This particular example captures the quintessential design language of the early 1970s, pairing a sharp, substantial stainless steel case with a sophisticated high-beat caliber. It offers collectors an honest, character-rich vintage timepiece that remains mechanically superb while wearing its decades of history openly on its dial. Brand: Longines Model: Admiral Reference Number: 1563 1 Serial Number: 51934888 Movement: Longines Caliber 6651 Automatic, 25 Jewels Dial: Vertically brushed silver dial featuring applied indices, exhibiting prominent surface spotting and oxidation on the hands Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Stainless Steel Production Year: 1970s Condition: Good vintage condition with a sharp case and honest, visible dial aging. Movement have been serviced and performs strongly. Dial and Hands The dial features a striking vertical brushed finish that interacts dynamically with ambient light, providing a textured backdrop for the applied dial furniture. The hours are marked by applied faceted baton indices featuring black central inserts, which are perfectly complemented by the applied Longines winged hourglass logo at twelve o'clock and the signature five stars positioned above the six o'clock marker. A highly finished, stepped metallic frame surrounds the date aperture at three o'clock. Upon close inspection, the dial exhibits prominent and widespread surface spotting, blistering, and moisture-related patina across the entirety of the finish. The original baton hands, which also feature black inserts, show significant oxidation, metal darkening, and surface wear consistent with the environmental aging seen on the dial itself. The printed typography, including the elegant script "Automatic," remains fully legible despite the surrounding patina. Case and Crystal The 35mm stainless steel case features a robust, tonneau-influenced profile characteristic of the era, defined by its thick, commanding lugs. The case remains in highly impressive condition, displaying remarkably sharp transitions between the circularly brushed upper surfaces and the brightly polished case flanks. The factory lug chamfers and edge geometry appear well-preserved, showing only light, honest handling marks indicative of careful wear. The watch retains its original, deeply grooved crown signed with the Longines name and winged hourglass motif. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, showing a clear view with only minor surface wear. The screw-down caseback features crisp, unpolished notches along its perimeter and retains deep, legible factory engravings, including "STAINLESS STEEL" and the case number 881085 on the exterior, while the interior is properly hallmarked with the Longines reference 1563 1. Movement Powering this timepiece is the beautifully engineered Longines Caliber 6651, a 25-jewel automatic movement renowned for its reliability and high-beat precision. Visual inspection of the movement reveals a remarkably clean and well-preserved mechanism, featuring elegant perlage across the base plates and fine circular brushing on the sweeping automatic winding rotor. The movement bridges clearly display the stamped Longines nomenclature, the caliber number 6651, and the movement serial number 51934888, which dates the watch to the early 1970s. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher results indicate an exceptional performance of +10 to +13 seconds per day with strong amplitude. Movement have been serviced and performs strongly. Strap The watch is fitted with a period correct dark brown leather strap featuring a classic crocodilian grain pattern. The strap is accented with heavy white contrast stitching along the margins, providing a handsome visual anchor that complements the metallic tones of the stainless steel case and the vintage character of the dial. Condition This Longines Admiral is presented in good vintage condition, offering a compelling contrast between its highly preserved exterior and its heavily patinated interior. The stainless steel case is exceptionally sharp, retaining strong factory lines, crisp brushing, and distinct edges that suggest minimal polishing over its lifetime. Conversely, the dial and hands display clear, prominent signs of atmospheric aging, with noticeable spotting on the dial surface and oxidation on the handset. This honest wear is factored into the condition grading, presenting a structurally and mechanically superior watch with a highly patinated face. Dimensions The stainless steel case measures a classic 35 mm in diameter, excluding the signed Longines crown. The substantial lug design provides a prominent stance on the wrist, ensuring it wears with the presence expected of a vintage sports-dress hybrid from this celebrated era of watchmaking. Remarks This Admiral is a superb choice for the collector who values mechanical excellence and sharp case geometry above pristine cosmetic dials. The combination of the high-grade Caliber 6651, the beautifully preserved unpolished case, and the undeniable charm of the five-star dial makes this a fascinating and enjoyable piece of Longines history to wear daily. History The Longines Admiral collection was introduced as a premium line within the brand's catalog, designed to offer superior automatic winding technology housed in robust, water-resistant cases. The application of five stars on the dial was a deliberate marketing and horological statement by Longines, signaling to the consumer that the watch contained one of their most refined and advanced automatic calibers. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, as the Swiss watch industry reached the peak of mechanical development before the quartz crisis, the Admiral line represented the pinnacle of reliable, high-performance daily wearers for the discerning gentleman. / Second Vintage SKU: LON-AXX-0001