Longines - Admiral - 8346-1 - Men - 1970-1979

Presented for auction by Second Vintage

The Longines Admiral line represents a golden era of mid-century watchmaking, where robust everyday wearability met the brand's highest standards of mechanical excellence. The prominent five stars applied to the dial were not merely decorative; they were a proud declaration by Longines of the top-tier automatic caliber housed within. This particular Reference 8346-1 captures the distinctive aesthetic shift of the early 1970s, utilizing a bold tonneau-shaped case that provides substantial wrist presence while maintaining elegant proportions. The combination of the vertically brushed dial, the subtle pop of the red minute track, and the exceptional state of preservation make this Admiral a compelling acquisition for collectors of significant vintage Longines timepieces.

Brand: Longines
Model: Admiral
Reference Number: 8346-1
Serial Number: 50281739
Movement: Automatic Caliber 507, 17 Jewels
Dial: Silver vertically brushed dial with applied indices and five-star logo, exceptionally clean condition
Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Gold-Plated (20 Microns) with Stainless Steel Caseback
Production Year: 1970s
Condition: Good vintage condition with a remarkably preserved dial

Dial and Hands
The dial of this Admiral is a masterclass in texture and detail, featuring a striking silver base with a pronounced vertical brushed finish that catches the light beautifully. The dial furniture is fully applied and rendered in gold-tone, including the faceted baton indices which feature contrasting black central inserts for enhanced legibility. Above the six o'clock position sits the iconic applied five-star emblem, while the applied Longines winged hourglass graces the upper half. A framed day-date aperture is positioned at three o'clock, stepping down cleanly into the dial. Framing the entire composition is a delicate but vibrant red outer minute track that adds a perfect touch of sporting character. The dial is in stunning vintage condition, remaining exceptionally clean with crisp typography and absolutely no visible moisture damage, spotting, staining, or print loss. The matching gold-tone baton hands feature corresponding black inserts and original luminous material that has aged gracefully.

Case and Crystal
The 35 mm tonneau-shaped case is crafted from 20-micron gold-plated base metal, a specification proudly stamped on the inner caseback. The cushion-like profile features integrated lugs and sweeping lines that transition smoothly from the polished upper surfaces to the flanks. The case exhibits honest signs of vintage wear, including surface scratches and handling marks consistent with its age, with some slight softening on the lug profiles typical of vintage gold plating. The watch retains its original Longines-signed crown, featuring the winged hourglass logo. A domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, appearing clear and free of significant deep scratches. The stainless steel screw-down caseback bears the outer engraving "LONGINES WATERPROOF" and displays visible surface scratches from previous wear and opening attempts, though the factory text remains highly legible.

Movement
Powering this timepiece is the Longines Caliber 507, a beautifully finished 17-jewel automatic movement. The mechanism is clearly signed with the Longines name and winged hourglass logo on the brushed rotor, with the caliber number 507 and the serial number 50281739 distinctly stamped on the mainplate. The movement presents a clean aesthetic, indicative of Longines' high manufacturing standards of the era. Performing well within expected vintage tolerances; running strong and steady. Timegrapher results show a variance of -25 to -30 seconds per day.

Strap
The watch is fitted with a period-correct brown textured leather strap featuring a classic reptile grain and contrasting white edge stitching. It is secured to the wrist by a gold-tone pin buckle that prominently features the applied Longines winged hourglass logo, perfectly complementing the case material and enhancing the authentic vintage presentation.

Condition
This timepiece is in good vintage condition overall. The gold-plated case shows honest, age-appropriate wear, including surface scratches and minor edge wear, while retaining its distinctive tonneau silhouette. The stainless steel caseback exhibits visible scratching. The dial is the undeniable highlight, remaining in near-mint condition and entirely free of notable blemishes, spots, or damage.

Dimensions
Case width: 35 mm (excluding crown).

Remarks
This Longines Admiral 5-Star is a fantastic example of 1970s design language, blending the durability of a robust automatic caliber with a highly attractive and impeccably preserved dial. The presence of the signed crown and signed buckle further elevates its collectability.

History
Introduced as a flagship line for Longines, the Admiral collection was designed to offer premium automatic movements in durable, often waterproof cases suitable for daily wear. The five-star designation on the dial was reserved for models containing the brand's most refined and reliable automatic calibers. During the late 1960s and 1970s, the Admiral 5-Star represented a benchmark for Swiss manufacturing, competing directly with the finest automatic watches of the era and cementing Longines' reputation for precision engineering and enduring style.

Payment and Shipping
Payment must be completed within 1–3 days after purchase.
Your watch will be professionally and very securely packaged, and shipped with tracking and insurance for your peace of mind. We ship via fast express service, with typical delivery in 1–4 business days (destination dependent).
Please review all photos carefully before bidding. We strive to photograph each watch from multiple angles for the most accurate representation. The photos form an important part of the description.
As with all vintage watches, water resistance is not guaranteed.
The watch will be delivered in fully functional, working condition.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us after the auction ends.

/ Second Vintage

SKU: LON-LAX-0009