Longines Admiral 1200, Automatic, 10K Gold Filled Case, circa 1963 — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Vintage Watch Specialist · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Longines Admiral 1200, Automatic, 10K Gold Filled Case, circa 1963

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Longines (maker)
Date: c. 1963
Historical period: Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: gold filled
Dealer: Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom
Stock no.: vws3084
Credit line: Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3084)
Catalogue title (original): Longines - Admiral 1200 - Automatic - 10K Gold Filled Case - c.1963 (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3084), this is a wristwatch by Longines, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1963. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold filled. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

A Charming 10k Gold Filled Longines Admiral Automatic in Beautiful Pre-Owned Condition with a Stunning Silver Sunburst Dial, c.1963 The Longines Admiral collection showcases the brand's commitment to combining sporty elegance with technical prowess, a tradition that has been part of Longines' history for decades. Established in 1832 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, Longines has been a pioneer in watchmaking, with the Admiral line underscoring its maritime legacy. Introduced during the 1960s, this collection quickly became synonymous with precision and durability, catering to both nautical professionals and watch aficionados alike. The Admiral series has evolved over time, embracing innovation while maintaining its classic aesthetic. Initially known for its robustness and reliability necessary for the high seas, it later incorporated advanced features like chronograph functions and high-frequency movements. The design also saw a transition from more utilitarian forms to incorporating luxurious materials and sophisticated details. This evolution reflects Longines' adeptness at blending functionality with elegance. What's on Offer This 10k gold-filled Longines Admiral automatic is in beautiful pre-owned condition. The wonderful silver sunburst dial has an elegant cross-hair design with applied gold furniture - applied stick hour plots with luminous pips and slim gold pencil hands.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsNot in source
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Vintage Watch Specialist — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Longines Admiral 1200, Automatic, 10K Gold Filled Case, circa 1963." Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom, vws3084. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/longines-admiral-1200-automatic-10k-gold-filled-case-circa-1963-9554f1.