
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Longines Admiral Automatic, Silver Sunburst Dial, circa 1961
- Maker / attribution
- Longines (maker)
- Date
- c. 1961
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- silver
- Stock no.
- vws3578cs
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3578cs)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Longines Admiral Automatic - Silver Sunburst Dial - c.1961 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3578cs), this is a wristwatch by Longines, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1961. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: silver. 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 Delightful Vintage Longines Admiral with a Beautiful Silver Sunburst Dial and Stainless Steel Case, Dated to c.1961 Longines Admiral Automatic Silver Sunburst Dial Inside Caseback Number: 36561 Caliber: 350 17 Jewels Movement Number: 11594658 The Longines Admiral watch, an icon of Swiss horology, traces its origins back to the mid-20th century. Launched in the 1950s, the Admiral line was conceived to embody precision and elegance, catering to an audience that values both style and functionality. Originally, these watches were tailored for sports enthusiasts and professionals, celebrated for their robust construction and reliable performance. Throughout the decades, the Admiral collection underwent several evolutions, adapting to the changing tastes and technological advancements of the time. The 1960s and 70s saw the introduction of innovative features, including automatic movements and water-resistant designs, reinforcing the watch's durability reputation. What's on Offer We are delighted to offer this beautiful vintage Longines Admiral for sale in such wonderful condition. The silver sunburst dial is exquisite and has the unusual detail of Arabic numerals at 9 and 3 combined with applied super slim baton hour markers, a cross-hair sub-seconds dial and elegant pencil hands. The case is also in nice shape, tuna can in style with the substantial steel bezel, it wears very well on the wrist and is perfectly appropriate for both everyday wear and more formal occasions. Paired with a beautiful handmade leather strap, running well and keeping good time, this is a wonderful vintage piece and would be a worthy addition to any collection.
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 timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: 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.
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