Well, an Admiral fell into my hands

If I'm being totally honest, I don't know him that well. I've been aquatinted with him since I was young (he works at a car dealership, where I've been many, many times), and two or three weekends ago, I scheduled my car for maintenance and chatted with him for a bit.

Interestingly enough, there's always a vintage watch on his wrist, but up until that weekend, I had never asked about them--he was sporting an 18k IWC from the '40s, which he handed to me and let me examine. I loved it.

To return the favor, I took off my El Primero, and he exclaimed that the movement was "famous," legendary," etc., as he looked it over.

Well, that put us deep into conversation about watches and movements. He waxed lyrical about his cal. 321 Speedmaster, his Pateks, and a host of others. Apparently, he has about 160 watches, including the Timex that started it all when he was a kid. His exact words were, "It's very telling that you know what the 321 is."

At this point, I was stunned because I had met a mega-WIS in real life who wasn't my dad.

As it turns out, I had to go back to the dealer to pick up a small part for my car, and he called me over and told me to let him know when I'd be in again. Said he had something for me. This time, he had a 1950s 18k Omega Constellation (pie-pan dial), with a pigskin strap, on his wrist. Gorgeous.

I stopped by after I got off work today, and this thread is the result. I thanked him quite a few times, to which he said, "I'm happy to do it. I know the watch is in good hands."

Really nice guy.

U ulackfocus

Can't beat the price! 😉

It's definitely a 50x of some sort. Nice movement based on the Record 195x series.

I guess you should look at "open ended" leather straps in order to fit them on the solid lugs. That one will not be ok on a "NATO" strap
😉
(even for an Admiral)!
In this style perhaps:
http://www.thewatchprince.com/de-beer-open-end-crocodile-black-20mm
(You must of course make sure it fits before ordering anything like it!!)

I had one of these with the same lugs, intergrated bracelet, nice watches indeed!

Moeris

I guess it's time for me to post my first thread.

To make a long story short, a collector gave me this Admiral yesterday. As far as I know, this watch originally came on a bracelet--hence the lugs--but I did some searching, and it seems some of you have fitted leather straps. Do you have any recommendations for me? 😀

As for the watch:



It's a presentation watch dated to 1973, but it could be a little older. I think it has a cal. 505 inside, but if not, feel free to correct me. When it's in for service, I'll pull the serial and see what Longines can tell me about it.

If anyone wants to know the story behind this Admiral, here's a blurb, which was my response to a WUS member who wanted to know who gave me the watch:



Thanks, guys!

CdnWatchDoc

Would love to see more pics of this one when you get a chance to post.

Alpha

Sorry I somehow missed your original post.
Tugs the old heart strings to hear such a lovely story and of course the "Admiral" sets it off 👍