Vintage Longines Admiral HF 2304 Wristwatch cal. 6952 Blue dial 1970s

SPECIFICATION

Reference: Longines 2304-1
Movement: Manually wound 6952
Age:  1972
Case Size: 37mm
Case Thickness: 10mm
Lug to Lug: 40mm
Lugs: 18mm
Box & Papers: No
Case Material: Stainless steel
Warranty: 12-Months Warranty

POINTS TO MENTION

• In great preowned condition, with light signs of wear
• Case has some light scratches and marks
  
• Brushed blue dial, light scratch at 11 o clock
  
• Fully serviced hi frequency manually wound movement
  
• Signed Longines crown
  
• Paired with a unworn grey leather deployant strap
  

THE WATCH

The Longines reference 2304 belongs to the early-1970s Admiral HF (High Frequency) line from Longines, produced during a period when the brand was developing higher-beat mechanical movements in response to increasing demands for precision.

At its heart is the calibre 6952, part of Longines’ 6900-series high-frequency hand-wound movements. It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and was designed to improve chronometric stability compared to earlier 18,000 and 21,600 vph calibres.

The 6952 is a manual-winding movement with central seconds and a date complication. It also features a hacking (stop-seconds) function, allowing the seconds hand to stop when the crown is pulled out so the time can be set accurately. The date is adjusted via the crown in its intermediate position, depending on configuration within the 6900 family.

The 2304 case design reflects early-1970s styling, typically in stainless steel with a more angular, integrated feel compared to earlier dress watches. The proportions are relatively thin, with brushed and polished surfaces used to emphasise sharp geometric lines, giving it a distinctly modernist aesthetic for its era.

A BIT OF TRIVA

This Longines reference 2304-1 was produced to commemorate the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich. Its caseback carries the Olympic rings together with the wording “Olympic Games Munich 1972”, giving the watch a direct connection to the Games of the XX Olympiad. The engraving is particularly important to this model, as there is little on the dial itself to reveal its Olympic association.

The Munich Games were held from 26 August to 11 September 1972 and became renowned for their bold, modern visual identity, designed under Otl Aicher. More than 7,000 athletes from 121 nations competed, and the event also introduced Waldi, the first official Olympic mascot. On many surviving examples of the 2304-1, the caseback engraving has softened through decades of wear, making a clearly preserved Olympic emblem an especially appealing part of the watch.

OUR THOUGHTS

The Longines 2304 with the calibre 6952 feels like a very honest expression of early-1970s watchmaking, where precision and modern design were clearly taking priority. The high-frequency movement adds a technical edge, while the sharp case design gives it a clean, almost architectural presence on the wrist. It’s the kind of watch that feels understated at first glance, but reveals its quality the longer you spend with it.