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Russian Watches, The Unexplored Country or No Mans Land

  1. kingsrider Thank you Sir! May I have another? Apr 20, 2016

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    I was, of course, searching the Omega listings this morning and ended up chasing a Russian watch down the rabbit hole. They are so quirky and odd but in a fun/cool kind of way. The prices so low, and tempting. Am I a fool to consider opening this Pandora's Box?.
     
  2. LouS Mrs Nataf's Other Son Staff Member Apr 20, 2016

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    No, they're fun. But they are not really worth the cost of repairing IMO, so personally I would not put a ton of resources (money & time) into them. There are collectors, though, so I'm sure there is some substance there.
     
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  3. danomar Apr 20, 2016

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    In the past, I owned several but now have only one Russian watch, a Poljot reissue of the Sturmanskie pilot. Many Russian watches are very clever, quirky, perhaps innovative, but they are usually made from cheap materials. As Lou hints, when they break, they often are not worth repairing. That said, Vostok Europe makes some exceptional watches—but they are produced in Lithuania. There are some other modern quasi-Russian brands that are high quality; the vintage Russian timepieces are fun, but cheaply made.
     
  4. AAAKK First listing in the ΩF B2B phone book Apr 20, 2016

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    I like some of the pre Russian pcs (marked "CCCP"). Pretty good value in some of the '80s variants I think. For 40-50 bucks, you can find some interesting dials combined with a rock solid movement (but definitely not aesthetically pleasing) and a pretty cool solution to a waterproof case. Here's a 80s Vostok Amphibia that has developed an interesting crackle effect. Runs like a champ as well; I think it was 40 bucks.
    20160229_145224.jpg
     
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  5. arkstfan Apr 20, 2016

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    Thanks! I've only looked at the modern Vostoks, which are interesting but haven't seen one I wanted to spend money on.
     
  6. nickw Apr 20, 2016

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    That is a cool visual rhythm on the dial.
     
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  7. AAAKK First listing in the ΩF B2B phone book Apr 20, 2016

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    Yeah, not a fan of the modern pcs although they do make for a bargain water resistant beater. Vintage wise, just stick to dials marked "CCCP" when searching to easily eliminate the later stuff. A lot of the cases are 39mm like my Vostok, but be careful of a few that are 33-34mm unless you're comfortable wearing that size.
     
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  8. kingsrider Thank you Sir! May I have another? Apr 20, 2016

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    Thanks gentlemen!
    AAAKK that is the kind of fun "busy" watch I am looking at.
     
  9. Jones in LA Isofrane hoarder. Apr 20, 2016

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    I'm surprised how much my $75, brand new Vostok has grown on me. Once I removed the junky bracelet that it came with, what's left seems pretty solid. If I keep it thoroughly wound it's a good time keeper, too. The manufacturer's spec for timekeeping is +60/-20 sec/day but I get +2 sec. /day with a tightly wound mainspring, and about +20 sec/day when it hasn't been wound for a day or so.

    I put it on a NATO strap just to piss off Pres. Putin.

    IMG_0895_mods.jpg
     
  10. donkii Apr 20, 2016

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    Everyone should have at least twelve Russian watches, note to self. :taunt:

    Look at this full set, almost 30years old and still makes some funny noises ::shy::
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  11. pwojnar Apr 20, 2016

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    A customer of mine gave me a Strella Cosmonaut reissue as a gift, it looks cool but broke after a few months. It's fixable, just the crown, but I barely wore it 10 times before it broke.
     
  12. donkii Apr 20, 2016

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    I bought a new JLC, I had it for one day before it went off to the cheese-land and I didn't see it until two months later....::censored::
     
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  13. pwojnar Apr 20, 2016

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    1461214628465141753069.jpg
     
  14. proximal Apr 21, 2016

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    I have one of those. I bought it new about 5 years ago, no issues.

    [​IMG]
     
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  15. Ludi Apr 21, 2016

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    What not to love ?!?...

    image.jpeg

    image.jpeg

    Sekonda "Strela" aka "the russian Speedmaster", 1966, wheel column caliber 3017, made by the 1MWF for western export (Sekonda was UK established then)... and cherrish on the cake, a pretty unexpensive watch \o/

    My advice ? Go for it ! ;)
     
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  16. kingsrider Thank you Sir! May I have another? May 11, 2016

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    Just came today!
    2016-05-04 001.JPG
    This is a heavy well finished watch. For $60.00 (with shipping). Amazing for a self winding watch.
     
  17. kingsrider Thank you Sir! May I have another? Jul 21, 2016

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    2016-07-21 007.JPG 2016-07-20 006.JPG
    If any of you have ever visited scubawatch.org, you have probably seen this setup. Watch, coin bezel, insert and mesh strap for under $100.00 all in.
    The strap looks much better than it appears in the photo ($4.80 delivered)
     
  18. Ticker Jul 21, 2016

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    Who's to say they are worthy of collecting or not. If you like it, then that's all the advice you need.

    Personally I've never owned one, but my bro-in-law has a couple and regularly lets me try them on. One is a KJB watch, very cool IMO.
     
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  19. dragoman Jul 21, 2016

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    It always reminds me to this Longines

    [​IMG]
     
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  20. RCAFBuster Jul 21, 2016

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    I picked up two Soviets purely from an historical aspect. The 1965 Poljot as worn by Leonev for the very first space Walk, and a 50s Strumanskie as worn by Gagarin for the first Space flight in April 1961. Fun watches but not the Quality of their Omega brethren.
    Buster
    Poljot 1965.JPG Gagarin 2.jpg