Russian Watches, The Unexplored Country or No Mans Land

Sgt_Bilko · Jul 29, 2016

This is the presentation watch that was given to my father-in-law who was involved with the cleanup operation of Chernobyl in the days following the nuclear disaster. On a scale of 1-10 for courage that has to be an 11+.

Sgt_Bilko · Jul 29, 2016

This is a Soviet era submarine commander's watch that just came in from Ukraine. The quality of finish is nowhere near what you would expect from Swiss watches but it's solid and keeps decent time.

Spy · Jul 29, 2016

Russian watch territory is interesting. Poljot, known in the USSR as First Moscow Watch Factory, made the Sturmanskie. It was the watch worn by Yuri Gargarin. I once bought a Slava automatic. It was not in the same universe of Swiss horology, and thus, the first and last Russian watch I ever owned.

TexOmega · Jul 29, 2016

arkstfan · Jul 29, 2016

Ticker
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.

If you aren't worried about selling some day down the road the number of watches you can own and enjoy expands greatly.

arkstfan · Jul 29, 2016

RCAFBuster
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 Is very nice even without the history connection

Olaa · Jul 30, 2016

Russian watch territory is interesting, fun and affordable 😗.
Here is some; Raketa Kopernik, Poljot Strela 3017, Vostok 2209 Amfibia, Vostok Sargendirskie, Poljot Amphibia, Vostok Komandirskie and Poljot 3133 😁

dragoman · Aug 4, 2016

My only russian

adrienbelanger · Aug 4, 2016

There are two I find really interesting: the Raketa Kopernik (a completely unique design as far as I can tell) and the original Zlatoust diver's watches (though you have to dig deep to find one; most are modern reissues or possibly even fakes).

I also like the Okean chronograph with the 3133 calibre, though you can find Swiss chronos with a very similar dial design (see for example http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322211374758?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT)

mdgrwl · Aug 4, 2016

Not really my thing... Swiss & German for me, that's about it.

AveConscientia · Aug 5, 2016

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

I love it how much for a working one?

AveConscientia · Aug 5, 2016

kingsrider
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?.

My Pobeda Zim from the late 50s

arturo7 · Apr 5, 2019

Dinner plans were cancelled tonight.

I'm gonna stay home and eat soup. With the money I saved I took a punt on this.

Hopefully it will be a functional camp/hike/fish watch. Time will tell...

SpeedyPhill · Apr 6, 2019

https://omegaforums.net/threads/hidden-gems-from-the-russian-space-photo-archives.65152/

Mac5 · Apr 6, 2019

I've been searching for the very rare Soviet moon watch.....
Sorry, couldn't resist.

allwoundup · Apr 6, 2019

I picked up this mid-1980s Poljot “23” chronograph a while back and am very happy with it...heavy construction and keeps very accurate time....and handsome, IMO.

The movement is based off of a Valjoux/ETA design which traces its lineage back to the Venus 188 calibre, if my memory is correct. Poljot purchased the equipment used to make the movement from Valjoux/ETA when it discontinued production. Poljot then tweaked the design by reducing the size of the balance and using jewels with all of the chronograph gears....upping the number of jewels from seventeen, in the Valjoux design, to twenty-three. The result is a higher beat movement with a longer reserve.

For a fraction of the cost of a comparable Swiss chronograph it is a great value proposition.

GordonL · Apr 6, 2019

I think soviet-era and even some more modern russian watches are good value for money. The Poljot 3017 and 3133 chronos are solid movements which were standard issue for cosmonauts throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. The Bostok/Vostok Komandirskie and Amphibia divers are practically indestructable. A few of mine
Komandirskie for only £10:

Basic Pobeda from 1954:

1990s Poljot 3133 chrono:

1970s Sekonda 3017 chrono:

1970s Slava Rattrapante

tikkathree · Apr 6, 2019

I go through phases of like and dislike so I keep a few to stop me from impulse buying items such as this 24 hour dial Vostok which, obviously I bought on impulse and plan to put in one of the bigger cases.
The Poljot 3133s can be fun but often fetch as much as the pukka Valjoux movement watches and theres a lot of scope for buying a homage or a Franken watch.
I went through a scuba dude phase which was a very happy time learning to mod with rotors, movement holders, dials, handsets, bezels and inserts. If only the case sizes were a bit less 1960s I wear one now.
Swiss they ain't but tough and reliable they certainly are.

Ludi · Apr 6, 2019

tikkathree · Apr 6, 2019

Mac5
I've been searching for the very rare Soviet moon watch.....
Sorry, couldn't resist.

Here you go......Dead Link/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/273076281933
Sorry, couldn't resist.