Greetings from Samarkand, Uzebkistan.
Aside from silk road marvels I had a bit of down time to hunt for watches. Well the borders of the soviet union were sealed off so well that my guide, who is also a watch buff, says one only finds soviet watches here.
I found the following soviet military dive watch but it was so heavy that frankly I could not bring myself to buying it. Especially since I cannot wear it and its not running, missing a crown, and I could not open it.
However, I’m curious whether anyone has seen any like this and might know more?

Best regards
S

 

Wow, that thing looks massive. Sorry, I don't know anything about it.

 

From the Khyber Pass School of Watchmaking? I've owned plenty of Vostoks, Poljots and Raketas but never before in my wildest dreams....

 

I googled it. I believe it's called a Zlatoust 191-ChS and they were made for quite a long time, 1950s-1970s. It should have a canteen crown with a chain. 60mm! In working order, they seem to sell for $500-$700 on eBay.

 

Come on, you could have used as a clock...or doorstop

 

Looks like a leaked Panerai prototype from Baselworld 2019

 

Is that a belt buckle for ballast?

 

It's the screws on the dial that complete the look for me.

 

With the inefficiencies of the communist era Soviet Union economy, things had to serve two purposes. When these watches got flooded/ quit running it was common to grind the lugs off and use them as hockey pucks. The Soviets loss to the USA in 1980 in hockey can be contributed to this. The Soviets were simply used to having a heavier, less bouncy puck.

 

FIFY.

Are you visiting CarJackistan too?

 

I almost bought something similar a couple of years ago. Can’t remember the price but it wasn’t too bad. The hard thing is distinguishing between old ones and modern reproductions. The one I looked at appeared to be numbered and whilst I didn’t really have a clue a few guys that I asked thought it was OK. Not sure whether black finishing is more or less common (or even right or wrong). How much were they asking for that one Syrte ?



Edit to add. I found an old discussion thread on the one I’d seen. I think it sold for around 600, but maybe I remembered wrong about the authenticity as quite a few replies were cynical.

http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showthread.php?69034-Russian-diver&highlight=Russian

 

It's a big 'un!

Would double as armor for the wrist.

Fun photo, to see you modeling it on your wrist.

 

Thank you so much, and also @w154!
I’m pretty sure I could have had it for 15 dollars. But I didn’t even ask how much it was as again - broken and without crown I knew I would not take on the project.
And it weighs at least 2 kilos!
I’d rather carry silk embroideries

 

Originally produced in the 50s and 60s I reckon, and reproduced in recent years ... with a very sensible destro option

 

I found this article http://www.uniquewatchguide.com/russian-diver-watch/

 

Well we were going to do much better than that.... our initial itinerary was to drive down right near the Afghan border (not on the Afghan side though) and see the so-called “friendship bridge” which the soviet tanks crossed for their Afghanistan war. For a number of reasons we had to change our itinerary, but in any event everywhere we’ve been has felt much safer than certain areas of Jersey City did not so long ago.... CarJackistan sounds to me like it’s somewhere in the Americas. (Although South Africa has a pretty horrendous record on that front and must be “CarJackistan Central”).

Er ...? I detect a joke but I must be missing it alas

 

Numbered eh? Limited Edition with added rarity value.
The magnitude of your tactical blunder in not snapping this up (and developing a relationship as sole Country Importer) is becoming apparent. Mind you the excess baggage surcharge would have taken the shine off the deal.

Screws? Surely that's the "angle of attack" complication?

 

Hilarious! Thanks for the contribution
I love history.

Thanks gents for the info!!

 

15bux? I would have a hard time walking away from it

 

My trip isn’t finished yet, we have to hand carry our luggage accross land borders, with mini vans driving us through no man’s lands accross various border posts— every gram better be worth it.