Jump to content

Mostly Russians, and few Japanese and Swiss


VWatchie

Recommended Posts

I keep my watches in a cardboard box from IKEA (Yes, I'm Swedish). When I see an interesting watch on eBay, I buy it, service it (if I have the time), and wear it (if serviced) for a while. It then goes into the cardboard box. I've been meaning to inventory that cardboard box for a long time, but for fear of finding too many watches (is there such a thing?) I've been putting it off. Anyway, today was D-day, and I took a picture of each. Most of them were bought on eBay but not all. Some I have built and/or modified myself. I haven't yet written any documentation, but please feel free to ask if you see anything that catches your eye. BTW, the Panerai is fake! I don't like fake watches. I don't wear them, I don't buy them (anymore), and I don't sell them. Oh, and there is another one on its way from Moscow; a vintage Vostok Radio Room Amphibia (can't wait for it). I'll list it first. Hope you'll enjoy!

29600256918_b7cd922896_o.jpg28582237037_856f38038b_o.jpg28582236827_709abac482_o.jpg28582236697_919cfb8664_o.jpg28582236597_cd782fb09c_o.jpg28582236367_f7f6e8cb7b_o.jpg42564359765_3acc788013_o.jpg42564359645_ef3994d4a2_o.jpg42564359515_10624ff67c_o.jpg42564359345_021be3dc0f_o.jpg42564359235_7fe687b84c_o.jpg42564359045_64f2509135_o.jpg42564358945_3028ce43c2_o.jpg42564358725_f56394a1a9_o.jpg42564358585_7e63d5d180_o.jpg42564358455_df652a7faf_o.jpg42564358285_abc84ab925_o.jpg42564358115_c270797d3a_o.jpg42564358025_96e7c476e9_o.jpg42564357915_06e09cf7bc_o.jpg42564357695_d008aa6757_o.jpg42564357495_236d1d2859_o.jpg42564357295_71df1da6fd_o.jpg42564357115_caf0075e12_o.jpg42564357015_103b95eff9_o.jpg42564356765_5be4153e5d_o.jpg43468755121_960522cd91_o.jpg43468754861_62165b7097_o.jpg43468754681_954771af5b_o.jpg43468754341_3f68bfd48b_o.jpg43468754121_951661aefe_o.jpg43468753891_64b7590271_o.jpg43468753651_f38f44df52_o.jpg43468753271_a00fc0b542_o.jpg43468753001_b74081dfe3_o.jpg43468752711_46ba20ec02_o.jpg43468752451_bce942cc2d_o.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, and thanks for asking! Yes, I do! Start with Vostok (brand) Amphibian (model). Extremely reliable (AKA AK47 of the watch world), special and affordable. If you haven't seen this video and you're considering a Russian watch, you just have to see it. If you wish to buy new, I recommend meranom.com. Once you've been bitten, continue with Raketa and Poljot. There are many more Russian brands but those mentioned are the big ones. Good luck and let me know if I can be of help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

To add to the Russian watch fun, I opened the drawer (sorry not an Ikea :unsure:) and pulled my working Russian watches out. I do have more Russian "projects" (Vostok & Poljot) to assemble, but with already so many watches to choose from, these "projects" have to wait ...... 

Sorry for the poor picture quality, my Japanese camera did "funny" today ....... perhaps affected by the heat-wave?

The Vostoks below do have various types of Vostok movements; 2209, 2409, 2415, 2416B

Vos-1.thumb.jpg.a34cf388c47a26e4f1b07881d2a4890b.jpg

Vos-2.thumb.jpg.0f74d77cf9a7651d3fb959d0652686d5.jpg

Vos-3.thumb.jpg.4eaf567516c7ab2914ac2d93386444db.jpgVos-4.thumb.jpg.7c924cd9a4c36363f714adf5d937538c.jpgVos-5.thumb.jpg.958e8082003e3a0233a6511c62979535.jpg

Vos-6.thumb.jpg.4b385b4bb9407b75605fa05386ff782c.jpg

Vos-7.thumb.jpg.4f2848b7b98c7344d8ef85660e16e8b8.jpg

The watch below has a well made, but fake dial ...... unfortunately even the Vostok (eBay) market gets flooded with fake dials, especially the "sought after" older (USSR-, CCCP & 3AKA3-dials. Vostok 2209 movement.

Vos-8.thumb.jpg.3d42263178135d9605067f98aeac45b1.jpgVos-9.thumb.jpg.a32988da7c5787f049f62f85997207e7.jpgVos-10.thumb.jpg.dcca6727cb28d7c597468a4dfdc7f122.jpgVos-11.thumb.jpg.5f829408268b19ab640204c928fd1f8e.jpg

Top twp dials are originals, bottom one is fake;

Vos-12.thumb.jpg.a17eef62422ee4010f53fc137b5d67e5.jpg

Nearly original N.O.S. Poljot Sturmanskie 3133 (wrong chronograph seconds-hand, the original hand got damaged when I, after nearly 30 years, pulled it off for a watch service. I still have to find a way to repair the original hand pipe-bushing )

Pol-1.thumb.jpg.bc16fe85446dca510000dfd83283a8df.jpg

Original N.O.S.Poljot Sturmanskie 31659 but in a different new, original 1980's Poljot housing:

Pol-2.thumb.jpg.0dafae0db3928aefd3bb140dfab5ba10.jpg

As @VWatchie says, the Vostoks are AKA AK47 but can be a bit "off". However if you spend enough time in adjusting them (while wearing), they can run pretty accurate. Some of my watches run on the wrist within +2 sec / day........ better than my Rolex !

Be very aware of 3133 "Franken" Poljots !! There are many fake dials out there too ....... Here a link to educate yourself of what could be fake, but the list has grown a lot longer since ....... : http://www.polmax3133.com/guide.html

Hope this forum will get some more Russian watch enthusiast ......... :thumbsu:

Hmmm ......... which one shall I wear today ?? :startle:

 

Edited by Endeavor
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Found some more in the drawer .....

Vos-14.thumb.jpg.a90335ce13fd04c07129e6f8356b504c.jpg

and "finally"(?) an immaculate N.O.S. Molnija 3602 Serkisof "Rail road" pocket watch;

Molnja-1.thumb.jpg.9cf45f78952b8b43d4cbe8288560291a.jpgMolnja-2.thumb.jpg.b5e9afc3e797538fae612489bbb953ee.jpg

The Molnija's do have an interesting background and the 3602 movement was used, among others, by Rolex. I sold off a more rare N.O.S. Molnija "Rail road watch" with a "shock-proof" 3603 movement;

 

Here is some more information about Molnija: http://linuxfocus.org/~guido/molnija-pocket-watch/

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for sharing your collection of Russian watches! I always get warm at heart seeing these watches! Yes, definitely the downside of these watches is that you get so many of them (as they are so affordable) that it's hard to choose which one to wear. ;)

I have very little experience with other watch brands, but I suspect that positional deviations are somewhat larger than on the finer Swiss and Japanese brands. However, in my experience, they are consistent and can, as you say, be regulated to within +/- a few seconds.

Well, that link you shared about the Poljot cal. 3133 Chronograph was certainly very serious and very useful for anyone into these movements. I'm sure it will come very handy one day. Thanks! :thumbsu:

Edited by VWatchie
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@VWatchie: it's to hope that more people on this forum will get bitten by the Russian watch "bug" !

For people who are interested in servicing the Poljot 3133 (31659) (the old Swiss Valjoux 7734); I did a walk-through a bit more then a year ago; https://www.watchrepairtalk.com/topic/6189-poljot-31659-chronograph-service/?tab=comments#comment-62446

So far, I also don't have much experience with other Russian watch-brands either. There are probably valid reasons why Poljot , Molnija and Vostok are well known brands. In the end of the day, Poljot & Molnija are ex-Swiss ......

Looking very much forward in seeing more (people with) Russian watches, talk about them, exchange (modification) ideas or chase the more rare examples...... even though I have "a few", I just can't get enough ...... :D

I enjoy very much that you are one of Russian watch fans ! :thumbsu:

 

Edited by Endeavor
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Inspired again by @VWatchie affectionate passion for Russian watches, I just given another Vostok a total service; out of the darkness of the drawer into the daylight. This time a Komandirskie "Red star" 3AKA MO CCCP. It seems pretty original and is in nice condition, but since I'm personally not so attracted to these "golden cases", it will some day go on the Bay.

861545054_Komandirskieredstar.thumb.jpg.a59dade0e235d4af2b282dc8b6c5c350.jpg

Dial down;

2081015952_VostokredstarDD.PNG.194b34db5f18298c2e56ad8cf03082ca.PNG

Hopefully I can make somebody happy with it and that it gets the wrist time it deserves B)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quite a collection you have there, looks nice. It's almost like a "which watch doesn't belong" kinda thing with the Panerai being in quite a different category from the rest. A wonderful collection though. I have a bit of everything myself. All mainly that I bought and services as well. There's something quite different from a watch you just buy and wear to one you buy, fix, then wear... Your connected more to that watch. That's how I find myself anyway. I have a few projects I'm trying to work on but time is a luxury at times. Lol... Lovely collection nonetheless!

Sent from my Z956 using Tapatalk

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

@VWatchie; you told me in a PM so passionate about the beauty of the Radio-Room dial you own. A friend of mine is a (retired) Radio-operator and I used to spent many hours talking to him in his Radio-room. Here is a picture of one of the radio-rooms he used to work in:

1000683370_phugradiotafel.thumb.jpg.520266cce48d359c15fdeb5060f0fee8.jpg

I have fond memories of those times and tried already a few times to create a watch to commemorate these pleasant memories. The very first Vostok I bought had the white Vostok RR-dial but that dial didn't work for me. I tried the black Vostok RR-dial, but that one didn't work either. Inspired by VWatchies CCCP Radio-Room dial and the funky hands on his Yuri Gagarin watch (3rd from the top) I did my last attempt with the "silver/Bronse" colored Vostok RR-dial ..... finally I may be onto something which could work for me, and ........ it pretty much matches the clock in the room my friend used to work in !!

Vos-15.thumb.jpg.92876e02fe69510a62848a955e8db11b.jpg

Sometimes things have to "mature" to come to full fruition. Thank you Ed for the pleasant hours we had together !

Thank you VWatchie for inspiring me again :thumbsu:   Looking forward seeing your new vintage RR-watch out of Moscow, should be in by now !?

Edited by Endeavor
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your RR watch is probably as close as it can get to your friend's RR clock. The dial is indeed very similar, and it's the perfect, most clock-like case. Beautiful black hands (especially the seconds hand) and I really like your choice of the strap as well matching perfectly with the bezel. Wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

Edited by VWatchie
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can, as a starter, look at this webpage; http://www.polmax3133.com/guide.html

It says that Poljot ceased the production of the 3017 in 1979. After the collapse of the Soviet Union; Juri Levenberg came along ......... :

  Juri_Baselworld.thumb.jpg.e53fcf3db61e235b1d141a0ee7206f02.jpg

The history of Russian watches is very "colorful" ...... to put it mildly.......

It is paramount, if you like to continue with Russian watches, that you educate yourself.

Edited by Endeavor
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Endeavor said:

You can, as a starter, look at this webpage; http://www.polmax3133.com/guide.html

It says that Poljot ceased the production of the 3017 in 1979. After the collapse of the Soviet Union; Juri Levenberg came along ......... :

  Juri_Baselworld.thumb.jpg.e53fcf3db61e235b1d141a0ee7206f02.jpg

The history of Russian watches is very "colorful" ...... to put it mildly.......

It is paramount, if you like to continue with Russian watches, that you educate yourself.

Russian watches are like battle ships I have no interest in them, I got the watch in Rimini Italy while on holiday off a market stall holder for 30 euro, he was Russian and had loads of Russian watches, as there is a big Russian population there plus Russians go there on holiday I think there was a Russian POW camp there during the war....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Thanks, This watch was in a box of old scrape units that a friend gave me. They used to be his late father's who was a watchmaker before the war and then continued later in life. I picked this one out as it looked like it had potential, and I liked the dial, it's been a bit of a learning curve for a beginner but I was determined to get it going. Now I'm on the final lap it feels good. I'm just wondering whether to invest in a decent set of hand placement tools or stick with the cheap Chinese red thing I have, decisions decision 😆
    • An update, for everyone who contributed advice, and for those who come after with a similar problem. Based on the answers received, I decided to work on the face of the hammer first. I used a square degussit stone to guarantee a vertical surface to work against, and ground the face back until it was square across 90% of the depth. I was conscious of the risk of removing too much material.* After I'd got the shape how I wanted it, I polished the surface with lapping film. To cut a long story short, it did the trick and the hammer hasn't slipped off the cam since. Of course, that wasn't the end of my problems. Have a look at this video and tell me what you think is wrong. https://youtu.be/sgAUMIPaw98 The first four attempts show (0 to 34 sec.) the chrono seconds hand jumping forwards, the next two attempts (35 to 47 sec.) seem "normal", then on the seventh attempt (48 to 54 sec.) the seconds hand jumps to 5 sec. and the minute counter jumps to 1. The rest of the video just shows repeats of these three variants. I solved it by rotating the minute counter finger on the chronograph (seconds) runner relative to the cam.  I'd be interested to hear your opinions on that. It seemed to be the right thing to do, but maybe I've introduced another problem I'm not aware of. * What is the correct relationship between the two hammers and cams, by the way? Should both hammers strike the cams exactly at the same time, or is it correct for the minute counter hammer to be a bit behind the seconds hammer? In this picture, I removed the adjusting screw at 1, and the hammers are contacting the cams simultaneously at 3 and 4. I had to turn the screw down tight to achieve this condition after stoning the seconds hammer and replacing the bridge.
    • It was easy enough to pop off. Once I had the cannon pinion hanging on the blades of the stump, I got my #2 tweezers on the gear attached to the staff and levered it down. That way none of the force was on the brass wheel itself.   I reinstalled it and the bridge, and it looks like a small but reasonable amount of end shake. It also spins easily with a blower. It stops quickly, but I think that's due to the large shoulder and about what I'd expect from this wheel.  
    • Oh, right. For some reason I was picturing a monocoque case in my head. Good looking watch!
    • Well said Ross. My reason for the thread, i like many of us dont want to lose the forum, such a well knitted group of individuals i feel. But things can happen out of anyone's control. Would be nice to have something in place just in case, if anyone has any ideas please speak up. 
×
×
  • Create New...