Mostly Russians, and few Japanese and Swiss

[VWatchie]

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!

[Alaskamick]

A great collection. I've been drawn to Russian watches lately but knowing nothing of the names I'm unsure what's good and what isn't.

Have you any pointers to guide a Russian novice ?

[VWatchie]

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!

[Alaskamick]

Thanks a lot VWatchie. Very helpful.

[Alaskamick]

PS. I've just watched the video and I think I will soon own one of these.Thanks again, Mike

[clockboy]

Nice collection.

[VWatchie]

Just realized I have written about one of the mod watches in my collection; the watch with the "Three Crows" dial and yellow and blue strap. Click here if interested.

[Endeavor]

Very nice collection with some exclusive dials ........ how do you some the problem "which one and when to wear"?

Edited August 6, 2018 by Endeavor

[Endeavor]

To add to the Russian watch fun, I opened the drawer (sorry not an Ikea ) 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

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.

Top twp dials are originals, bottom one is fake;

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 )

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

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 .........

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

 

Edited August 7, 2018 by Endeavor

[Endeavor]

Found some more in the drawer .....

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

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/

[VWatchie]

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! 

Edited August 8, 2018 by VWatchie

[Endeavor]

@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 ......

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

 

Edited August 8, 2018 by Endeavor

[Endeavor]

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.

Dial down;

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

[Mattaphysics]

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

[Endeavor]

@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:

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 !!

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    Looking forward seeing your new vintage RR-watch out of Moscow, should be in by now !?

Edited August 24, 2018 by Endeavor

[VWatchie]

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 August 26, 2018 by VWatchie

[BUSAKAZ]

My little contribution to this page.........

[clockboy]

Nice

[Endeavor]

@BUSAKAZ: Very nice looking column-wheel operated chronograph. Hardly any, if any, signs of being "fiddled" with. Did you investigate the authenticity and from which year this export model it is?

[BUSAKAZ]

3 minutes ago, Endeavor said:

@BUSAKAZ: Very nice looking column-wheel operated chronograph. Hardly any, if any, signs of being "fiddled" with. Did you investigate the authenticity and from which year this export model it is?

Thanks, no can you help...

[BUSAKAZ]

6 minutes ago, clockboy said:

Nice

Thanks 

[Endeavor]

@BUSAKAZ; Do you remember when and where you bought it? Do you have a much bigger close up of the movement? Perhaps from different angles. The Poljot stamp should be underneath the balance.

Edited August 30, 2018 by Endeavor

[BUSAKAZ]

2 minutes ago, Endeavor said:

@BUSAKAZ; Do you remember when and where you bought it? Do you have a much bigger close up of the movement? Perhaps from different angles. The Poljot stamp should be underneath the balance.

Ok I will have a look when I finish work thanks.

[Endeavor]

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 ......... :

 

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 August 30, 2018 by Endeavor

[BUSAKAZ]

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 ......... :

 

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....