Comments on: Russian Watches

By: C Carrier

C Carrier — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:15:35 +0000

Any comments on the Buran 3133 manual wind movement? I have 3 of these and from the back they look very well made. I have yet to service one however.

By: Tralamtam

Tralamtam — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 03:30:25 +0000

These are links to the internet site of a Russian watch enthusiast (just in case you are interested).A professional watchmaker or watch repairer I assume. Unfortunately everything is in Russian. No translation, although you can try an automatic one from Google. The site is called “A private collection of unusual antique watches”
http://german242.com/w/bure_split/bure.htm
This is a Pavel Bure stopwatch, rattrapante, the end of XIX century.
http://german242.com/w/hauth/hauth.htm
And this here is a marine chronometer Fridriech Hauth, made for the Russian imperial navy in Saint Petersbourg at the beginning of XIX century.

By: J.Peter

J.Peter — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 02:21:18 +0000

Tralamtam, you are correct. I should have said Soviet, not Russian. The Pavel Bure was from Imperial Russia, now that was a nice watch!

By: Tralamtam

Tralamtam — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:49:35 +0000

The point here is not about „Russian“ watches but about „Soviet“ watches. You are excused not to know the difference, but a difference there is and a big one. „Soviet“ was something (something you used to fear) and „Russian“ is nothing ( a third world country). Soviet are the watches you should look for. You can still buy them cheap on e-bay and take a look. Watches from the 50-s, 60-s, 70-s. Pobeda’s, Raketa’s and Vostok’s too but mostly Poljot. I have a pocket Molnia from 1954 which is as accurate and beautiful as any Swiss watch from the same period, maybe because it is or it looks like a Swiss Cortebert, only soviet made. Not to mention a Poljot from the 60-s or 70-s, I recently acquired in Bulgaria. The watch was most certainly never used, but was serviced (I bought it from a local watchmaker). The case is plated with gold -20 microns gold. The case is flawless, the movement exquisite and the accuracy of the watch is consistent +2,+3 seconds per 24 hours. I’m not saying it is as good as an Omega from the same period but it is at least 90% as good as the Omega and after 40 years you can still buy one for $60 and put it on your hand as a dress watch. And by the way even the cheap soviet Komandirskie, which are not as well made as a Seiko 5 are exactly as accurate as my last three Seiko 5′s – +25 minutes per 24 hours.

By: richard

richard — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:19:10 +0000

Vostok means East and the watches were originally made in the 2nd Moscow watch factory.
I have the Kremlinskie Automatic and it’s been fantastic for the 5 years I’ve owned it.
one of the only manufacturers of sub $500 watches who state the micron thickness of the Gold Plating…in fact TAG Heuer don’t even state it!!!

By: Rrryan

Rrryan — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:55:44 +0000

I would add as well that a major potential source of the poor reputation surrounding these is likely the use of organic lubricants by the Soviets vs. modern synthetics as well as a price point and a difficulty finding willing watchmakers that has led to years/decades of neglect by their newer owners. When they were new, these were expected to be serviced every year or two by design. Many years of running them dry by enthusiasts accustomed to synthetically-lubed Swiss/Japanese calibers can have a permanent detrimental effect on performance and timekeeping (which admittedly wasn’t even too great in the first place).

These definitely aren’t haute horlogerie, weren’t terribly high-quality to begin with and shouldn’t be compared to quality modern calibers, but an example that has been conscientiously and competently maintained can often be capable of shockingly good performance considering the entry price.

The reputation that currently surrounds them is at least partly owner-induced in my opinion. If we consider a watch that was made in 1989 to modest quality standards using dated technologies and has never been serviced in the ensuing decades, the criticism of the original manufacture starts to seem at least slightly misplaced.

By: Tick Talk » Looking for a Deal?

Tick Talk » Looking for a Deal? — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:01:29 +0000

[...] Watch Lover left a comment about my review of a Vostok watch I serviced. He asks what I would recommend for a mechanical watch [...]

By: J.Peter

J.Peter — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 02:58:47 +0000

RWL, I’m going to work on a post to answer your question about mechanical watches for under $100 look for it this month.

By: Russian Watch Lover

Russian Watch Lover — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:18:19 +0000

Very interesting comments. While the movement of the Vostok shown is definitely not Swiss-grade, that watch only costs about $50. Given the price, these watches have proven to be pretty reliable. I have numerous Vostoks and enjoy them all. I’d love to hear your opinion as to what the best mechanical movement is for watches in the under $100 category. Any thoughts on that? Thank you!

By: Speedmaster

Speedmaster — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:05:28 +0000

I’ve had two recent (last 10 years) Russian mechanical watches. One Poljot (handwound) and one Vostok (automatic). I found the finish to be completely non-existent, and the quality very spotty.