r/RussianWatches

Last year my grandfather passed away, and knowing I was interested in watches, my dad passed his old poljot watch down to me to restore. I got it serviced and, apart from the small crack in the crystal, it's looking good as new. Incredibly thin, easy to dress up, and very sentimental, it's quickly become my favourite watch.

Another one I forgot about

This was my first ever mechanical watch, and first soviet watch as well. I was about 15yo when i got this free from my schoolfriend whose father was a trucker and visited Russia and picked it up from there. I didn't know it was mechanical until i started turning the crown and it came to life. Had it serviced about 5 years ago for the first time and it runs smoothly. This is one of those watches that i'm never gonna sell. This is the watch that started it all. I'm now a watchmaker myself, partly because of inspiration of this watch.

I know, they’ve been to hell and back, but would love to have more info or opinions regarding the models and their movements. I know the Cauny is not russian. Any help appreciated.

Felt like wearing something vintage today.

I guess I'm officially a Russian watch guy now. Along with my existing Poljot and Vostok, I now added this beauty:

I know the internals are Russian due to this being a 70's-era TV Face Cornavin. I suspect a Slava 2427 is lurking beneath. I was wondering if anyone has experience with dual-language day indicators on these? Are they supposed to be off-center? And are they supposed to alternate between the two languages as well?

Would love to see more Russian Cornavins if any of you have em. 😁

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice as to whether either of these two Raketa Copernicus watches are legit or not. This will be my second vintage watch purchase so still very new to checking for authenticity. The movement pics are from the grey faced one, Ive yet to receive movement pics for the white one.

Does anyone know if this watch was made with non-cyrillic text on it? I'm not sure where to find any soviet catalogues for reference.

Both are listed for ~$170. Do you guys think either are worth a buy? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

​

Don't know if people in this sub are from the old Soviet Union, those who are would probably recognise this character. For everyone else this is from a Soviet cartoon based on a Swedish author Astrid Lindgren.

Just got it today. I don't know why, but I keep coming back to Amphibias. There is something so charming and unique to them...

I've never had a vintage watch but a couple of days ago I came across one that I couldn't get out of my head. I ordered it pretty fast, only to find out later that it's one of the most faked/frankestined watches out there. I am wondering how much of the one I ordered is authentic (dial, hands, case, crown, etc.). And if the parts are not authentic, if they have been swapped with parts from other Raketa watches or something else entirely.

For context: the seller already disclosed that the crystal has been replaced, and my own digging around tells me that the movement is slightly different than the original (Raketa 2609 HA instead of the original 2609 HP).

Thinking of buy this Slava for my wife, but would like to clean the dial a little bit. Any advice on what to use without damaging it?

Just finished a complete overhaul on this Raketa 2628.Н and thought some of you might appreciate the result.

This is one of the late Soviet / early Russian Raketa models collectors usually nickname the “Star Wars” because of the sharp octagonal case architecture and exposed bezel screws. The design is pure 1980s–90s Soviet industrial futurism.

The movement was fully stripped down to the last screw, cleaned in an ultrasonic bath, inspected, lubricated with fresh oils, reassembled, and regulated. The calendar mechanism was also serviced since these 2628 movements often develop stiffness in the day-date works after decades without maintenance.

What I particularly like about this example is the combination of textures and shapes:

• silver grained dial
• applied gold-tone markers
• matte black hands
• faceted crystal
• geometric multi-angle case construction

The watch still carries light signs of honest wear, but I intentionally avoided polishing the case too aggressively. On watches like this, preserving the original edges and factory geometry matters much more than making everything look artificially new.

It’s also fitted with a period-correct NOS ZIM bracelet which suits the case surprisingly well.

Mechanically, these Raketa calibers are very straightforward and robust when properly serviced. No luxury finishing, no unnecessary complications — just practical engineering built to run for decades.

Always satisfying bringing one of these unusual Raketas back to life.

IMO, the best watch ever made in the USSR. A timeless classic.

inally finished servicing this 1980s Soviet Poljot alarm watch today.
These old USSR alarm movements are always fun to work on — this one uses the mechanical Poljot 2612.1 caliber with that classic loud buzzing alarm instead of anything electronic.

The watch came in pretty tired internally: old dried oils, weak amplitude, alarm mechanism slightly out of adjustment. After a full disassembly, cleaning, lubrication and regulation, it’s now running properly again and the alarm works exactly how it should.

I really like the design on this one too. Grey dial, Roman numerals, simple Soviet styling without trying too hard. These Poljot alarm watches have a lot of character on the wrist, especially compared to modern watches that all start looking the same.

Always satisfying bringing one of these Soviet mechanical pieces back to life instead of letting it sit forgotten in a drawer for another 20 years.

⌚ USSR Poljot Alarm
⌚ First Moscow Watch Factory
⌚ Cal. 2612.1
⌚ 18 jewels
⌚ Mechanical alarm complication

Would love to hear who else here collects Soviet alarm watches.

I bought this from an Italian seller. Paid 40EUR total. How do you guys like it? Doesn't look like a Franken to me. I know the bracelet is not original, seller told me in advance. Have a good day!