Here is my collection of watches made in the old Soviet Union, which I have been collecting since early 2017. I like them because they were made for ordinary people who did not have great wealth.
They were watches for the people, built to last and easily repaired.
It is fitting that they should be watches which can be collected by people like me who are far from wealthy. There is bewildering array to choose from and collectors quickly become obsessed. This page is almost never going to be complete!
All the photos are my own and I would appreciate it if you would ask nicely if you wish to use them.
This is the oldest watch in my collection. It is a Pobeda 'Red 12' made in 1951. A lovely little watch that keeps good time. The seller advertised it as having been serviced and I am inclined to think that it is true.
This is a newer watch and the one that cost me the least amount of money! This is a Zim branded watch of uncertain age but must be from the late 1950's, early 60's. Keeps good time since I regulated it.
Next is a third generation Vostok Komanderskie and an early Zakaz mo CCCP model. From the 1970's. This watch could do with a service but mostly runs very well.
This is a Raketa 'UFO' or 'Puck' watch again from the 1970's. When I got it it did not run so I had it serviced and it is perfect now. The cosmetic condition is really good also.
This is a Vostok Amphibia from the mid 1980's. Designed to be used to a depth of 200m although one of this vintage could not be relied upon! This, along with my Poljot automatic, gets the most wear of all my vintage watches.
Another Pobeda, this one has a Zim movement. The unusual thing about this watch is the dial as I have not seen this pattern anywhere else and also it is not normal to see the 'Made in USSR' mark, either. I doubt if it has any real monetary value though!
This is a Poljot automatic that I picked up very cheaply - in fact it was a real bargain! I thought it was worth the money to get it serviced even though it was working well when I got it. Gold plated.
A Vostok Komanderskie from the 1980's (Zakaz mo CCCP) that I have had serviced but still lacks a setting lever making it tricky to wind. This dial is known as the 'Tankist' and is one of the best known Soviet watches.
Another Pobeda with a Zim movement from the 1980's with a nice blue guilloche type dial. Again not valuable but a great little watch with history.
This is a Slava day/date watch. A nice chunky watch that wears well and is easy to read. The golden numerals gleam in the sunlight.
Another Raketa, this time a gold plated 'dress' watch from the 1970's. Unfortunately the '2' has virtually disappeared from the dial. This is a nice, discreet watch. Minimal and quite stylish.
This is a Sekonda watch with a Raketa movement (2628), which I picked up very cheaply. Gold plated case and a nice, clean golden dial. Great, chunky watch with quite a bit of 'wrist presence'. Would date from sometime in the 1970's. Sekonda was the brand name given to USSR watches sold in the United Kingdom.
A Kirovskie 'Crab' watch from the First Moscow Watch Factory. Calibre 2408, 16 jewels. These watches are, apparently, notorious for having discoloured dials and the ones with clean dials fetch higher prices. It is a lovely watch, though, and keeps good time like all my USSR watches. This is from the late 1950s, early 1960s.
This is my birth year watch, a Pobeda from the 1st Moscow Watch Factory, made in 1953. In better nick for its age than I am.
