Collection of Slava wristwatches -slideshow

Slava Watch x 2

Not to forget that this is mainly a watch and clock blog, here are two Slavas in the same case but different everything else.

The case is in pseudo sports style but I like it. It is definitely from the times of the late USSR.

The first one is a 2427 Slava and catalogued here.

The second one is a 2428 Slava and is on a Nato Warsaw Pact strap, catalogued already here.

And now both of them together.

1989 Slava 3050 Wristwatch

A Slava 3050 quartz watch from my collection circa 1989.

A massive case, also a faceted plastic crystal (on the inside).

Water Resistance Marks on Watches

Here's a look at some water resistance marks on some of my watches.

According to Wikipedia, Water Resistant is a common mark stamped on the back of wrist watches to indicate how well a watch is sealed against the ingress of water. 

Any water resistance mark is better than none. One assumes that, if there is no such mark, the watch is not "sealed against the ingress of water", with most watches being in this category even now.

It has to be said though that the whole water resistance mark thing in watches had resisted standardization for a long time until some recent past, and some claims of water resistance had to be taken with skepticism but now there are at least two ISO standards dealing with the matter, though they are not universally applied, even in this day and age.

Watches from the Soviet and now Russian periods may continue to use non-standard water resistance marks. Here is a look at such marks and what they mean on the example of some of my own watches.

This Slava 3050 says Водонепроницаемые on the back which literally means "water-proof" as in "impermeable to water". But in reality it at best corresponds to the current standard of Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only and NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkeling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly not suitable for diving.

Two Zaria 3105.01 moon phase watches. The water resistance mark here says Водозащищенные which literally means "water protected" and in actual fact probably means same as above - Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only. NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkeling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly not suitable for diving. 

However, I should note that the back on those Zarias is very tight requiring a watchmaker's press to snap it back after you open it and there is also a rubber seal and some water repellent lubricant in the crown stem assembly. You could probably take a shower wearing it with no consequences.

Komandirskie 2416b above. Says Водонепроницаемые as in Slava 3050 above. But in this case I am willing to bet it corresponds to at least Water Resistant 5 ATM or 50 m, that is, suitable for swimming, white water rafting, non-snorkeling water related work, and fishing but NOT suitable for diving.

I showered with it on once myself no problem, except it's not good for the pressed leather strap, even though it is supposed to be water repellent treated. 

Slava 2416 Flotskie, above. Marine-themed, as Flotskie means of, or pertaining to, Fleet or Navy. The water resistant mark here says Повышенная водозащита which means "increased water protection" and there's a picture of a cute little dolphin for good measure on the back. Water born- and sea-dwelling creatures are often used to indicate water protection and not only in Russian watches. In this case we have also only basic water resistance as in Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only.

My Sturmanskie Strela 3133 Volmax mech chrono. Says Водонепроницаемые 30м, that is, exactly this: Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, meaning splash/rain resistant only, and NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkelling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly NOT suitable for diving. 

Also it is a mechanical pusher-operated chronograph and mechanical chronographs and water typically don't mix in any combination with few exceptions. 

A whole bunch of three Vostok Amphibias. These are the most water resistant Russian watches (second only to military spec Zlatoust divers). The back says Водонепроницаемые 200 м, i.e. Water Resistant 20 ATM or 200 m, meaning suitable for professional marine activity, serious surface water sports and skin diving and suitable for skin diving. Some even claim that they are more than that and can be used as professional divers but I have my doubts.

My experience, however, suggests these watches are good for a hot tub, sauna, steam bath, swimming pool -- used them in all of those places with no ill effect at least in the immediate aftermath. Though I replace them after about 3-4 years of use but never service.

And here's a bonus - my Seiko 5 cal. 7s26 of 2001 vintage below. The water mark here is again the non-standard WP probably meaning "water protected" - the most basic water protection offered by Seiko probably again corresponding to the current standard of Water Resistant 3 ATM or 30m, that is, splash/rain resistant only. NOT suitable for showering, bathing, swimming, snorkelling, water related work and fishing, and most certainly not suitable for diving.

Slava 2428 from 2012

Bought this one in early 2012 -- a Slava 2428 manual wind movement (no auto).

This watch is manual wind, has a central seconds hand, a day and date calendar, a quick date change pusher at 2 o'clock... and is in a pseudo-sports like case, meant to look heavy duty capable (but only look mind you  - style over substance) same as this one -- Slava 2427 Automatic.

Slava's 2428 manual wind movement... supposed to be more reliable than its related automatic 2427 movement, especially as regards calendar operation.

Back.

The case-back is off to look at the movement.

Nice looking compact movement with twin barrels.

Slava 2428 flyer.

Slava 2427 Automatic

Slava 2427, automatic, day-date calendar.

RDR

It is a current offering from Slava (what's left of it). Personally, I like it. 

The watch has a sporty-, heavy duty look about it -- but it's all for show, just style no substance, Slava made many such watches in the 1990s-2000s. But I still like them for some reason. 

A promo photo from Slava's website.

One look at the back will tell you the watch is an automatic.

It is.

The Slava caliber 2427 in a later years version... soon there will be no more of them. I think they will disappear before the handwind (i.e. S2409, S2414 and S2428) versions. The S2416 is already no more.

Twin barrels... only by Slava.

Watch of the Day: Slava 2428

Watch of the day (WOTD) some days back -- my Slava 2428, a current model bought, I think, in 2012.

Slava 2428, handwind, day-date calender -- not set.

Slava's twin barrels (and different color screws for some reason)

Slava 2414 Wristwatch

The Slava 2414 Spetsnazovskie (Spetsnaz) watch from my collection.

Powered by the Slava 2414 movement, one of Slava's 24xx series movements post-1960 -- one (date) calendar, central sweep second hand, manual winding.

Even though it says "Spetsnaz" on the dial and there's a an owl-like emblem (which may or may not be the emblem of Russia's Spetsnaz crack troops), there are no specific protective qualities -- no shock resist beyond basic and no water resistance. It is just Slava's military themed watch... they made many of those in the late 1990s - early 2000s. 

 


 

An owl in the top half of the dial.



... and says Spetsnaz at the bottom.



On wrist.

 


Movements shots, made later.

It is a Russian period 2414 movement, probably early 2000s.

Twin barrels.

A compact movement.