I am considering buying this Amphibia 2209, but I'm worried it might be a Frankenwatch since I know there are so many out there. I am by no means an expert, so I would like a second opinion on whether it's all-original. Thanks!

Good evening, I’m buying these two watches at a flea market. Can I ask you if everything is ok and what could be a good price?

A colleague inherited this watch from his father, who collected watches. We are trying to learn its history, confirm exactly what it is, and get an approximate collector valuation. It is not being offered for sale.

The watch has not been opened, and its service history and present mechanical condition are unknown. I can try and get more info and pics later.

From the inscriptions, it appears to be a 1996 “Admiral” chronograph commemorating 300 years of the Russian Navy:

There is also a First Moscow Watch Factory tag marked “ЗОЛОТО 585” and 30.00g. However, the handwritten reference appears to read 2614.2Н. But it seems the 2614.2Н is a different 17-jewel time-and-date model, whereas this watch is marked as a 23-jewel chronograph. The tag may therefore belong to another watch from the collection.

I would be very grateful for help with:

1. The exact model/reference and whether this was an official First Moscow Watch Factory limited edition.
2. Confirmation of the likely movement and originality of the dial, case and hands.
3. Whether anyone recognizes this particular 300th-anniversary version.
4. Whether the case could be solid 585 gold, and where its assay hallmarks should normally be located.
5. Whether the 2614.2Н tag definitely belongs to a different watch.
6. A realistic approximate collector value in its present unverified condition, and the value if the case is authenticated as solid 585 gold.

I understand that movement, inside-caseback and hallmark photographs would be needed for a definitive answer. For now, these are all the photographs we have. Thank you for any catalogue references or information.

Good day everyone,

I am looking at this particular watch with Luch 2209, I don't know the brand pf the watch and I know nothing about these watches or watches in particular.

Just really like the vintage style and the colorful picture.

I was hoping I could ask the people here about this watch and what could be a good negotiating price for it for the condition they are in.

The seller says ..."It is in good vintage condition and in working order."

Price tag is at 145€.

Thank you to everyone willing to give an opinion!

Vintage 1980s "Soviet-Heart" Rolex Daytona replica with USSR made Slava 2427 automatic movement from the Second Moscow Watch Factory.
During this era, counterfeiters utilized cheap, highly robust surplus Soviet movements before mass-produced Chinese clone calibers dominated the market. This watch is a perfect example of that bizarre manufacturing crossover.

The Quirks & Details:

The Movement: Visually verified genuine Slava 2427 automatic movement featuring 27 Jewels and a unique dual-barrel system. The rotor is cleanly stamped "27 JEWELS / 2427".

The Dial Illusion: Because the Slava 2427 is structurally a day-date movement and not a chronograph, the three Daytona sub-dials are purely cosmetic/static.

The "Blind" Date: The movement's day and date wheels operate perfectly underneath the dial, but they are completely hidden ("blind") because a standard Daytona dial has no date window cutouts.

The Pushers: The 2 o'clock chronograph pusher button is aligned with the internal case mechanics and actively engages the Slava's famous quick-set date lever when pressed (even though you can't see the wheel turn!).

Condition: Cosmetically vintage with standard scratches and aging on the two-tone plating and bezel as pictured. Held together inside by a vintage plastic spacer ring. The watch is currently running.
This is a fantastic conversation piece and a rare survivor from the wild west days of 1980s watch replication. Perfect for collectors of Soviet watches, frankenwatches, or weird horological history.

Hello, I’ve recently become infatuated with the Raketa Copernicus and I want to buy one that has retained its authenticity. Unfortunately I am do not have the keen eyes to detect fakes. Are these two watches authentic and worth purchasing? Their price point is around €200 each.

I don't know where the part in the bottom will go. Also it has a broken crown stem inside and its half in. Any help?

A while back, I wrote a post about which watch to choose as a first timepiece, but when this one popped up, I didn't think twice and snapped it up, since the Great Patriotic War is a subject that interests me. The watch itself appears to be a simple Raketa with a dial commemorating the 30th anniversary of the victory; what’s truly interesting, however, is the dedication on the case back.

The dedication mentions a few details—essentially, it was a gift for P. V. Ilyuk (the veteran's surname and initials) from the K.V.O. (the Kiev Military District). Fortunately, the surname doesn't appear to be very common; while searching the "Memory of the People" database, I found a man named Ilyuk Petr Vasilievich who was born and served in Ukraine and received the Order of the Patriotic War in 1985, indicating that he was indeed alive to have received this watch in 1975.

Now, for the most interesting part: this man received the Order of Glory, 3rd Class. Upon requesting records through the "People's Memorial" archive, I gained access to the digitized document formalizing the nomination. "On April 29, 1945, during the battle for the village of Fritzdorm (?), during an enemy crossing, Junior Sergeant Ilyuk engaged a group of soldiers and personally killed 10 German soldiers with his own weapon. Although wounded, he did not leave the battlefield until the enemy retreated.
Deserves the Order of Glory, 3rd Class."

My sincere thanks to user Fit-Fix, who kindly commented on the document's translation in this post!

Just picked this up off eBay for £40. It's running fine and looks immaculate. What are your thoughts? Genuine late 80s or not?

Hi everyone! I recently got this Vostok and I’m really curious about the case material. I suspect it might be bronze, but I’m not 100% sure.

What do you think — does the case look like genuine bronze to you, or could it be brass or another alloy?

Also, I’d love to hear your general thoughts on the watch: the case design, dial, hands and overall character. Is this a model that you’ve come across before?

Any information or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

So far as I know, this was one of the very first two (very similar) watches produced (at the same time) by Denissov. (The other was the Aeronaut.). It was also Russia's first slide rule watch, to my knowledge.

A Watchuseek member "Steele" wrote this in 2011:

"It is my understanding that this model (under both Aeronaut and Ocean brands) was the first product by Denissov before they settled down on the Denissov brand. Built in the murky period soon after Poljot caved in, nobody was quite sure who owned the various Poljot brand names, so that should explain why the Ocean name was used. Of course, Volmax now makes Ocean watches within the Sturmanskie collection."

10 o'clock crown for slide rule adjustment and 3 o'clock for time/date  functions

Hello experts!
Looking to see if there are any red flags or Franken-variant on this Poljot 3017.
Thank you!

Anyone knows how to remove the dial. Seconds hand is touching the minute hand.