1950s russian auto/mech for under $50?

[SirSamkin]

Hey everyone, this will be my first adventure into both "non quartz" and Russian watches. I was hoping to get an auto or mechanical from the 1950s for under 50$ (shipping included). I see a bunch on EBay, but I don't know what's good. What do you suggest? ( they can be rough looking. I know my price point is a little ambitious.)
Here's where I was looking:

http://shop.mobileweb.ebay.com/searc...=0&y=0&cmd=SKW

[DolleDolf]

With an autmoatic you probably are pushing your luck a little but there are a few choices. Pobeda, Kirovskie, slava and perhaps even an occasional poljot, depending on condition. Keep in mind that the brands do not necessarily mean the same as the manufacturer, the brands were at times made by different manufacturers. If you stick to sellers like sovieterawatch, romantic_time, sovietrarities, and tdn74-2008 you should be able to avoid most of the franken watches. Good luck!

[Perdendosi]

Hi Sir--
Why do you want something pre-1950? If this is just to admire for the historical significance, go for it. If it's actually to wear, well, I'd think twice.

Mechanical watches are mechanical -- they have gears, and there's friction, and oil gets gummy... and if watches aren't serviced regularly, that means that they stop working. Russian watches are known for their reliability and durability, but a 60 year old watch is going to take loving care (and probably a $100+ service bill, if you can find someone to service it.)

That's the same reason why American and Swiss watches from that era (like Hamilton and Gruen and a few others) can be had on eBay for relatively little money.

I just say this because I don't want to sour you on automatics or mechanicals, or Russians, for that matter. They're fun, interesting, display craftsmanship that you just don't get with quartzes. They're dependent on you; they feel alive. But starting with something this old, it's more likely than not that you'll run into problems later on.

For around $50, you can get any number of interesting Chinese watches (with a Sea-Gull movement) that run very well, and range from mediocre fit and finish to some pretty nice ones. (My Chronotac cost me about that used, and keeps the best time of all my watches. Parnis makes some interesting watches, too.) Orient watches, with their own, in-house movements can be found for around that price. Or, there's always the Komandirskie, which you can get for at or below $50 shipped from chistopolcity.com (I can vouch for them). There, you get only a chrome plated case, with a steel caseback, but people here can't stop collecting them. They're too addictive. :)

There are many watches from the 80s that I'd trust more if you actually want a timepiece that will work.

Those are just my thoughts, and I'm pretty new here, so maybe I'm not worth listening to... :)

Good luck.

(EDIT: P.S. Don't trust a seller to date a watch. Two weeks ago I bought a watch that was about 5 years old, and the seller listed it from the 1970s. Show your examples here and the experts will be able to date them for you!)

[SirSamkin]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice. I was interested in the early 50s watches because that was the end of Stalin, and a time of great change. With a watch that old, those scratches on the face could be from careless handling, or from when the wearer was arrested in a KGB raid. There's a lot of history to be had.

Cheers!

[SirSamkin]

How does this one look? I really like it.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...692&cmd=VIDESC

[DolleDolf]

It is from a good seller. However, the "red 12" is something special. Supposedly approved by the butcher-in-chief himself. If it were a real "red 12" I would expect the dial to be more weathered, even if it spent its life in a drawer, and I would expect the price to be higher. I am a little apprehensive that it may be a redial. Let the experts weigh in!!