Gold Tone Komandrski's -Do Experienced Collectors Value Them?

[Donwatch]

An inexperienced Russian watch collector [but working on that] wonders if Soviet military walked around wearing the gold tone Komandirski's offered on Zanitar and SMIRS. They look great, but if one only takes, say, a half dozen Komandanirski's should one include a gold one? Cheers.

[Mister Mike]

Yes, Soviet military wore gold tone (and gold plated) Komandirskies in the 70s and 80s, but not the models currently offered new by ADs like Zenitar, etc. Actually, it's possible that servicemen wear the new Komandirskies, but none have been specifically ordered by the Ministry of Defense (and marked as such) since 1991, though a new "Armeyskie" series of military-issue watches by Vostok and Maktime are supposed to come out soon (and some are based on the current Komandirskie).

[Seele]

Donwatch,

Do experienced collectors value the late models and current models Komandirskies in gold tone finish? It really depends on the individual: what one considers as of value to his collection might not be of value to another person.

For me I only have a few of them: very "definitive" models and comparatively unusual ones. This is my own personal criterion, so I do not feel a "need" to go out of my way to find a gold-tone one, or any particular one, as a matter of fact. Perhaps my Komandirskie classification list would be of some value to you, but the main thing is to get what you like... and likely to wear and enjoy.

[Donwatch]

To Seele----I would be interested in your list to see what a truly knowlegeble collector accumulates. I will take a gold K- next, though it seems to me that the spirit of rugged, practical Russian watches, in a sort of kinship with WWII production like the T-34 tank, is best worn with a chromed-over brass or SS case.

[Seele]

Donwatch,

Compared to most regulars in this forum I am nowhere near what one would call an expert! I just have a few classic Komandirskies and here is a list:

"Treptower Park", 1985 limited release, 40th anniversary of the end of WWII, Type 341 case, with black bezel.
"Red Star", metallic blue dial, Type 341 case, non-MOD, with black bezel.
"Rising Star", Type 331 case, gold tone bezel.
"Space Force", Type 431 case, Type 958 dial.

That's it really!

[Lucidor]

I'm a collector, although not what you would call experienced. I have at least three gold tone Komandirskies and I love them. However, my focus is vintage (CCCP) and that may not be typical.

[Donwatch]

Those three vintage gold watches are remarkable. It looks like the gold tone can hang around for a very long time if the owner is careful. I should have great luck--I'm still wearing clothes and boots I bought in the 1970's.

[arktika1148]

I'm asking for trouble here , but wait.

There are blogs about up-coming Vostok-Poljot military "bronzed" cases, probably PVD. which is bonded not plated , if it is done right will last. Put it this way ,high speed machine cutting tools nowadays are coated ,and plough though even the toughest steels with very little wear.

[snowfox]

I'm still wearing clothes and boots I bought in the 1970's.

Pics or else it ain't true lol.

I want to see what a vintage 70's relic looks like!

[cuthbert]

I'm asking for trouble here , but wait.

There are blogs about up-coming Vostok-Poljot military "bronzed" cases, probably PVD. which is bonded not plated , if it is done right will last. Put it this way ,high speed machine cutting tools nowadays are coated ,and plough though even the toughest steels with very little wear.

Actually it should be TiN, and that's the reason why it lasts for so long...I think the Soviets were more advanced than the westerners in the metallugy of Titanium, AFAIK the first coated forks for motorbikes came out in the late 80s...