My genuine Zlatoust diver watch 191 ChS

[captainmur]

At last ! I have bought just now the genuine russian diver's Zlatoust 191 Chs, produced in March 1977. The watch is in excelent condition, practically near mint. The case and the dial are perfect, the screws which fasten the dial are untouched, the screwdriver slots are still "virgin". It's from one side very good - the watches are unopened by barbarian "watchmakers", from other side the watch needs a some service and oiling.
I'm not sure if I keep this monster for myself or it will be exchanged to other diver's watches (more "user friendly")

[Oilers Fan]

That is a monster!! Fantastic piece of history. Enjoy it.

[mysterian]

I may be wrong but this watch, box and paper look similar to another member's somewhat recent purchase that was deemed to be a knock off and not an "original" Zlat.

One of the giveaways among others, was the "no radiation" present stamp on the paperwork.

Hope I'm wrong!
It looks very impressive regardless.

[Seele]

The Zlatoust logo on the box has the correct spelling "Zlatoustovski" rather than "Zlatousovski" as used by some fakers, so they could say it's not a fake Zlatoust but a "Zlatous"! But as usual they're treated as suspicious until proven genuine.

[Lucidor]

Can you confirm that the case is steel and not plated? It looks very shiny.

[captainmur]

Yes the red stamp "No Radiation" is the similar as chinese fake of Zlat. But :
- the watch is genuine, I can`t believe that the fake Zlat watches can be with the solid stainless steel case (this case is so called "pot" in the russian speaking forums)
You can see the pictures.
- the box is with the original logo of ZchZ

The Zlatoust logo on the box has the correct spelling "Zlatoustovski" rather than "Zlatousovski" as used by some fakers, so they could say it's not a fake Zlatoust but a "Zlatous"! But as usual they're treated as suspicious until proven genuine.

I live in Germany now, but I`m former officer of soviet/russian Navy. Of course I know very good some moments of the late history of USSR.
My version (IMHO) about this red stamp :
the watch was stored at the military warehouse of GSVG (group of soviet troops in Germany) till the end of 80 - beginning of 90. Then, after Perestroyka it was permitted
for local military administration to sell the military property to civil persons and companies. In this times the watch docs was stamped with the "No radiation" stamp, it was necessary to sell watch to foreign persons. Thus all is genuine, the red stamp only of later origin.

I may be wrong but this watch, box and paper look similar to another member's somewhat recent purchase that was deemed to be a knock off and not an "original" Zlat.

One of the giveaways among others, was the "no radiation" present stamp on the paperwork.

Hope I'm wrong!
It looks very impressive regardless.

[Seele]

captainmur,

Thanks for that snippet of information on the origin of that "No Radiation" stamp

[mysterian]

That certainly is new info that's quite interesting!
Thank you for that update.

[mike.s]

I'm not familiar with Zlatoust per se, but looking at "Атестат" (the doc that comes with the watch) I think it's as real Soviet as it gets. The blue seals and the way numbers, especially 7s are written is vintage Soviet style. The box also looks of vintage soviet cardboard and thin paper-based veneer (коленкор).

So I would agree with good captain here on the authenticity issue.

[michele]

It'sn the first blue box that i see with correct spelling.

I still think that there was some intermediate step, between late original ones, and early abusive reissues.