New Member SonnyBBQ

[arktika1148]

Many congrats mate

watchband centre & sectime are two I use as both have a good selection of straps

[SonnyBBQ]

Thanks, I will check them out...

[SonnyBBQ]

Today's Arrival

Coming from Hong Kong this one was nicely detoured via customs, who presented me with an additional bill. In the end I might have spent more on this than I would have liked too.
But that will probably be forgotten in a couple of weeks time...

I wanted to add a CCCP Albatros to the collection and found this NOS version online.



It came with the papers and as per the stamp was made in 1989...



Since I ended up paying more than I wanted to, and it is in such great shape, I am doubting if I would wear it or rather just keep it on display...

[DolleDolf]

Nice Albatros. Some good pickups over the last couple of weeks, congrats!

[mysterian]

Can't go wrong with a NOS Vostok from Fred!
Very nice indeed!

[SonnyBBQ]

Nice Albatros. Some good pickups over the last couple of weeks, congrats!

Bedankt. From the sellers pictures the colours looked a bit soft, but depending on the light they actually are pretty bright. Like in my pic. I could not resist the urge, so got a couple more on the way...

Can't go wrong with a NOS Vostok from Fred!
Very nice indeed!

Indeed, good service and nice watch. unfortunately this one got stuck at customs for a week and got an extra invoice. Not that Fred can do anything about this of course...

[SonnyBBQ]

Today's Arrival:

A Vintage USSR Raketa Aviatika, which is ticking away nicely on a 2609b 21 jewel movement.


It is not mint and has some marks on it, which appear brighter on the photo.
I want to try and see if I cannot clean the dial a little bit. I don't want it to look as new, but it appears some marks could come right off.
I am not really feeling up to doing this myself though, so will probably practice on another watch first.

In real life it is not as noticeable and looks more like in this picture...


I love the plane at 12 as it reminds me of the jet age...


The seller said it dates from 1920-1970 period, so I am still trying to find a more accurate date for it.
As per what I can find online, the 2609b appeared around 1960. So this is probably a '60's watch.

[schnurrp]

A nice and desirable classic, SonnyBBQ! I agree with your dating. It's been my experience that "marks" which appear to be "on" the dial are actually discolorations in the varnish which cannot be removed, so be very careful or your dial will disappear along with the "marks"!

[SonnyBBQ]

Thanks schnurrp. I really should get some experience before I attempt to do this myself. It is too nice of a watch to mess up. I like how the plane breaks up the dial's pattern, like it is leaving a vapor trail...

Something I noticed from the picture as well is that the strap doesn't fit. I switched it since I didn't like the bulkier/crappier strap which came with it. But the strap is 18mm and the lugs are apparently 19mm.
Well I did plan on getting something nicer anyway.

[schnurrp]

Measure that strap, SonnyBBQ. That strap looks pretty skinny. May be a 16mm that was mis-labeled. 19mm lug would be very unusual, if you know what I mean!