The One Watch...

[D1JBS]

Which is the one watch that any serious fan of Russian horology should have in their collection?

[pwalsh21]

There are so many that immediately come to mind. First thing I thought of was a Strela 3017, but there are at least 10 others worth collecting, especially if money's no object. It's like asking, "What's the best episode of ........?" They're all awesome! :)

[phd]

Raketa 3031 please, Santa.

[pacifichrono]

I agree - - there are many iconic Russian watches. The one I personally like most, and recently bought, is the 3017 Strela.

(Seller photos)

[D1JBS]

"What's the best episode of ........?"

Easy! Episode 5, Season 3 "Amazon Women In The Mood"

Best all-time Zapp Brannigan quote (whilst crashing the space restaurant) 'You win again, gravity!'

[sci]

I think it is the classic Vostok Amphibia.

[cuthbert]

I agree - - there are many iconic Russian watches. The one I personally like most, and recently bought, is the 3017 Strela.

(Seller photos)

So you were the one who won that auction? I was bidding it too...

[Niccolo]

There are many must haves, but the one that everybody does have is the Vostok Amphibia. I bet most people's first Russian watch was the Amphibia too. On WUS's Affordables sub-forum the Amphibia is well known, while the other Russian watches are rarely mentioned.

[pacifichrono]

So you were the one who won that auction? I was bidding it too...

My thanks go to eSnipe!

[Mister Mike]

Before the internet, the only Soviet watch I was aware of was the classic 1980s Komandirskie series -- particularly the "Black Tank" as shown below (with credit to ill phil for the photo):

This is an entry level watch that can still be found for a reasonable price. It's a Soviet original through and through, and an educated observer can see what it is from a mile away. Sure, I still lust after the Strela, Okean, and all the usual Soviet and Russian grails -- but if it wasn't for the 1980s Komandirskie, I would never have known about Soviet/Russian horology.