zvezda "type 18" (russian LIP)

[Reno]

I've always wanted an original LIP "Type 18"



Unfortunately, prices start around 150 €, which is a bit expensive for my taste ; the watch is really tiny.

WUS member Abbazz told me about the "ZVEZDA", a russian brand to whom LIP sold the design of the T.18 back in the days…

A quick search on the bay, and my russian T.18 was ordered for $38 (including shipping) !


Here is the offer's text :


Vintage Soviet ZVEZDA / STAR Watch 15J *USSR* 3Q-1955

Offered here is a RARE SOVIET mechanical wrist watch ZVEZDA (STAR).
According to the marking on movement the manufacture date is the third quarter of 1955.
The dial is signed: ZVEZDA, GChZ PENZA.
Watch has two central hands and lower second one.
Movement has been recently serviced, runs and keeps good time!
Diameter with/without winding crown is 28/26 mm, dial 20 mm, from lug to lug 38 mm, thickness 10 mm.

Features:
Mechanical movement;
Manual winding;
15 Jewels;
Blued hands;
Sub-dial second hand;
Caliber: copy of french LIP T18;
Dust-proof case.


The watch was sold without strap… and it has fixed pins. No indication of lug width either.


Abbazz told me the model he personally owns has 18mm lugs, but I decided to wait for the watch to arrive, before ordering a new strap…

Which was an excellent decision because on mine, the lugs were only 16mm !! o_O … with an added bonus : the lugs even shrink to 14mm near the case


Let's say I was a bit disappointed when I receive the watch.


Then began the search for an appropriate strap.

a 14~16mm strap is really, really small, a to make a long story short, I didn't find anything satisfying

I finally decided for an Hermes-type band, hoping it would add some width on the wrist… I'm afraid it'll look a bit feminine nonetheless We'll see.

Until it's here, my GF had a one-piece 16mm leather band on an old watch she didn't use anymore… and it doesn't look too bad on the wrist, surprisingly o_O



Here it is :



























In the end, a very, very small watch, especially toward today's standards, but I like it

Thanks to Russians, I'm able to wear a watch I've always liked, but never thought I'd own

[phd]

Nice watch - where was it made? (I think Zvezda was made at more than one factory).

It looks more solid than the Zvezdae I've seen - usually the lugs are just chromed wire loops.

[pmwas]

Nice one!!! It is from Pensa (later Zaria) - GChZ Penza on the bottom of the dial, unless someone replaced the mvt.

[Reno]

Nice watch - where was it made? (I think Zvezda was made at more than one factory).

It looks more solid than the Zvezdae I've seen - usually the lugs are just chromed wire loops.

Thanks

No idea, could be. Here is a closer look on the dial, if it can help :

Nice one!!! It is from Pensa (later Zaria) - GChZ Penza on the bottom of the dial, unless someone replaced the mvt.

Thanks pmwas

Here is a seller's pic of the movement :

[pmwas]

A very nice 1955 Pensa (PChZ) movement. Fine watch, it's a shame I've still got only one of these :)

[Reno]

A very nice 1955 Pensa (PChZ) movement. Fine watch, it's a shame I've still got only one of these :)

O_o wow… Did you have several models, pmwas ?

[arktika1148]

Lovely watch

I've always liked the older art deco Lip look, and was tempted to order a quartz out of an Orvis catalogue,Churchill watch they said.
Although last year I was watching a UK shopping channel and bought a P.I. Maxim copper check face auto, £250 ,at the time most expensive I've bought, same classic looks....but....ETA . Says Russia at bottom of dial , and is lovely to look at, great finish, keeps good time....does'nt feel Russian though.

Enjoy your classic!!!

[pmwas]

No, because I've always had something else to buy for the money. I meant the movement. I've only got one Pensa made 1956 Zvezda:

[Seele]

It should be a well-known page, just in case some fellow members are not aware of it:

LIP au pays des Soviets

[Reno]

Lovely watch

I've always liked the older art deco Lip look, and was tempted to order a quartz out of an Orvis catalogue,Churchill watch they said.
Although last year I was watching a UK shopping channel and bought a P.I. Maxim copper check face auto, £250 ,at the time most expensive I've bought, same classic looks....but....ETA . Says Russia at bottom of dial , and is lovely to look at, great finish, keeps good time....does'nt feel Russian though.

Enjoy your classic!!!

Here is the new line (swiss Ronda movements)

Montres Lip | Montres | Fred Lip | T18

but as you said, unfortunately, quartz only

Thanks ! I will !