May 2018 - SOVIETALY™

Simple Guide to Soviet and Russian Watch Movements

Sovietaly™ Orologi Russi 31 May 201821 June 20242409, 2414a, 2416b, Amphibia, calibro, cccp, guida, orologio, raketa, vostok, zim 0 Comment

How to Recognize Soviet and Russian Movements?

One of the key features of Soviet watches is that they contain only Soviet movements. These watches do not feature any external parts; all components were produced within the USSR. The quality of these movements varied depending on the factory, with some periods of excellence and others less so.

Here are some fundamental and curious pieces of information about these movements.

The Codes on Soviet Watch Passports

The codes used to identify Soviet movements were developed and standardized in the 1960s. These codes can be found on the passports that accompanied every watch produced during the Soviet era:

What Do the Codes Mean?

Deciphering the code is not particularly complicated. The movement code consists of 4 digits and one or two letters. After the fall of the Soviet Union, more codes were added, and the two digits often became three.

The first two digits represent the movement’s diameter in millimeters.
The next two/three digits represent the specific characteristics of the movement.
The following letters represent the variations that occurred over time.

Movements with the same characteristics produced by different companies have the same code, but this does not mean they are identical. Usually, the movement is identified by the manufacturing company followed by the movement code.

A classic example found on many websites includes:

Slava 2416
Vostok 2416
Poljot 2416

All three movements have a diameter of 24mm, and the 16 identifies them as:

Automatic
Central seconds
Date
Shockproof

For detailed characteristics of the movements, you can find an exhaustive list here.

Online Resources

There is another valuable online resource often used to identify movements and gain related information: Ranfft Watches.

Other useful resources include:

17 Jewels Info

A good understanding of Russian/Soviet movements can often help quickly identify when a watch has been assembled or is not contemporaneous.

Examples of Movements

Some common Vostok movements include:

Vostok 2409
Vostok 2414A
Vostok 2416b

For more detailed characteristics of these movements, you can refer to the Ranfft database.

Conclusion

The subject is vast and complex with many nuances. This guide aims to provide a brief introduction to help you start understanding the complexity of the Russian/Soviet watchmaking world.

All images of the movements can be found at: Ranfft Watches.

Missile Troops and Artillery: The Meaning Behind the Vostok Komandirskie Dial

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russian watch Vostok Komandirskie Missile Troops

Missile Troops and Artillery: here is the true meaning of this dial revealed. It’s a widely distributed Vostok Komandirskie, and often people wonder about the hidden meanings behind such a cryptic dial. Careful research is required to uncover the exact significance of the various symbols on the dial.

Discovering the Watch

I found this watch for a few euros in a lot, and it immediately intrigued me. I had seen it many times, but never so peculiar or beautiful to justify a single purchase. After a bit of investigation, curiosity took over, and I sought to find out what it was exactly about.

The Watch

The watch, upon closer inspection, is quite standard. It’s a Russian Vostok Komandirskie with a 2414 movement and a 439xxx case. Both the glass and the case are unfortunately quite damaged, but the watch is still functional, indicating that the reliable Vostok 2414 works well even under harsh conditions.

Vostok Komandirskie Missile Troops: Where Are the Missile Troops and Artillery?

Everything is grouped in the emblem found at the six o’clock position on the dial. What is it about?

The image consists of three elements:

A laurel wreath
Two cannons
A missile

Uncovering the Meaning

After some research and the help of a Dutch collector friend, I found a military patch online that clarified the meaning. The writing: ракетные войска и артиллерия on the patch means “Missile Troops and Artillery.” This is therefore a commemorative Vostok of these armed forces, which are part of the Vooružënnye Sily Rossijskoj Federacii, or the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

A curiosity: on November 19, Russia celebrates the “Day of the Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Federation.” Here is a video about it:

Missile Troops and Artillery: Who Are They?

For those interested, here is the link to the Russian Wikipedia page: LINK.

Interesting information I found includes the existence of:

Missile Troops and Artillery of the ground forces of the Russian armed forces
Missile Troops and Artillery of the coastal forces of the Russian armed forces

Tasks of the Missile Troops and Artillery

The missile troops and artillery are tasked with:

Achieving and maintaining fire superiority over the enemy
Destroying enemy nuclear attack means, personnel, weapons, military, and special equipment
Disorganizing enemy troop and weapon command and control systems, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare
Destroying long-term defensive structures and other infrastructure
Disrupting enemy operational and military rear
Weakening and isolating the enemy’s second echelons and reserves
Destroying tanks and other armored vehicles penetrating the enemy’s depth
Covering flanks and open joints
Participating in the destruction of enemy airborne and amphibious assault forces
Remote mining of areas and objects
Supporting night operations of troops
Smoking and blinding enemy objects
Distributing propaganda materials and others

Conclusion

It is easy to see how even a simple Vostok Komandirskie can intrigue and lead to unexpected in-depth research. Sometimes the only challenge is navigating the numerous military units present in Russia. The watch was probably commissioned for some celebration or simply made like many others to celebrate the armed forces.

The Double-Headed Eagle: Symbolism and History

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The double-headed eagle is a symbol of great historical significance, with origins dating back to the Roman period. The first use of the double-headed eagle is attributed to Constantine I in the 1st century AD. The two heads of the eagle, facing in opposite directions, represent the union of two empires: the Eastern and the Western. This powerful symbol has traversed centuries and cultures, maintaining a meaning of power, sovereignty, and unity.

The Symbolism of the Double-Headed Eagle in History and Flags

National Flags

Albania: The Albanian flag features a black double-headed eagle on a red background. This symbol represents the courage, freedom, and heroism of the Albanian people. The double-headed eagle is associated with Skanderbeg, a national hero who fought against the Ottoman Empire.
Serbia: The Serbian flag incorporates a white double-headed eagle, a symbol representing the country’s sovereignty and unity. The eagle is topped with a crown and holds a sceptre and orb, symbols of power and authority.
Montenegro: The Montenegrin flag shows a gold double-headed eagle with a red shield in the centre. The two heads symbolise the union of church and state, while the shield represents the ruling Petrović-Njegoš dynasty.

City Crests

Belgrade, Serbia: The crest of Belgrade features a double-headed eagle symbolising the city’s protection and defence.
Essen, Germany: The symbol of the double-headed eagle appears in Essen’s crest, representing the city’s historical importance and influence.
Velletri, Italy: Velletri also uses the double-headed eagle in its crest, symbolising its ancient origin and historical continuity.
Rijeka, Croatia: An interesting exception is the city of Rijeka, whose crest features a double-headed eagle with both heads facing to the right, rather than in opposite directions like most other examples.

The Double-Headed Eagle in the Russian Emblem

The double-headed eagle of Russia has a complex and fascinating history. Currently, the official Russian emblem features a gold double-headed eagle on a red background, with the emblem of Moscow (depicting Saint George) superimposed. Over time, the eagle’s colour has changed from gold to black and back again, and the crowns have appeared, disappeared, and reappeared. Today, the two heads of the eagle are surmounted by a single crown with a further crown above it, symbolising unity.

The Objects in the Eagle’s Claws

The Russian double-headed eagle holds two symbols of power in its claws:

Sceptre: In the left claw, the eagle holds a sceptre, representing authority and sovereign power. The sceptre is an ancient regal symbol used by monarchs to indicate their supreme authority.
Orb: In the right claw, the eagle holds an orb, symbolising the universal dominion of Christianity and the divine authority of the sovereign. The orb is topped with a cross, representing God’s sovereignty over the Earth.

Analysis of the Shields on the Double-Headed Eagle

The images of Russian Zim watches show various designs featuring the double-headed eagle and several symbolic elements. One of the watches displays an eagle with 8 shields on its wings, representing territories of the Russian Empire. Here is a detailed analysis of each shield on the eagle’s wings:

Right Wing (from top to bottom):

Kazan: Represents the Khanate of Kazan, an important Tatar kingdom annexed by Russia in the 16th century. Kazan’s symbol is the dragon Zilant, representing strength and protection.
Poland: Symbolises the Kingdom of Poland, which became part of the Russian Empire after the partitions of Poland in the 18th century. The Polish emblem is the white eagle, a symbol of freedom and sovereignty.
Chersonesus Taurica: Represents the historical region of Crimea, annexed to the Russian Empire in the 18th century. The Crimean shield includes the griffin, a symbol of vigilance and power.
Kiev, Vladimir, and Novgorod: These three shields are combined into one, representing the ancient Russian cities central to the formation of medieval Russia. Kiev is represented by Saint Michael the Archangel, Vladimir by the rampant lion, and Novgorod by Rurik’s trident.

Left Wing (from top to bottom):

Astrakhan: Represents the Khanate of Astrakhan, annexed to Russia in the 16th century. Astrakhan’s symbol is a crown with a sword, representing protection and royalty.
Siberia: Symbolises the vast region of Siberia, explored and colonised by Russia starting in the 16th century. The Siberian shield includes two sables, representing the wealth of natural resources.
Georgia: Represents the Kingdom of Georgia, which became part of the Russian Empire in the 19th century. The Georgian symbol is Saint George slaying the dragon, a symbol of protection and courage.
Finland: Symbolises the Grand Duchy of Finland, an autonomous territory within the Russian Empire from 1809 to 1917. The Finnish emblem shows a lion with a sword, representing strength and sovereignty.

In the centre of the eagle should be the shield of Moscow, surrounded by the Collar of the Order of Saint Andrew. However, this element is likely absent from the watch dial due to the presence of the hands’ pivots.

russian watch Zim two headed eagle — Zim two headed eagle

Conclusion

Russian watches, like the Zim models from the 1990s, are a classic example of symbolism and propaganda. They provide an opportunity to explore a range of fascinating historical and symbolic topics. The symbolism of the double-headed eagle, present on many flags and crests, represents a deep connection with the history and culture of many nations. Russian and Soviet horology continues to offer interesting insights, and these watches are a perfect example.