[Sodiac]

Dear Komrades:
I saw this "Zarya" watch on Zenitar's site and took a chance on it - what the heck for $42.00. It's actually a decent little bugger, at 40 mm wide and very nice raised 'gold' numbers and the hands seem fairly well made also.

I haven't popped the back off yet but it looks like it would be easy enough to do if anyone wants to see a photo of the movement. The watch is pretty thin at 8.6 mm. I took some quick photos today below.

The Zenitar description said "New condition 5 years old stock Russian mechanical watch Zarya. Has 21 mechanical ruby jewels movement with anti- shock balance unit, wateresist,case made from brass, gold plated. Come with leather black band, papers and carton box . Case size 40 x 8 mm."

I bought it March 10, it arrived March 24, 2009. There's some paperwork with it (see the photos) that I have no idea what it says, including some type of maybe a manufacturing date slip with numbers stamped on it?

I searched WUS but came up empty on Zarya, is this one of those "revived" old-line company names that maybe is now being made with a Chinese movement?

I like it though, it has that inexpensive Russian watch charm and looks like something Dad would wear in the 1950's! What do you think?

 

[mike.s]

Penza Watch Factory, made 44th week of 2004 (4.5 years ago).

The factory is Maktime affilitae, according to their web site. They make three calibers, 1509, 2009 and 2014. Not much other info.

 

[Chascomm]

Zarja calibre 2009V, designed and made entirely in Russia.

I don't know how long they will still be making these older models now that Maktime is using the Penza factory for manufacturing of chronograph components. Hopefully Maktime will find a new product niche for the sort of things that Zarja make. The calibre 1509 being a very small movement with centre seconds is especially worth preserving, and the 2009 being quite thin, as you've noticed, would be a definite asset if very thin watches came back in fashion.

This is the tragedy of factory closures and reorganization in Russia; the potential loss of designs for which there is no equivalent in the wider world. Take the Chaika 1301 for example. A big loss to the watchmaking world. Name another mechanical drop-in replacement for the generic Miyota/Seiko-Epson/Morioka Tokei quartz movements?

Sorry, heading off-topic there :-x Anyway, my point is that watches like this Zarja are to be treasured when they look like being the last of their kind.

 

[watch22]

I like the Russian writing on the dial - that's always a conversation starter.

 

[TZAG]

Beautiful |>
A small detail. Hands don't have lume...:roll:

 

[Sodiac]

Thanks everyone for the interesting information!