I have the white dial with 31682 movement, whatever it means.
It is vey accurate and smooth to operate.
Buran 24h Regulator
Hi guys & gals,
I received this little thing in the mail today.
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Strap]()
![Analog watch Watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery]()
I believe this to be an example from the original batch, made some time in the first half of the 00's. I've seen, what is believed to be, later assembled pieces with white hands, and movements marked 31682 instead of 81. However, the other examples I've seen have had case backs marked in English. Were there multiple batches / versions made with different case backs?
I received this little thing in the mail today.
I believe this to be an example from the original batch, made some time in the first half of the 00's. I've seen, what is believed to be, later assembled pieces with white hands, and movements marked 31682 instead of 81. However, the other examples I've seen have had case backs marked in English. Were there multiple batches / versions made with different case backs?
1 - 20 of 20 Posts
A few of these "12" hour subdial regulators have surfaced recently in the US:
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery]()
I tried to contact the seller to confirm that the subdial was in fact a 12 hour rotation but never heard back from them. I suspect that it is, as some P.I. regulator style cal. 31xx watches have this feature, but again the assembled parts on this chronograph vary from one batch to the next. It's also probable that more than a few of these 12hr versions exist because of the new dial face.
The seller also has "WE SHIP IN THE U.S. ONLY! Sorry, NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING (not even to Canada)!" conflicting with international shipping and import charges, which would have been my next question if they had got back to me.
I tried to contact the seller to confirm that the subdial was in fact a 12 hour rotation but never heard back from them. I suspect that it is, as some P.I. regulator style cal. 31xx watches have this feature, but again the assembled parts on this chronograph vary from one batch to the next. It's also probable that more than a few of these 12hr versions exist because of the new dial face.
The seller also has "WE SHIP IN THE U.S. ONLY! Sorry, NO INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING (not even to Canada)!" conflicting with international shipping and import charges, which would have been my next question if they had got back to me.
I was just searching through my image database - which needs a big-time reorganization - and found another version on the 12hr Volmax Buran regulator:
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery]()
So it seems that these dials may have been around for quite sometime.
The above version is similar to the original 24hr version shown below:
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Strap]()
I also have images of another piece identical to that of Malakim's (case back etc.) but with edition number 58.
So it seems that these dials may have been around for quite sometime.
The above version is similar to the original 24hr version shown below:
I also have images of another piece identical to that of Malakim's (case back etc.) but with edition number 58.
Interesting. It seems there are quite a few variations of this watch.
Unfortunately mine no longer runs correctly. I dropped it yesterday, and now it will only run if the chrono is running, or not reset to zero. Once I reset it, the watch stops.
Unfortunately mine no longer runs correctly. I dropped it yesterday, and now it will only run if the chrono is running, or not reset to zero. Once I reset it, the watch stops.
I may be able to give you some instruction if you are able to post a close up of the movement with the chrono-function reset.
Interesting. It seems there are quite a few variations of this watch.
Unfortunately mine no longer runs correctly. I dropped it yesterday, and now it will only run if the chrono is running, or not reset to zero. Once I reset it, the watch stops.
Thanks, polmax. I'll wait for a response from Julian (who sold the watch), if his watchmaker can fix it at a reasonable price. I'm not that skilled at watchmaking, so it's better to have a pro do it...
If that fails, I'll come to you for help!
I finally picked up a Buran/G.I. Regulator for my collection and though that I would share my thoughts after a recent inspection of the entire chronograph. This seems like a good thread to post to.
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Strap]()
I should first mention, for those who do not already know, that this design was created by a Watchuseek forum member some years ago, and subsequently copied by Volmax.
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery]()
However, this case type was already in use by Poljot at the time, and I can't recall every seeing this piece in any of the Poljot/Volmax catalogues - therefore just another sideshow piece that had a small degree of popularity. It is questionable whether the design would have ever been produced if Volmax had not scooped it up, so depending on how you feel about, production of these could either be considered a good, or a bad thing. Personally, I'm glad that it was produced, because it is a very cool design.
There seems to have been a variety of this type of casing used to build the Buran regulators. Some are all steel, some have gilded sections, a few different crowns were used, and various different case back designs - whatever was available at the time of assembly, I suppose. The design is front loaded, meaning you have to remove both the case back and bezel to remove the watch assembly.
![Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery]()
(Note that the hour hand is not at 12, see below)
To remove the bezel and case back, one has to use a razor/hobby knife to separate them from the case by small increments around the parameter to avoid damaging either the dial, movement, or the gilded bezel (if so fitted). Then once a large enough gap is achieved, switch to a thicker knife and apply a lot of pressure to pop it open - which would be better accomplished with one of those case opening vices. Some of these cases are fitted with a screw down case back, which obviously makes this component easier to remove.
![Analog watch Watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Strap]()
Snap on case back.
You should also be aware that the lugs have fake bolts that do not secure the bar that holds the strap in place - it is just a regular spring bar.
Another thing I would recommend against is attempting to remove the hands, as they look very fragile, and will no doubt easily break off the riveted bushing/sleeve. And with no replacement parts available... the watch will be ruined. The chrono-seconds hand is so thin that when the stop-watch is reset the hands vibrates like a tuning fork! :-d
I actually did have to remove the subdial hand because it was not secured properly, and had to be ultra-careful not to squash the dainty sleeve too much in the pin vice.
The 12-hour wheel seems to rotate alright with no more play in it than the 24 hour wheel. I have also seen these 12-hour subdials on Poljot International and Aviator regulator-style watches, as well as Denissov chronographs. They are designated cal. 31863, but the movements are not marked as such, and still advertised, in many cases, as a cal. 31681, causing some confusion.
![Watch accessory Watch Analog watch Strap Fashion accessory]()
I doubt that 400 of this variation were made. These were probably assembled with available stock cases.
![Watch accessory Watch Analog watch Fashion accessory]()
The movement is an early-2000s Poljot.
![Watch Watch accessory Analog watch Fashion accessory Jewellery]()
Another one off the checklist! :-!
I should first mention, for those who do not already know, that this design was created by a Watchuseek forum member some years ago, and subsequently copied by Volmax.
However, this case type was already in use by Poljot at the time, and I can't recall every seeing this piece in any of the Poljot/Volmax catalogues - therefore just another sideshow piece that had a small degree of popularity. It is questionable whether the design would have ever been produced if Volmax had not scooped it up, so depending on how you feel about, production of these could either be considered a good, or a bad thing. Personally, I'm glad that it was produced, because it is a very cool design.
There seems to have been a variety of this type of casing used to build the Buran regulators. Some are all steel, some have gilded sections, a few different crowns were used, and various different case back designs - whatever was available at the time of assembly, I suppose. The design is front loaded, meaning you have to remove both the case back and bezel to remove the watch assembly.
(Note that the hour hand is not at 12, see below)
To remove the bezel and case back, one has to use a razor/hobby knife to separate them from the case by small increments around the parameter to avoid damaging either the dial, movement, or the gilded bezel (if so fitted). Then once a large enough gap is achieved, switch to a thicker knife and apply a lot of pressure to pop it open - which would be better accomplished with one of those case opening vices. Some of these cases are fitted with a screw down case back, which obviously makes this component easier to remove.
Snap on case back.
You should also be aware that the lugs have fake bolts that do not secure the bar that holds the strap in place - it is just a regular spring bar.
Another thing I would recommend against is attempting to remove the hands, as they look very fragile, and will no doubt easily break off the riveted bushing/sleeve. And with no replacement parts available... the watch will be ruined. The chrono-seconds hand is so thin that when the stop-watch is reset the hands vibrates like a tuning fork! :-d
I actually did have to remove the subdial hand because it was not secured properly, and had to be ultra-careful not to squash the dainty sleeve too much in the pin vice.
The 12-hour wheel seems to rotate alright with no more play in it than the 24 hour wheel. I have also seen these 12-hour subdials on Poljot International and Aviator regulator-style watches, as well as Denissov chronographs. They are designated cal. 31863, but the movements are not marked as such, and still advertised, in many cases, as a cal. 31681, causing some confusion.
I doubt that 400 of this variation were made. These were probably assembled with available stock cases.
The movement is an early-2000s Poljot.
Another one off the checklist! :-!
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