Buying Sturmanskie watch

Could be. Has an authentic look about it. I would need to see a picture of the back and the movement before I would consider paying that much.

If you have time and interest here is an article on identifying these 3133s:

https://www.watchuseek.com/f54/guide-determining-age-originality-poljot-3133-chronograph-599503.html

Thank you very much for your quick reply! Im afraid seller can be a bit touchy about opening his watch and I just don't really look like a person who is ready to pay that much. Taking a photo of its back would be possible. And does this price can be called a big one?

The price is consistent with the prices that vintage Sturmanskies sell for on E-bay. But, as schnurrp said, you ought to get a caseback and movement shot to confirm the likelihood of its authenticity.

wolf3d said:

Thank you very much for your quick reply! Im afraid seller can be a bit touchy about opening his watch and I just don't really look like a person who is ready to pay that much. Taking a photo of its back would be possible. And does this price can be called a big one?

Click to expand...

An antique dealer should understand the need to see what movement is in the watch since the proper one would increase the value quite a bit. I wouldn't buy it for that price unless it is soviet-era with the proper movement. Does it have a hacking crown? Many without the crown on the left to move the internal bezel do and that would be a good sign and would actually increase the value, in my opinion.

Oh, a soviet-era sturmanskie of that design with 31659 movement (hacking) would be worth that much if all functions work properly but I would definitely offer less, of course, as that is getting toward the high end.

Thank you, Ill see what I can do. Sorry, but what is a hacking crown?

wolf3d said:

Thank you, Ill see what I can do. Sorry, but what is a hacking crown?

Click to expand...

When you pull out the crown, the second hand stops and resumes upon pushing the crown back in. It allows the watch to be synchronized more easily.

Another thing you could check, see if there is any brassing anywhere on the case, that is wearing away of chrome plating to expose the yellow brass body underneath. There should be no brassing as the soviet-era military model was made of stainless steel.

Ok, Ill do that, probably tomorow if I have time
Edit: I am not entirely sure, but I think I have noticed some brass showing up, if I am right, would that mean it should be less expensive?

wolf3d said:

Ok, Ill do that, probably tomorow if I have time
Edit: I am not entirely sure, but I think I have noticed some brass showing up, if I am right, would that mean it should be less expensive?

Click to expand...

Brassing of the case or pushers should make you hesitate in buying this watch. As schnurrp said, Soviet era military issue 3133 cases and pushers were made of stainless steel whereas the civilian market 3133 watch cases and pushers were made of chromed brass. The dial pictured appears to belong in a military issue watch. I would not purchase that watch if there are signs of brassing as it would likely be franken (built from more than one watch).

watch22 said:

I have a Poljot 31659 in that case. Russian made.

Click to expand...

Stainless steel?

watch22 said:

I have a Poljot 31659 in that case. Russian made.

Click to expand...

Your watch looks really nice!

Ham2 said:

Brassing of the case or pushers should make you hesitate in buying this watch. As schnurrp said, Soviet era military issue 3133 cases and pushers were made of stainless steel whereas the civilian market 3133 watch cases and pushers were made of chromed brass. The dial pictured appears to belong in a military issue watch. I would not purchase that watch if there are signs of brassing as it would likely be franken (built from more than one watch).

Click to expand...

Thank you, Ill have that in mind. I did notice this kind of dials circulating in ebay, so I wouldnt be surprised if he just changed it from a civilian one to this

wolf3d said:

Edit: I am not entirely sure, but I think I have noticed some brass showing up, if I am right, would that mean it should be less expensive?

Click to expand...

Yes, definitely. The stainless steel military models issued to pilots and not available to the general public are much more desirable and valuable.

All right, Ill have it in mind and keep you guys updated, thanks

wolf3d said:

Luckily, I was able to get all the possible information and photos from the seller
Also, he assured me that it is solid stainless steel, not brass

View attachment 812405

View attachment 812408

View attachment 812412

View attachment 812415

Click to expand...

That looks like the real deal, wolf3d. Stainless steel, 31659 hacking movement with the brass-colored balance wheel which the soviet-era ones had, and that is the correct back. Time to start negotiating! Nice watch.

Oh, check the functions. It should start up with a minimum turns. Make sure the big second hand starts, stops, and returns exactly to 12. Allow the watch to run with the large second hand moving for at least 5 or 6 minutes to make sure that summing dial on the right is counting properly. A problem with any of the above would not be a deal-breaker but it does decrease the value of the watch and you don't want to overpay. A complete service of this watch can be quite expensive but it shouldn't need it since its only 23-25yrs. old!

schnurrp said:

That looks like the real deal, wolf3d. Stainless steel, 31659 hacking movement with the brass-colored balance wheel which the soviet-era ones had, and that is the correct back. Time to start negotiating! Nice watch.

Click to expand...

You wouldn't believe how glad I am to hear it!! Thank you very much, there's almost 100% chance that tomorow at this time I'll already have it

schnurrp said:

Oh, check the functions. It should start up with a minimum turns. Make sure the big second hand starts, stops, and returns exactly to 12. Allow the watch to run with the large second hand moving for at least 5 or 6 minutes to make sure that summing dial on the right is counting properly. A problem with any of the above would not be a deal-breaker but it does decrease the value of the watch and you don't want to overpay. A complete service of this watch can be quite expensive but it shouldn't need it since its only 23-25yrs. old!

Click to expand...

All right, Ill keep that in mind, thanks

wolf3d said:

Sorry for this side question, but what kind of sturmanskie could be in this picture? It is also being sold for the similar price

It is somewhat similar to Gagarin version, but seems to have even more functions than that one

Click to expand...

No problem as my answer will be short. I collect only soviet-era watches and I know enough to keep myself out of too much trouble when it comes to the 3133s of that time. The newer ones don't interest me and I know next to nothing about them. The link I sent you to an article by polmax3133 at the beginning will not help with that watch but if you pm him a picture I think you will find him very accommodating and he knows a great deal.

I'm jealous! Enjoy your sturmanski!

Thanks, Ill ask him. Im just curious about that one