[LargeCrab]

Here's the state of my Russian collection. Sold three last week, still feel like I have too many. Yes, this may be a cheap and crappy collection to some, but I love Russian watches and as a college student I've put a lot of money into my collection over the last couple years, so it means a lot to me.
Bottom row left to right:
-Pierce Chrono, heirloom, never selling.
-Poljot Signal Alarm: One crown fell out, need to get repaired and then sold this year.
-Zim Moscow Olympics Bear watch: Cute watch that I'm on the fence about. Inexpensive and cute but feel like I don't really need it.
-Kirovskie Crab: Favorite watch ever. Not going anywhere.
-Poljot Signal Alarm: Really like this one. Probably staying
-Zvezda Tank: Also really love it and can't see me getting bored of it anytime soon.
Winder left to right:
-Slava Tank: Not getting as much wear as it used to. Also fogged up on me the other day so I'm less keen to wear it.
-Vostok Amphibia: My beater that I wear to work. Only watch I can swim with. But at the end of the day I don't want to keep a watch I don't love all that much just to tick a box. I can just buy a Casio for being a beater.

Watch purchase goals: I want one reliable, almost every day watch that I don't have to think about and will always like. I'm leaning towards an older Tag Heuer professional 2000. I feel like quartz is the way to go for an everyday that you don't want to worry about. The one thing I also don't like about a mostly vintage collection is being hyper-aware of bumping your hand into things or being really careful when washing your hands.

 

[LargeCrab]

I've just received my first Russian watch, a Vostok Amphibian "Sniper" - is there any way to determine year of manufacture from the serial number?

507503

I'd like to learn more about Vostok watches, can you suggest some resources?

Thanks!

The Russian Watches forum on here is the best place to start. Manufacture dates are pretty much impossible to narrow down exactly.

 

[LargeCrab]

Here's a collection update. Six sold since the last picture, one bought. I think in the last six months I've sold around twelve total. Used the money from those six to pick up a Christmas gift for myself, a Tag Heuer professional 2000. I bought it because I wanted a daily that wasn't as vintage, and something that I didn't have to worry about getting wet. I did jump the gun on that purchase which I am slightly regretting, as I put in an offer on eBay which was accepted before I really had time to think about the purchase, especially for the amount of money it was for me. Really enjoying it as a solid daily however with the other vintage pieces getting rotated in once or twice a week.
Kept my favorite three vintage pieces (plus my grandfather's Pierce which is staying forever). Also this ugly blue swatch which was not previously pictured but was my first watch when I was around 10 or 11. The tank needs a service as the keyless works seems to be broken. The one thing that's tempting me now is a Pagani Design Explorer 2 "homage" (copy). In the spirit of WPAC and my sanity I'm giving it two weeks from today until I buy it, if I'm still interested in it. I had/have an issue with impulse buying which I'm trying to quell.
Picture taken a bit before Christmas vs. now:

 

[LargeCrab]

Congrats on the Tag! Though you did make the rest of the year a lot harder by checking off your goal this early on...

As for the pagani, your goals didn't say anything about more watches than just that Tag Heuer... why do you now suddenly also need a pagani?? Surely your current 6 watch collection covers any imaginable scenario.

Also, wait a month at least. 2 weeks really isn't a lot when it comes to curbing the impulses.

Agreed. My justifications about the Pagani don't really make sense (I want to use it as a swimming watch???), especially since I don't like the size (42) and chunk of it. But damn does it look good. Tempting. But not irresistible

 

[LargeCrab]

Isn't the tag heuer perfect for swimming also?

It's from the early 90s so I'm not putting it in water until I get it pressure tested. But if it turns out to still be good, then yes. I imagine the cost of getting it tested and getting gaskets replaced would be similar to the cost of the pagani, so there's a bit of a mental block there.