Having recently purchased a Vostok-style Komandirskie Chronograph after researching the different models , I thought I'd share my thoughts regarding the origins of the watches and perhaps get some more input from others in the know. I have read through most of the old threads and have visited Michele's and Mark Gordon's websites to examine the pieces in their collections, as well as whatever other information I could find on the i-net as well as in my catalogues.
I've divided the different productions into to four catagories:
1) The initial Navy and Airforce models with the old-style Poljot hands and lume:
The seemingly blue second hand suggests an early `90s chronograph rather than late '80s as suggested by a few sources(e.g. JL's 96 catalogue). However, it's not clear as to the number of years these chronographs were in production, so until we see a number of movement pics, the beginning and end to this initial production run will remain a mystery. As for who actually produced these, it is my opinion that all of the components are from Poljot. Whether or not it was assembled in Italy is another question.
2) My theory on the second version of Komandirskie Chronographs is that all components, apart from the movement itself, were produced and assembled in Italy ca. 1995; by whom, I don't know.
Note that a) the font on the Tank model dial is unique to the presumed Italian production, b) the hands are unique to these pieces and not found on any other Poljot chronograph, c) the bezel font is more rounded, and d) the luminous on the Navy and Air Force models is more refined when compared to the original Poljot dials.
According to information gathered from Juri Levenberg's "Watches of Russia '96 Sammlerkatalog Nr.7", the following three chronographs were produced using cases, dials and hands manufactured in Italy:
The hands on the first two chronographs(102, 103) are unique to these chronographs, as is the casing on all(milled a little bit differently on each model). The third watch has Sturmanskie chrono hands, so I'm guessing these were imported from Poljot. As well, all are labeled "Komandirskie".
Having already noted the above, when I was searching for cases similar to those used for the Komandirskie chronos, I found this chronograph in the same catalogue:
The case on this watch is identical to the presumed Italian Vostok-style Komandirskie chrono case, and the hands are identical to the hands on the previously pictured Italian designed chronographs. Despite not being listed as of Italian design, this watch has identical features to both sets of Italian designed chronographs. I believe this was another one of the Italian designed chronographs.
Now, lets compare the initial Poljot case with the presumed Italian case:
Note that the Italian case is more refined around the crown and encompasses it to some degree, whereas the Poljot case is more loose fitting around the crown similar to that of a Vostok case?
At this point, it's important to note that future models of this chronograph utilize a case similar to that of the initial Poljot design, but with a case-back identical to that of the presumed Italian model.
3) The subsequent 1996 Komandirskie chronograph production, which I believe to be completely Russian/Poljot, as found in JL's '97 Sammlerkatalog Nr.8.
On this chronograph, produced only one year later than the presumed Italian design, numerous changes have been made:
a) All hands are Poljot. The red minute hand has been replaced with a hand identical to that of the seconds hand - typical Poljot.
b) A larger Poljot crown has been installed.
c) The bezel has been replaced with another pseudo-Vostok mainstay.
d)All of the dials have been replaced with new versions that share the identical number font.
I wonder why they would bother to make these changes? Unless, of course, they never did produce the '95 chronographs.
4) And last, and probably least coveted of all the Vostok-style Komandirskie Chronograph productions, we have the MakTime era creations with who knows how many different variations:
Note the 0s on the bezel are more rectangular than the oval 0s on the '95 bezel.
Anyway, to sum up my thoughts, I believe that:
a) Poljot produced the initial batch of Vostok-style Komandirskie chronographs in the early '90s for the export market.
b) An Italian company produced, along with other 3133 equipped chronographs, Vostok-style Komandirskie chronographs utilizing Italian manufactured components in 1995.
c) Starting in 1996, Poljot continued to produce their version of the Komandirskie chronograph, on and off, into the 2000s.
d) Vostok had nothing to do with any of this.
I trust that Mr. Levenberg won't mind me using his photos to advertise his very useful books. I'm also assuming those others who's photos I have used won't mind since they were previously posted to this forum.
I would love to see some movement photos as well as read the opinions of others on this matter.
Edit: Here is another Buran chronograph with similar hands and casing to the above mentioned pieces that was marketed in Germany as an "ars mundi" collectable. A very nice watch, indeed! I wonder if Poljot-International had something to do with the production?
I've divided the different productions into to four catagories:
1) The initial Navy and Airforce models with the old-style Poljot hands and lume:
The seemingly blue second hand suggests an early `90s chronograph rather than late '80s as suggested by a few sources(e.g. JL's 96 catalogue). However, it's not clear as to the number of years these chronographs were in production, so until we see a number of movement pics, the beginning and end to this initial production run will remain a mystery. As for who actually produced these, it is my opinion that all of the components are from Poljot. Whether or not it was assembled in Italy is another question.
2) My theory on the second version of Komandirskie Chronographs is that all components, apart from the movement itself, were produced and assembled in Italy ca. 1995; by whom, I don't know.
Note that a) the font on the Tank model dial is unique to the presumed Italian production, b) the hands are unique to these pieces and not found on any other Poljot chronograph, c) the bezel font is more rounded, and d) the luminous on the Navy and Air Force models is more refined when compared to the original Poljot dials.
According to information gathered from Juri Levenberg's "Watches of Russia '96 Sammlerkatalog Nr.7", the following three chronographs were produced using cases, dials and hands manufactured in Italy:
The hands on the first two chronographs(102, 103) are unique to these chronographs, as is the casing on all(milled a little bit differently on each model). The third watch has Sturmanskie chrono hands, so I'm guessing these were imported from Poljot. As well, all are labeled "Komandirskie".
Having already noted the above, when I was searching for cases similar to those used for the Komandirskie chronos, I found this chronograph in the same catalogue:
The case on this watch is identical to the presumed Italian Vostok-style Komandirskie chrono case, and the hands are identical to the hands on the previously pictured Italian designed chronographs. Despite not being listed as of Italian design, this watch has identical features to both sets of Italian designed chronographs. I believe this was another one of the Italian designed chronographs.
Now, lets compare the initial Poljot case with the presumed Italian case:
Note that the Italian case is more refined around the crown and encompasses it to some degree, whereas the Poljot case is more loose fitting around the crown similar to that of a Vostok case?
At this point, it's important to note that future models of this chronograph utilize a case similar to that of the initial Poljot design, but with a case-back identical to that of the presumed Italian model.
3) The subsequent 1996 Komandirskie chronograph production, which I believe to be completely Russian/Poljot, as found in JL's '97 Sammlerkatalog Nr.8.
On this chronograph, produced only one year later than the presumed Italian design, numerous changes have been made:
a) All hands are Poljot. The red minute hand has been replaced with a hand identical to that of the seconds hand - typical Poljot.
b) A larger Poljot crown has been installed.
c) The bezel has been replaced with another pseudo-Vostok mainstay.
d)All of the dials have been replaced with new versions that share the identical number font.
I wonder why they would bother to make these changes? Unless, of course, they never did produce the '95 chronographs.
4) And last, and probably least coveted of all the Vostok-style Komandirskie Chronograph productions, we have the MakTime era creations with who knows how many different variations:
Note the 0s on the bezel are more rectangular than the oval 0s on the '95 bezel.
Anyway, to sum up my thoughts, I believe that:
a) Poljot produced the initial batch of Vostok-style Komandirskie chronographs in the early '90s for the export market.
b) An Italian company produced, along with other 3133 equipped chronographs, Vostok-style Komandirskie chronographs utilizing Italian manufactured components in 1995.
c) Starting in 1996, Poljot continued to produce their version of the Komandirskie chronograph, on and off, into the 2000s.
d) Vostok had nothing to do with any of this.
I trust that Mr. Levenberg won't mind me using his photos to advertise his very useful books. I'm also assuming those others who's photos I have used won't mind since they were previously posted to this forum.
I would love to see some movement photos as well as read the opinions of others on this matter.
Edit: Here is another Buran chronograph with similar hands and casing to the above mentioned pieces that was marketed in Germany as an "ars mundi" collectable. A very nice watch, indeed! I wonder if Poljot-International had something to do with the production?