Well the 3017 is more collectible, will hold (or increase) its value better, has a smoother operating chronograph, is slightly smaller in diameter, and is much thinner. It has more classic styling as well, with some models having "scalloped" registers/subdials. The downsides are a less robust movement (no shock protection), chromed coatings that will rub off if you wear them frequently, hard to find parts for repair, a shorter power reserve (I think), and lack of date complication (this could be a plus).

The 3133 versions have more variety in styling, shock protection of the movement, stainless steel cases, easy-to-find parts, more modern/fancy looks like guilloched dials, longer power reserve, and date complication. The downsides are the date complication (I'd prefer it without), much thicker case while still being small diameter, and stiffer actuating of the chronograph. There are also bracelets made to fit the 3133 version.

Overall it's pretty obvious this boils down to the following question: are you buying this as a collector's piece to seldom or never be worn or is this going to be a daily wearer or at least in a frequent rotation?

Also keep in mind there are rumors a new 3133 larger strela (42mm) is to be debuted in the next few weeks.

 

Well stated. That's the key difference - collect or wear.

 

I think we all know there's only one correct answer to this:

Collect AND wear!

Get both!

If the new 42mm does indeed come out soon, it could well be a very good "modern" watch in that it will be rugged and all-stainless with a big size (the trend of the past decade or more) and it will be Russian-produced (under Juri Levenberg's supervision and marketing).

I think someone on here has a matching 3133 and 3017 set, that is the closest 3133 and 3017 in terms of looks. That would make the perfect pair!

I have a Strela 3133 that I think combines the best of both I'm having Jay at Motor City Watch Works mod, should have it by next week if it all comes together. Here's a teaser:

 

One final note, if you buy from a reputable seller the new 3133 Strela will of course have a warranty. I don't think Irina Maer has any of them in stock, so I would recommend buying from Julian Kampmann at poljot24.de (He and Irina are both top-notch sellers).

 

We all know there is only one correct answer

 

Beautiful!

I knew someone on here had matching 3017 and 3133 Strelas.

Also Ham2, as I'm sure you've noticed, your 3133 Strela has a different date ring from normal and avoids the misalignment you see in others (including both of mine). I assume it's a Poljot/Volmax model from the early 2000s. I wonder if the die used to cut all off the 38mm Strela dials was designed to use this date ring and hence the misalignment problem with the more common sans-serif date ring.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

 

Thanks drbobguy. I had noticed the misalignment on dates with the newer 3133 font ring on some members strelas. I am not sure, though, when this one was made (got it from JK so I assumed it was a JL model).

 

If you want to wear the watch, go for the 3133 for robustness and ease of servicing. If you want one that is elusive or exclusive, but impractical, opt for the 3017.

 

It is very simple:

the Strela has a 3017 and is an antique watch.

So-called Strela with 3133, or Asian quartz movements are, in the best case, hommages. The problem is that some private persons have faked Russian Homages from company Poljot then from companies PoljotInternational (the former German official importer Mr. Shorokhoff) and Volmax (having taken over the production of Poljot), while attempting to acquire a trademark right to counter the original proprietor of the brand. This extremely active person failed everywhere, except in his land Germany. And it is from this land and probably from China too that some recurrent waves of Strela with or without different problems (mistyped Russian words on dial or case back) kept coming until now. Then Strela means money!
The Russian 3133 is a thicker movement that is more solid than the 3017, which was abandoned in the 1970's. But is means bigger watches than the original, just because there is no other Soviet/Russian chronograph movements still scarcely available.

 

It is very simple:

the Strela has a 3017 and is an antique watch.

So-called Strela with 3133, or Asian quartz movements are, in the best case, hommages. The problem is that some private persons have faked Russian Homages from company Poljot then from companies PoljotInternational (the former German official importer Mr. Shorokhoff) and Volmax (having taken over the production of Poljot), while attempting to acquire a trademark right to counter the original proprietor of the brand. This extremely active person failed everywhere, except in his land Germany.

Gee, it's a shame you don't have a very strong opinion.

I have separate follow-up questions:
(1) Someone above said the 42mm JL Strela will be "Russian made." What's the proof of that? And won't that make the subdials look funny, since the watch will be larger but the 3133 will dictate that the subdials be placed at the same location?
(2) How can one be sure to get a decent 3017 these days? I'd be so worried about paying $600+ for a vintage watch, and it coming with frankenized parts and/or would stop working immediatelyh.
(3) OhDark, that Sekonda is absolutely stunning!

 

I don't agree that a 3017 has to be a watch box queen, something to admire but not wear.
Mine is my go to watch, the jewel of my collection. Sure, if I'm going to get soaked to the skin or go airsofting (ouch!), I'll wear something else. But the Strela will be with me most days, doing what I do
The history is fascinating, the look is captivating (but utterly practical). It's been to space, so hardly a delicate flower. And if bits break, I'll move the earth to keep her running

 

I don't agree that a 3017 has to be a watch box queen, something to admire but not wear.
Mine is my go to watch, the jewel of my collection. Sure, if I'm going to get soaked to the skin or go airsofting (ouch!), I'll wear something else. But the Strela will be with me most days, doing what I do
The history is fascinating, the look is captivating (but utterly practical). It's been to space, so hardly a delicate flower. And if bits break, I'll move the earth to keep her running

Fully agree! Watch are made for being worn! Old, new, big, small, fragile, indestructible, whatever!

 

First of all, I've read this vertically so I might be missing the point :-d

But a couple of things I think are related and important regarding what you are asking. There are currently two Strelas. The Sturmanskie Strela that is 44mm (I think) and very expensive regarding the other one, the Strela brand owned by Juri Levemberg. Those are smaller watches, around 39mm but with long lugs that don't make them a small wear by any means.

Juri anounced that there would be a 42mm version by the end of the last year but nothing has come out yet. I think he enjoys a good relation with Moscow Classic and they have a similar watch to the Strela on a 42mm case (the C7). So the cases are available but the 31xx movement is no longer produced and stocks are running low. Maybe that's why it's not a good strategy to go with something more unconventional right now and tie those movements that are left to a new product. The smaller Strela sells well, so why risk it? Plus, it's much closer to the original watch.

A caveat regrading the dial colour on the military models... the old ones didn't use sueprluminova and the markers were a clear and strong green. The new ones do use superluminova but the green lume is a lot more lighter. That makes a bad combination with the white dial, I had one and end up selling it because it's hard to tell hands and markers against a white dial.

 

I recall in a Russia2All video that the new 39mm Strellas were sourced from "eastern Europe" - probably Poland.