m-watches.com, Authorized Seller in Germany

m-watches.com is an an authorized seller for Vostok, Raketa and Moscow Classic. The company is based in Germany but ships internationally, including to North America. In fact, the price is 19% lower for all deliveries outside EU since tax does not apply.

"All watches are legally imported to Germany and we are listed as authorized sellers on all three manufacturer's websites," says m-watches.com proprietor Tetyana Borysenko.

m-watches.com also operates a German-language ebay store.

Video - How a Vostok Komandirskie is Built

This 8 minute video, which was made for Russian television, takes a close look at the Vostok Komandirskie. It includes a good explanation of the inner workings of the watch's mechanical movement.

Particularly entertaining is the segment where Dmitri the watch designer drives over his Komandirskie with his car. Of course, the watch survives unscathed and fully functional!

Is Russia the Largest Manufacturer of Aviation Wristwatches?

I recently noticed a claim on the Aviator (Volmax) website that Russia is the world's largest manufacturer of Aviation watches.

I don't know whether the claim is true, though it could be, and certainly there is no denying that Russia has a rich and deep history of making aviator-style watches for the military.

Here's the quote in its entirety:

"Russia is the world’s largest manufacturer of Aviation wristwatches, with a history going back to 1927 when the Russian government decided to build quality timepieces for its military. In the decades that followed, the Russian watch industry produced timepieces specifically built to exacting military standards that were not originally available to the public. The direct descendants of these watches are available today in the Aviator line. From highly complicated chronographs to big-dialed, easy-to-read timekeepers, the Aviator watch by Volmax is the culmination of three quarters of a century of aviation watch development."

Download Vostok-Europe Summer Catalog

Vostok-Europe's Summer Catalog 2010 is available for download in PDF format.

The catalog includes photos and detailed information about all V-E current watch models including Ekranoplan, Gaz Limo, Energia, Anchar, Rocket N1, TU-144, Red Square, K-3 Submarine, Expedition and Arktika.

Vostok-Europe has, perhaps, the most stylish design of all modern Russian watches so the catalog is worth checking out.

Download the catalog here.

Vostok-Europe Debuts New Gaz-14 Limo Chronograph

This week, Vostok-Europe debuts the new GAZ-14 Limousine chronograph.

The watch uses the Japan OS22 movement with retrograde function and 1/20 second indication.

The new chrono has the same dimensions as other watches in the GAZ line.

New Energia-2 Launches Next Week

Vostok-Europe has scheduled the launch of the new Energia-2 model for next week.

The new Energia-2 features slight design changes from the original Energia model including increased case size, round top crystal and concave downward dial opening, and more relief teeth of the bezel.

Retail price for the new watch will be $479 or $519, depending on the model.

Here are the specs:

- Automatic 2441 VE movement with asymmetrical position of minute, hour and second hands

- Stainless steel 46 mm case

- 5 atm water resistance

- SuperLuminova indexes on the dial and hands

- Exhibition case back with engraved serial number

- Solid stainless steel bracelet with double pushers deployant buckle

- A-grade black PVD plating of case and bracelet.

Tips from a Russian Watch Expert

Russian Watch Guide recently had the opportunity to interview Mark Gordon, one of the world's top experts on Russian and Soviet watches. In the interview Mark shared his thoughts on the best Russian watch brands and movements, the quality of modern vs vintage Russian watches and much more.

You can read the interview here.

45mm Aviator - Big, Functional Aviator Watch

The 45mm Aviator by Volmax has a lot of characteristics that are common to Russian watches. It's a simple, solid, mechanical watch with military styling. It's also a big watch with a 45mm diameter.

For more information, read this 45mm Aviator review.

Ekranoplan Poster

Here's a copy of a poster for Vostok-Europe's impressive new "Ekranoplan" watch.

Vostok-Europe "Caspian Sea Monster" Ekranoplan Watches Now Available

Vostok-Europe's newest watch is now available. It's called the "Caspian Sea Monster" Ekranoplan KM. It's a big watch with a case diameter of 47mm. Several versions are available. The watch sells for about $450 at Russia2all.

The watch is named  after the largest "ground effect" vehicle ever built.  The Sea Monster carried record payloads quickly and economically by riding just above the sea waves on a cushion of air -- or "ground effect" -- which significantly increased lift and reduced drag. 

Features of the watch include:

 

-          An automatic 2432.01 movement with raised hands to accommodate tritium tubes

-          20 atm water resistant surgical grade stainless steel 47 mm case

-          Black and gun metal PVD coated sand blasted cases

-          Uni-directional rotating bezel with minute counter

-          Two color day & night indicator

-          24-hour GMT digital readout

-          17 trigalight®  micro tubes on the dial and hands for nighttime visibility

-          Screw-down crown and exhibition case back

-          Custom, integrated silicon strap