See what i found ? A 60 mm russian true diver watch ..

[level z]

complete with lens guard ... 

[TheHobbit]

any more information? Movement?

[adrian]

I could be wrong but I don't think this is a true Russian diver (depending on your definition of true). I think there was a controversy about this some time ago in a different forum but I can't recall where I had read about it. These are widely available on fleabay and a homage to the Zlatoust Diver (which is a sterile dial).

Nothing wrong with a homage and it's still a very cool looking watch. 

Again, I could be wrong though.

[takashi78]

What defines a true Russian diver?
Or what makes a Russian diver unique?

[TheHobbit]

What defines a true Russian diver?
Or what makes a Russian diver unique?

This thread might help:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f10/real-history-behind-famous-zlatoust-diver-watches-enough-your-lie-mr-invicta-432320.html

[level z]

any more information? Movement?

Assuming the one i am holding is real ... info on movement as follows ..

Mechanical movement with 15 Ruby jewels. Manual winding-up. 30-h winding. The watch with side second hand. Heavy case measures 60 mm (75 mm with head) in diameter 20 mm height. This watch is waterproof during at least one hour at a depth of up to 700 meters (~2300 foots). Made by the Russian Zlatoust watch factory. The sign on box: The order of the Ministry of Defense of USSR. Black dial, luminous numbers and hands for night visibility. The case is closed and sealed with the glass ring screwed from the top. Rubber strap. Wight of the watch is 260 gram. The crown is protected by a canteen screw and secured by a chain. Serial numbered on the back. The "grill" on the face can be removed by unscrewing the top

if you like one .. one for sale at ebay ...

http://xxxx

PS : btw it belongs to a fren who refuse to sell me. lol.

[ebay link removed]

[adrian]

What defines a true Russian diver?
Or what makes a Russian diver unique?

For me personally whenever Russian divers are discussed among collectors, the true/authentic Russian diver refers to the vintage Zlatoust diver that ceased production in the 70s and the new reissue 192-ChS produced by the Agat Factory.

The issue was that someone in Russia decided to make a whole range of similar looking type watches and gave it a spin by creating different dials, having lens guard and engraving on the caseback, etc and started selling them in Russia as souvenirs to tourists. These watches then made it on ebay and to a few online sites and sellers falsely claimed that they were "true" Russian divers produced in the 70s by the Zlatoust factory. They started packaging these in boxes with Russian markings, certificate of authenticity that they were made by the Zlatoust factory and started making a fortune.

These watches are not fakes, they are homages. But to claim that they were made by the Zlatoust factory is wrong. Something Invicta claimed as well to their Russian divers until they got burned (the link by hobbit explains this). There is only one diver produced by the Zlatoust factory and it never had a lens guard, had sterile dial and a sterile case back with just the serial no.

Here's a good post by TLex on this http://oceanictime.blogspot.com/2011/03/zlatoust-192-chs-vodolaz.html

[adrian]

PS : btw it belongs to a fren who refuse to sell me. lol.

Well since it's not your watch, I don't have to be so diplomatic.

It's a homage as per my reply to takashi above. These watches are not made by the Zlatoust factory as claimed to be. Here's a link to what the true Zlatoust diver looks like. http://www.netgrafik.ch/zlatoust-diver-2.htm

I was looking for an authentic diver some time ago and found these on ebay and a few sites. Before I pulled the trigger I did some research and asked many Russian collectors. One ebay seller even replied me that there were not made by the Zlatoust Factory but it was more of a symbolic thing as a tribute.

Again nothing wrong with the watch. It's a good looking homage and even Arnold wears them.