"Slava" (clock, USSR): description, characteristics, history. Men's mechanical watches

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Watches of Soviet brands were in great demand not only in our country, but also in Europe. And this is not surprising, because in terms of accuracy and design they were in no way inferior to recognized Swiss brands. And in some respects they even surpassed them. The wrist watch "Slava" was the dream of many Soviet citizens, and we will talk about them in this article.

Second Moscow Watch Factory: the history of the creation of the famous enterprise

There were no watch factories in Soviet Russia, this significantly spoiled the image of the young state, which was striving with all its might to become the first in all areas of the economy and the production of goods for the population. I had to adopt experience from foreign colleagues, and the first equipment of far from the best quality was purchased there. But it was it that became the basis for the opening of watch factories in the Soviet Union.

In the twenties of the XX century, the Second Moscow Clockwork was opened in the capitalplant, which was formed as a result of the merger of numerous workshops and a radiotelegraph plant. In those days, only the best watchmakers of the former empire worked at the newly opened enterprise. They actively cooperated with the Soviet authorities and were glad of the opportunity to do what they loved. These same people taught the newcomers on their own, who later became those who created the Slava brand. Watches of the USSR have always received rather sonorous names that characterize the spirit of a young state. In addition, they were of high quality and therefore quite carefully developed. The debut product of the Second Moscow Watch Factory came out only six years after its formation. And it was not a wrist watch, but a street watch. More than twenty years separated the plant from the creation of the brand "Slava" (watches, USSR), which would become the pride of the enterprise.

After the first street clock, Muscovites got alarm clocks. They were not available to every resident of the capital, but they were in great demand and were a symbol of success.

Brand "Slava"

Watches of the USSR began to be mass-produced around the eve of the Second World War. The watch factory did not lag behind the general trend. Various brands of wrist watch movements were put into production - "Era", "Victory". Actively sold out pocket models called "Salute". Desk mechanisms and the already mentioned alarm clocks have come into fashion.

Soviet people sought to purchase goods,produced by the industry of our country, which were of high quality. This aspect was given special importance, because the citizens of the USSR were supposed to own only the best goods. That was the policy of the state.

With the outbreak of World War II, the production of watches was suspended, and the factory itself was evacuated to Chistopol. Later, in this city, its own enterprise was created, which is a subsidiary of the Second Moscow Watch Factory.

A few years after the significant victory, the first men's mechanical watch "Slava" was put on sale. A few years later, a female model came out under the same name.

Slava watch in brief

The "Slava" model appeared only after the masters of the plant managed to master the production of small-sized alarm clocks. In addition, it took many years to create a new brand, spent on the development of stopwatches and various watch movements. Literally from the moment of its first appearance on store shelves, Soviet citizens fell in love with the Slava brand. Watches of the USSR in the second half of the twentieth century were more of a luxury than everyday life. Therefore, the people of our vast country gladly accepted the emergence of models that were designed for the capabilities and needs of the average person. This alone has made these watches extremely popular.

Over time, a fairly wide range of factory products began to be produced under this brand:

• women's and men's watches;
• alarm clocks;
• wall mechanisms;
• table clock.

Most of the models were mechanical, but the first quartz watch in the country was produced under the Slava brand so beloved by Soviet citizens.

Characteristics of famous watches

The design of the movement was given great attention. Almost all models used a shock-resistant case, a stopwatch and a double calendar. For the middle of the last century, such a filling was truly revolutionary.

From the mid-sixties of the twentieth century, watchmakers began to exhibit models under the Slava brand at international exhibitions. And, which is quite expected, they were highly appreciated by foreign experts. More than once, the products of the Second Moscow Watch Factory were awarded gold medals. It was this fact that played a role in the fact that the products of the brand "Slava" (watches, the USSR) began to be produced for export. They were supplied to different countries of the world, sometimes more than half of all products were exported. This served as an impetus for the modifications of mechanisms, watchmakers actively worked to ensure that their brand was not inferior to Western novelties in terms of technological characteristics. One of the characteristic features of all models, without exception, was a double barrel. Over time, it became a symbol of the Slava watch.

Modification of mechanisms used in watches

Watches for men mechanical brands"Glory" were subjected to great changes and modifications. During the entire existence of the brand, several mechanisms have been developed:

• 2409;
• 2414;
• 2416;
• 2427;
• 2428.

In the eighties of the last century, the last modification of the watch mechanism was put into production, and since that period, the factory has not made new developments.

The "Slava" watch had a different number of stones. Mechanisms with twenty-one and twenty-five stones differed. Many models were self-winding, and some even showed the days of the week.

The case of most watches was made of brass, it was covered with chrome or gold. Quartz models "Glory" are not too fond of the consumer. They were produced in a limited series in the nineties of the last century.

Watch "Slava" today

The history of Slava watches in the 21st century is not as rosy as many watchmakers would like. With the collapse of the USSR, the decline of the plant began, the products could no longer compete with foreign models. The consumer preferred collections with intricate design, and the Second Moscow Watch Factory did not keep up with modern trends. Naturally, this affected the number of sales. The company was slowly approaching bankruptcy.

In 2005, the trademark "Slava" together with the factory building and the remaining equipment was purchased by a private bank. A year later, the Trading House "Slava" was formed, fulfilling the taskthe revival of watchmaking in the country.

Today products under the brand name "Slava" work on Japanese and domestic mechanisms. Some models use original parts of the Second Moscow Watch Factory, others use Vostok mechanisms.

In recent years, Trade House "Slava" has united several brands under its own brand and is actively developing them. Watches are regularly sent to international exhibitions and are gradually regaining their former popularity. The past three years have had a significant impact on the sales of watches of this brand. They began to be bought up as a souvenir by foreigners visiting our country as part of tourist trips. Products of the brand "Slava" are especially popular among the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire.

Watch models

Today, the range of Slava brand products is quite wide. The largest selection is among the collections of men's watches:

• "Patriot";
• "Tradition";
• "Business";
• "Bravo";
• "Premier" and many others.

Even the most scrupulous man will be able to choose something for himself among the whole variety of models. Women also have the opportunity to please themselves with elegant watches on a gold and silver bracelet from the "Instinct" collection. But for young people, special unisex watches have been developed. They feature an innovative design and can be made in a single copy with an individual pattern on the dial. It brings the brand to a newlevel and restores it to its former glory.

The cost of the watch "Glory"

When we talk about the price that must be paid to become the happy owner of the Slava watch, you need to understand that it varies depending on the model range and year of production. The easiest way to deal with the cost of modern watches. Usually it ranges from three thousand rubles to ten thousand rubles. This applies to models with a mechanical and quartz movement of modern design. When we talk about the "Business" collection or a gold watch, it is worth having at least one hundred and fifty thousand rubles with you. The cost of some models exceeds two hundred thousand rubles.

Completely different amounts will be discussed when you have a rare Slava watch (USSR) in front of you.

Price of Soviet-made watches

Now on the Internet you can find many sites selling rare products of the Slava brand. Their cost fluctuates within several tens of thousands of dollars. Such a high price depends on the collection value and condition of the watch. Indeed, sometimes there are rare specimens that have been working properly for more than fifty years and can tell the whole story of someone's family.

More simple products or those that have some breakdowns can be purchased for literally one and a half to two thousand rubles. Watchmakers claim that almost any damage can be repaired and the watch will serve you faithfully for many years to come. After all, it’s not for nothing that the Soviet brand"Slava" was known all over the world.