Sturmanskie 31659
Discussion
Soviet Air Force Sturmanskie ('Navigator') 31681 issued in/dated 1989. Calibre: 31659, which is a modified, (to hack), Poljot 3133 which itself is a modified Valjoux 7734.
From Brendans excellent review at TZ-UK ( http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t... ):
"At its peak in the 1980s, the BBC could deploy approximately 10,000 aircraft, and at the beginning of the 1990s the Soviet Union had an air force that in terms of quantity and quality fulfilled superpower standards.
Sturmanskie 31681
Calibre: 31659
Manual wind
Bph: 21,600
Power reserve: 42 hours
23 Jewels
Hacking
The Soviets introduced a new chronograph caliber in 1976 which was designated the 3133. It was based on the Valjoux 7734 for which the Soviets had purchased the machinery from the Swiss in 1974. The Soviets made a number of modifications to the 7734 (for example, the balance wheel was changed and the beat frequency was raised to improve accuracy), but many of the parts remain interchangeable.
The new chronograph calibre entered service in 1976 in the Îêåàí (meaning Ocean), and was initially exclusively used by the Soviet Navy. Later, other official versions such as the Soviet Air Force Øòóðìàíñêèå / Sturmanskie (meaning Navigator's) were introduced.
The Sturmanskie I have here was produced in 1987 (the first year that these were produced), and would have been issued to a Soviet air force officer. It has a stainless steel case and 31659 calibre movement. The 31659 is a hacking variant of the standard (and non-hacking) 3133, having an additional small lever that applies pressure to the outside of the balance when the crown is pulled out, thereby freezing the balance and hacking the watch. A lower quality civilian version with chromed case and non-hacking 3133 movement was also produced, but it was only the military issue pieces which contained the stainless steel cases and hacking movements.
Constant seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock, with the chronograph minutes sub-dial at 3 o'clock - this records up to 30 minutes only."
I can't put it better myself.
After a bit of journey it's here at last -
Quite colourful -
The lume on this one is in great condition:
Notice the conical pushers:
Nice case graining, also in good condition:
Suitably stark case back -
And with a Cold War rival from the same decade -
As well as their issued Air Force (BBC) connection they were widely used by cosmonauts, indeed being used for EVAs as well:
A little known fact is that cosmonaut Alexander Poleshuk, engineer for the Soyuz TM-16/MIR-13 expedition, wore a 31659 Sturmanskie during his 179 days flight in 1993, including during his EVAs - there are a lot of "space" watches but not very many have actually been outside the capsule (on numerous occasions) like this one.
Here's Alex holding the watches he wore in space...
(Jon'; ATG)
(Jon'; ATG)
From Brendans excellent review at TZ-UK ( http://www.tz-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t... ):
"At its peak in the 1980s, the BBC could deploy approximately 10,000 aircraft, and at the beginning of the 1990s the Soviet Union had an air force that in terms of quantity and quality fulfilled superpower standards.
Sturmanskie 31681
Calibre: 31659
Manual wind
Bph: 21,600
Power reserve: 42 hours
23 Jewels
Hacking
The Soviets introduced a new chronograph caliber in 1976 which was designated the 3133. It was based on the Valjoux 7734 for which the Soviets had purchased the machinery from the Swiss in 1974. The Soviets made a number of modifications to the 7734 (for example, the balance wheel was changed and the beat frequency was raised to improve accuracy), but many of the parts remain interchangeable.
The new chronograph calibre entered service in 1976 in the Îêåàí (meaning Ocean), and was initially exclusively used by the Soviet Navy. Later, other official versions such as the Soviet Air Force Øòóðìàíñêèå / Sturmanskie (meaning Navigator's) were introduced.
The Sturmanskie I have here was produced in 1987 (the first year that these were produced), and would have been issued to a Soviet air force officer. It has a stainless steel case and 31659 calibre movement. The 31659 is a hacking variant of the standard (and non-hacking) 3133, having an additional small lever that applies pressure to the outside of the balance when the crown is pulled out, thereby freezing the balance and hacking the watch. A lower quality civilian version with chromed case and non-hacking 3133 movement was also produced, but it was only the military issue pieces which contained the stainless steel cases and hacking movements.
Constant seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock, with the chronograph minutes sub-dial at 3 o'clock - this records up to 30 minutes only."
I can't put it better myself.
After a bit of journey it's here at last -
Quite colourful -
The lume on this one is in great condition:
Notice the conical pushers:
Nice case graining, also in good condition:
Suitably stark case back -
And with a Cold War rival from the same decade -
As well as their issued Air Force (BBC) connection they were widely used by cosmonauts, indeed being used for EVAs as well:
A little known fact is that cosmonaut Alexander Poleshuk, engineer for the Soyuz TM-16/MIR-13 expedition, wore a 31659 Sturmanskie during his 179 days flight in 1993, including during his EVAs - there are a lot of "space" watches but not very many have actually been outside the capsule (on numerous occasions) like this one.
Here's Alex holding the watches he wore in space...
(Jon'; ATG)
(Jon'; ATG)
CardShark said:
Always impressed by the thought that some people on here put into their watch purchases, the whats, the whys etc. Makes me feel like a complete noob 
I agree. Mine are I like the look of it. What's the movement, what size is it will it look good with a suit. Occasionally I think if I can afford it or not.
Thanks for the comments gents, the Russians were past masters at austerity measures, and somehow this is reflected in the watch - manual, grey dial with what looks like the same red paint on the second hand as used on a tank or Trabant. All good interesting stuff in my book.
Anyway, while playing around I had the back off. Here's one of the ring lock system to secure the case back (this is why the inscription is never angled as it would be on a threaded caseback). See the small location notch just below the airforce symbol...?
And a few of the movement - notice the '31659' movement number:
Here's the unmodified 3133 for comparison -
(Courtesy P. Delury/TZ)
Date is presumably 02-89; second quarter of 1989 -
Anyway, while playing around I had the back off. Here's one of the ring lock system to secure the case back (this is why the inscription is never angled as it would be on a threaded caseback). See the small location notch just below the airforce symbol...?
And a few of the movement - notice the '31659' movement number:
Here's the unmodified 3133 for comparison -
(Courtesy P. Delury/TZ)
Date is presumably 02-89; second quarter of 1989 -
Edited by andy_s on Tuesday 19th July 17:48
Digging this one up from ages ago, but superb thread Andy. I was looking for some info and this came up on Google (I do remember reading it 'in period' too), excellent as always!
My 4-86 marked one is (hopefully) off for service shortly.
Haven't decided if it'll stay or not, but will see.
My 4-86 marked one is (hopefully) off for service shortly.
Haven't decided if it'll stay or not, but will see.
GC8 said:
Sadly Poljot has expired. For a while a German was assembling 3133s into cases and selling them as Poljots, and you may still be able to buy a 'Sturmanskie' now, but it probably has a Chinese movement in it.
What a shame, I thought they did some really nice Chronos. I had a 3133 Cosmonaut that I regret getting rid of, tried sourcing another but it was a difficult model to find (it was a Limited Edition).
A shame they're no longer.
I spent a few hours trying to find out about Poljot recently and what I previously believed isn’t correct.
The German with a good reputation buys his watches from a Russian with a poor reputation. He squats on a number of trademarks but has no connection to Poljot.
Most employees from Poljot set up a company called Volmax and they still operate from FMW’s premises.
Anything newly manufactured using the name Poljot is nothing to do with Poljot and the trademark is still owned by the FMWF’s owners.
If you want a ‘Poljot’ now then a Volmax produced watch is the only option.
The German with a good reputation buys his watches from a Russian with a poor reputation. He squats on a number of trademarks but has no connection to Poljot.
Most employees from Poljot set up a company called Volmax and they still operate from FMW’s premises.
Anything newly manufactured using the name Poljot is nothing to do with Poljot and the trademark is still owned by the FMWF’s owners.
If you want a ‘Poljot’ now then a Volmax produced watch is the only option.
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