A very rare Russian export to Italy incoming!

[ianmedium]

Now, this one is going to challenge a few here as its well, not a subtle dial colour!
I have a friend on FB a who runs a Soviet watches page. He posts only the really rare stuff and perusing his page today I came across a watch I never in a million years thought would be my taste but I just could not get it out of my mind, I fell in love with it!
This 26 jewel day date from Slava was made for the Italian market and are as rare as hens teeth.
So I popped over to ebay and low and behold there was an NOS example for sale from a seller of a Russian watches in Spain and at a crazy cheap price so I jumped!
Now, put your Sun glasses on!
First shot is from the seller and the other one is my friends example. Not sure which shade is more accurate. I shall find out soon enough!!

[CHIP]

I like it!!

[ianmedium]

Cheers Chip, there is something about the mix of the pink and grey that really appeals. I like it on the tan strap as well but saw one on a green canvas that looked really good as well.
From what I can ascertain the button at 1'O'Clock advances the date

[katgirl]

I like it, too. I have sent watches to Spain, but never purchased one from there. As much as I want a Russian watch, the one time I bid and won on a Russian listing , I got cheated....

[tsirmans]

I like it. The color and everything about it is nice.

[ianmedium]

Thanks folks!

Thanks to my friend on FB I am discovering a whole world of watches I did not know existed before, there are some stunners out there from Russia.
Kat, I am sorry you had a bad experience. You should head over to the Russian Forum on WUS They have a thread on sellers that are good.
One has to be so careful on eBay with Russian is watches as so many are Franken's purporting to be something they are not so the ebay adage of buy the seller is even more important.
This fellow in Spain has an impeccable reputation and is known for finding rarer pieces.

[iceman]

That's cool Ian

[ianmedium]

Cheers Marcus.
I have just been reading up on this movement, it has some novel ( well to me anyway) features. Two barrels coupled in parallel, indirectly driven seconds hand and a large balance. 47 hour power reserve and the date set by a push button with the day being adjusted normally.

www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&Slava_2428

They did three Italian only ones, one with a large red star on a white dial and the other a rather beautiful California dial and I want that Cali badly, unfortunately Hens teeth are easier to come by, mind, the same can be said for this one so hope springs eternal!

www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&Slava_2428

[carl]

;-|Have to say, I can understand why you fell in love with this one, Ian!

And now I will have bragging rights as well, because I will soon get to see it IRL!!

[ianmedium]

This one will probably get here before the Vostok mate as its coming from Spain.

[ianmedium]

Someone on the Russian forum just posted a picture of the complete set, I got one wrong, it's a medical watch not one with a red star. Just look at that Cali dial, man I have to find one of those!

[Baco Noir]

Wow, I think Laurie would love the pink CA dial model.

[rw16610]

Excellent discovery, Ian. You're always opening my eyes to near pieces I've never seen or heard of before.

[ianmedium]

Thanks Rommel, I like to keep discovering other watch making companies to keep my interest going

[shawndl5]

I like it! I love watches with unique dials!