Soviet Watch Repair & Restoration
Only Soviet watches. Only mechanical. Only what I actually know.
Igor
Who's behind Soviet Box
Igor
Watchmaker & collector of Soviet horology
10+ years with Soviet watches
I've worked with Soviet watches for more than 10 years. Hundreds of pieces — different brands, different calibers — have passed through my hands over that time.
I do the diagnosis, disassembly, cleaning, repair, assembly and regulation of the mechanical movements myself.
To me, a Soviet watch isn't just a vintage item. It's a piece of engineering history from its time — one that can be preserved and brought back to life.
Before a watch reaches you
How I work with every watch
Every watch listed on Soviet Box has been serviced by me personally — full disassembly, cleaning, and everything below — unless the listing says otherwise. The one exception is New Old Stock (NOS): watches that were never worn or wound. Those I leave exactly as they are and don't open up.
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01
Diagnosis
I check the condition of the movement, the case, the dial, the hands and the winding system.
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02
Disassembly
The movement is taken apart to assess the condition of every part.
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03
Cleaning
Parts are cleaned of old lubricant and grime.
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04
Repair
Worn or faulty parts are repaired, or replaced where a suitable original part is available.
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05
Assembly & Lubrication
The movement is assembled and lubricated to the specification of that particular caliber.
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06
Regulation
The movement is tested and the timekeeping is regulated.
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07
Final Check
The watch is checked one more time before it ships to you.
My Warranty
My Warranty on the Work
6 Months
I stand behind the movement after any service I've personally performed on it — for 6 months from the day it reaches you.
What's covered
- Movement faults related to the work I performed
- Issues caused by incorrect assembly or regulation on my part
- A further service, if it's genuinely required because of my work
What isn't covered
- Physical damage after the watch is received
- Impacts and drops
- Water or moisture exposure
- Work performed by another watchmaker in the meantime
- Damage to the case, crystal, crown, strap or other external parts, unless it resulted from my work
- Natural wear of original vintage parts
Quality Control Bulletin
Letters From Service
Owner reports filed after watch repair and restoration at the workshop.
QC Verdict: Excellent!
10 Reports on File
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- Item
- 1MChZ Kirovskie
- Work Performed
- Restoration
- Result
- Positive
- QC Verdict
- Excellent
A 1MChZ Kirovskie is a rare find outside Russia, and I was thrilled Igor recognised the movement immediately and knew exactly how to service it. Full cleaning, oiling and regulation — it now keeps time within Soviet factory spec. As a longtime collector of Eastern Bloc watches, this is some of the most careful work I have had done anywhere.
— Hiroshi T., Japan
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- Item
- Chaika 1601A
- Work Performed
- Repair
- Result
- Positive
- QC Verdict
- Good
Small ladies' Chaika with a tiny movement that I was nervous to even send by post. It arrived back fully serviced, running accurately, and the case and crystal were gently cleaned without touching the original finish. A couple of small scratches on the case back were not addressed, hence four stars, but the mechanical work is first rate.
— Anders S., Sweden
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- Item
- Zarya
- Work Performed
- Repair
- Result
- Positive
- QC Verdict
- Excellent
The crown had snapped clean off my Zarya and I could not find a matching replacement anywhere in Europe. Igor sourced the correct period stem and crown, fitted it, and the winding action feels exactly as it should. Fast turnaround considering the part had to come from Ukraine to Milan and back.
— Marco R., Italy
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- Item
- ZIM Cal. 2602
- Work Performed
- Restoration
- Result
- Positive
- QC Verdict
- Excellent
This ZIM belonged to my wife's grandfather and the case plating had worn through in several spots. Igor had it replated and fully overhauled the movement, which had not been serviced in decades. It looks dignified rather than "new", which is exactly what I wanted for a family heirloom. Delighted with the result.
— Pieter V., Netherlands
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- Item
- Luch 2209
- Work Performed
- Repair
- Result
- Positive
- QC Verdict
- Good
Shipped my Luch 2209 all the way from Perth after the winding crown started slipping and would not catch the mainspring properly. Fix took a bit longer than expected because a part had to be sourced, but Igor kept me updated the whole time. Watch now winds smoothly and gains maybe three seconds a day.
— Liam O'Connor, Australia
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- Item
- Slava 2428
- Work Performed
- Repair
- Result
- Positive
- QC Verdict
- Excellent
My Slava kept stopping after a few hours no matter how much I wound it. Turned out to be a worn balance staff. Igor sourced a period-correct replacement, serviced the whole movement, and it has run without a single stop since I got it back six weeks ago. Very fair price for the work involved.
— Daniel K., Canada
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- Item
- Raketa Black Prince
- Work Performed
- Restoration
- Result
- Positive
- QC Verdict
- Excellent
Ma Raketa Black Prince avait un ressort moteur cassé et le verre était fendu. Le travail de restauration est impeccable : nouveau ressort, verre remplacé, et le boîtier a gardé sa patine d'origine, ce que j'appréciais particulièrement. La montre tourne comme neuve. Communication en anglais très claire pendant tout le processus.
— Jean-Pierre L., France
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- Item
- Poljot 2614.2H
- Work Performed
- Repair
- Result
- Positive
- QC Verdict
- Excellent
The winding stem on my Poljot 2614.2H had seized solid and the watch had not run in years by the time it reached the workshop. Igor stripped the movement down, cleaned and re-oiled it, fitted a replacement stem, and regulated the hairspring. Timing is now within a few seconds a day, which is remarkable for a movement this old.
— Klaus B., Germany
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- Item
- Pobeda 2602
- Work Performed
- Restoration
- Result
- Positive
- QC Verdict
- Excellent
My grandfather's Pobeda 2602 had a badly faded dial and scratched crystal — I honestly thought it was beyond saving. It came back with the dial carefully refinished, a new crystal fitted, and the hands relumed to match the original style. Runs beautifully now. Worth every penny for a family piece like this.
— Thomas W., United Kingdom
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- Item
- Vostok Amphibia
- Work Performed
- Repair
- Result
- Positive
- QC Verdict
- Excellent
Sent in my Vostok Amphibia with a crown that had stopped winding properly. Igor replaced the stem and crown, resealed the gasket, and pressure-tested it before shipping back. Three months later it is still keeping excellent time and the crown feels tight and precise again. Great communication throughout the whole process.
— Robert H., USA
Sourcing
Haven't found the watch you're looking for?
I can try to find it for you — a specific brand, caliber, dial, or a watch from a particular year or factory.
Send a RequestSpare Parts
Need a spare part?
Send me a photo of the part (or of the watch it belongs to) and I'll see what I can find.
Get in Touch