Vintage Slava Soviet Watch USSR Cal 2428 26 Jewels Day Date Navy Dial 1980s

Soviet Slava Day-Date, Caliber 2428, 26 Jewels (Second Moscow Watch Factory, Early 1980s)

Here's a properly catalogued piece of Soviet horology: a Slava 3101801, built at the Second Moscow Watch Factory and listed by that exact reference in the 1983 USSR state watch catalog. Reference-matched Soviet watches are increasingly hard to come by, and this one wears its provenance well. The watch was professionally serviced in early June 2026, carefully regulated, and is running accurately and reliably, ready to be worn and enjoyed.

The Look

What pulls the eye first is the dial — a deep navy blue, framed by a printed octagonal minute track that gives the layout a distinctly mid-period Soviet character. Bold white Roman numerals run all the way around, with "SLAVA" sitting just under the 12 and "26 JEWELS / MADE IN USSR" tucked at the bottom. The hour and minute hands are polished steel with plain white inserts (no luminous treatment), and a thin central seconds hand sweeps quietly across the dial. At three you'll find the day-and-date window, framed in a chromed surround. Sundays appear in red, a small touch that Slava collectors will recognize immediately.

Inside the Case

The engine is the distinctive Slava 2428, a 26-jewel manual-wind mechanical caliber manufactured by the Second Moscow Watch Factory. This movement carries the factory logo on the bridge along with the original "26 Jewels" marking, making it an attractive and easily identifiable example of Slava's higher-grade production.

• Manual-wind mechanical movement, caliber 2428
• 26 jewels
• 18,000 vibrations per hour
• Approximately 46-hour power reserve
• Day and date complication with quick-set pusher at the 2 o'clock position
• Shock-protected balance
• Signed movement bridge with the Second Moscow Watch Factory logo

Case & Specifications

• Case material: Chrome-plated brass
• Caseback: Stainless steel press-fit caseback, numbered 243609
• Crystal: Acrylic
• Diameter: Approximately 39 mm without crown
• Lug-to-lug: Approximately 44 mm
• Thickness: Approximately 10 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm

Bracelet

The watch is fitted with a vintage stainless steel bracelet featuring a double-folding adjustable clasp. It provides a secure fit and complements the overall period-correct appearance of the watch.

Service & Condition Notes

The movement was fully serviced in early June 2026. The work included complete disassembly, careful manual cleaning of all components, inspection of the gear train and escapement, fresh lubrication with appropriate watch oils and greases, reassembly, and final regulation on a timegrapher. The watch is currently running accurately and performing as intended.

Cosmetically, the watch remains in honest vintage condition. There is light wear around some case edges where the chrome plating has thinned over the decades, along with minor surface marks consistent with age. The dial is clean, the printing remains crisp, and the crystal is clear with no significant scratches.

Why This One Is Interesting

The deep navy dial, full Roman numeral layout, documented caseback number 243609, signed 26-jewel Slava movement, and recent professional service make this a particularly appealing example of a classic Soviet day-date watch. It offers authentic period character while remaining fully functional and ready for everyday wear.

What's Included

• The watch, professionally serviced in early June 2026
• Vintage stainless steel bracelet with double-folding adjustable clasp
• No original box or paperwork

Additional photographs, including detailed movement images, are available upon request.