SOVIET Legendary ALARM CLOCK Friendship (Druzhba) with an elephant on the dial

A Soviet mechanical watch has no battery — it runs on a tiny wound spring, just as it did decades ago. Treat it kindly and it will keep good time for many years. Here is how to wind, set and care for yours.

Winding a hand-wound watch

• Wind it off your wrist. Hold the watch in one hand so you do not put sideways stress on the winding stem.
• Turn the crown clockwise (away from you) with your thumb and forefinger, in smooth, steady turns.
• Stop as soon as you feel firm resistance. Do not force that last turn — a fully wound spring stops abruptly, and pushing past it can damage the mainspring.
• A full wind lasts roughly 24–40 hours. Winding once a day, at about the same time, keeps the watch running and accurate.

Automatic (self-winding) models

Some Soviet watches — certain Vostok and Slava models — wind themselves from the motion of your wrist. If one has stopped, give the crown 20–30 gentle turns to get it started, then simply wear it. You cannot over-wind a healthy automatic.

Setting the time & date

• Gently pull the crown out to the setting position and turn it to move the hands. Setting the time forwards (clockwise) is kindest to the movement.
• If your watch has a date, avoid changing it between roughly 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. The date mechanism is engaged during those hours and forcing it can break it — move the hands to mid-morning first, then set the date.
• Push the crown fully back in when you are finished.

Everyday care

• Keep it dry. Vintage watches are not water resistant, even if marked so decades ago. Take it off before washing your hands, swimming or showering.
• Avoid magnets — speakers, phones, laptops and magnetic clasps can magnetise the movement and make it run fast.
• Avoid knocks. Take the watch off for sport or heavy work.
• A vintage movement that keeps time to within about a minute or two a day is running well. Small variation is normal and part of their charm.

Storage & service

When you are not wearing it, store the watch flat in its box, away from heat and moisture. There is no need to keep it fully wound at all times. To keep it healthy, have it professionally serviced every 3–5 years — a clean and fresh lubrication is what lets these watches run, quite literally, for generations.

Look after it and your Soviet Time piece will outlast its battery-powered cousins many times over. If anything ever feels wrong, write to support@soviet-time.com. You can also review our Returns & guarantee. — Igor, your watchmaker