ZIM 2602 Soviet Mechanical Watch USSR 1980s 15 Jewels
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This 1980s ZIM 2602 men's mechanical watch comes from the Kuibyshev Maslennikov Factory, one of the recognizable Soviet-era makers. It is all original and has been serviced, with a full mechanical overhaul completed on June 26, 2026.
The Look
The watch has a clean white dial with Roman numeral hour marking, giving this compact Soviet piece a more formal character than many utilitarian USSR watches of the same period. The dial carries the ZIM logo and the wording Made in USSR, both important visual details for collectors who like their Soviet watches with clear factory identity. Blackened hour and minute hands sit neatly against the pale dial, matched by a black small-seconds hand in the subdial. An acrylic crystal keeps the period-correct feel, while the smooth chrome bezel and tonneau-shaped case give the watch a neat, slightly dressy wrist presence.
Inside the Case
Inside is the hand-wound ZIM caliber 2602, a straightforward Soviet mechanical movement with small seconds. It is the kind of movement collectors appreciate for its simple architecture, honest engineering and serviceable construction.
- Caliber: ZIM 2602
- Jewels: 15
- Beat rate: 18,000 vibrations per hour
- Power reserve: 40 hours
- Function: Small seconds
- Balance shock protection: No
Case and Specifications
- Factory: Kuibyshev Maslennikov Factory, ZIM
- Period: 1980s
- Case shape: Tonneau
- Case material: Brass
- Coating: Chrome
- Bezel: Smooth chrome
- Caseback: Snap back
- Caseback number: 435772
- Crystal: Acrylic
- Diameter: 34 mm without crown
- Lug-to-lug: 40 mm
- Thickness: 10 mm
- Lug width: 18 mm
- Net weight: 57 g
Condition and Service
The case shows small signs of age, including scratches and light wear to the chrome finish, consistent with a vintage watch that has lived a real life. The caseback is in good condition. The white dial also shows minor signs of time, including a small chip near the seconds hand, so the watch keeps its honest vintage character rather than looking over-restored.
The movement has received a full service: complete disassembly, cleaning, ultrasonic washing, reassembly, lubrication and rate adjustment. The watch is all original, with no replaced parts noted in the supplied service information.
Why This One Is Interesting
This ZIM brings together several appealing collector points: the Kuibyshev Maslennikov Factory origin, the 15-jewel caliber 2602 movement, a white Roman-numeral dial with Made in USSR marking, and a recently completed full service. Its 34 mm tonneau case wears compactly, making it a smart choice for collectors who enjoy smaller Soviet mechanical watches with visible period charm.
What's Included
- Watch head
- Spring bars
- No strap
- No box or documents
- No additional accessories
Overview
- Period
- 1980s
- Factory
- Kuibyshev Maslennikov Factory (ZIM)
- Gender
- Men's
Movement
- Movement
- Mechanical (hand-wound)
- Caliber
- 2602
- Jewels
- 15 jewels
- Beat rate (bph)
- 18000
- Lift angle
- 42°
Case size
- Diameter (Ø)
- 34 mm
- Lug-to-lug
- 40 mm
- Thickness
- 10 mm
- Lug width
- 18 mm
- Weight
- 100 g
Case
- Case material
- Brass
- Case finish
- Chrome-plated
- Case shape
- Tonneau
Dial, hands & crystal
- Dial color
- White
- Dial markers
- Roman
- Hands color
- Blackened steel
- Seconds hand color
- Black
- Crystal
- Acrylic
Functions
Condition & service
Condition: Fully serviced
Last serviced: 26.06.2026
Carefully packed and sent with tracking — typically 7–21 business days depending on destination.
Every watch is a genuine Soviet-era original, inspected and (where noted) serviced before it ships.
If it isn't right, return it within 14 days for a refund — just get in touch and we'll sort it out.
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
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