ZIM Cal. 2602 Soviet Watch, 1980s USSR, Serviced
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This ZIM Soviet wristwatch was made by the Kuibyshev Maslennikov Factory in the 1980s, around 1986, and is powered by the mechanical caliber 2602. It has been serviced and regulated, giving collectors a clean, wearable example of a late-Soviet men's watch with all original parts.
The Look
The silver dial has a clear, practical layout with Arabic numerals and a small-seconds display, a classic Soviet arrangement that keeps the face balanced without feeling plain. The dial is signed ZIM and Made in USSR, with blued hands adding a crisp flash of color against the pale metal tone. An acrylic crystal suits the period and gives the watch the softer vintage profile collectors expect from a Soviet daily-wear piece.
Inside the Case
Inside is the hand-wound ZIM caliber 2602, a straightforward 15-jewel mechanical movement from the Kuibyshev Maslennikov Factory. This is the kind of movement Soviet watches are appreciated for: simple, serviceable, and honest in construction.
- Caliber: 2602
- Movement type: Mechanical
- Jewels: 15
- Function: Small seconds
- Factory: Kuibyshev Maslennikov Factory, ZIM
Case and Specifications
- Case material: Brass
- Coating: Chrome
- Caseback: Snap back
- Crystal: Acrylic
- Diameter: 34 mm excluding the crown
- Lug-to-lug: 42 mm
- Thickness: 10 mm
- Lug width: 18 mm
- Weight: 56 g
- Intended fit: Men's
The Strap
The watch comes on a stainless steel ZIM bracelet with a folding adjustable clasp. It suits the case well and keeps the watch in the period-correct Soviet style, giving it a more complete and collectible feel than a generic modern strap.
Condition and Service
The case is in good condition, with no deep scratches or heavy wear noted. The chrome finish presents well, the snap caseback is also in good condition without deep scratches, and the watch retains all original parts.
The silver dial is in good condition with no damage reported. The watch was serviced on July 28, 2026: it was fully disassembled, cleaned, washed in an ultrasonic bath, reassembled, lubricated, and regulated for accuracy on a timegrapher.
Why This One Is Interesting
This example brings together several details collectors look for in a wearable Soviet watch: the ZIM factory signature, the 15-jewel caliber 2602, a silver Arabic-numeral dial with blued hands, and a matching ZIM stainless steel bracelet. Add the recent full service and original condition, and it becomes a practical vintage piece rather than just a display item.
What's Included
- Watch
- ZIM stainless steel bracelet
Overview
- Year
- Circa 1986
- Period
- 1980s
- Factory
- Kuibyshev Maslennikov Factory (ZIM)
- Gender
- Men's
Movement
- Movement
- Mechanical (hand-wound)
- Caliber
- 2602
- Jewels
- 15 jewels
Case size
- Diameter (Ø)
- 34 mm
- Lug-to-lug
- 42 mm
- Thickness
- 10 mm
- Lug width
- 18 mm
- Weight
- 200 g
Case
- Case material
- Brass
- Case finish
- Chrome-plated
Dial, hands & crystal
- Dial color
- Silver
- Dial markers
- Arabic
- Hands color
- Blued steel
- Crystal
- Acrylic
Functions
Condition & service
Condition: Fully serviced
Last serviced: 28.07.2026
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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