'World Time' 
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'World Time'
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Posted By: Ricky Lee McBroom
Date:
Thursday, 23 March 2006, at 12:21 p.m.
Yes, 'tis a dual
today!
I figured that if customs was gonna confiscate my watch, they might as well get two as one.
Plus, the seller offered an attractive shipping discount on multiple watches. So in addition to the black 'Classic' model, I ordered this one:
The seller's specs:
- Russian 24-hours mechanical watch
- Raketa 2623H movement
- 19 ruby jewels
- Central sweep seconds hand
- 24-hours dial
- Rotating "World Time" dial (bezel ring) indicates the local time in different cities
- Case is 40 mm x 11 mm high, made from stainless alloy neusilber
- Comes with black leather band and box
Very similar to the Classic and, no surprise, since they share the same movement. I note that this one's not touted as a "Limited Edition". Nor as NOS. A regular production Raketa, then? Hmmmm. No mention that the case is chrome coated, either, though I'm about 99.4% sure that it is. He did include case measurements here, where the Classic auction listed none. You don't reckon the intent was to downplay the Classic's diminutive 34mm diameter, do you?
Not sure why I was attracted to this one. I've been living with the KGB version for a couple of weeks and, while I like it just fine, this is really the same watch.
I dunno, I've been meaning to pick up a yellow dial watch for some time, and here was a chance to get an offbeat and somewhat unusual one for a great price ($38 shipped). Or maybe these things are like Lays potato chips - no WIS can buy just one.
It came on a black strap which was identical to the one on the Classic. IOW very low quality and way too short.
Luckily I still had a couple of the generic Chinese bracelets in stock, so I sized it and Dremeled the endpieces and voilà!
Déjà vu all over again! The finish of the case is several notches above that of the Classic, with the chrome being uniformly applied, and no scratches being readily apparent. There are a few, mind you, but you'd never find 'em without a loupe. The dial is slightly crisper than the KGB's though, again, if viewed through a loupe you'll find a few flaws. A very pleasant surprise, compared to the KGB, is that the rotating bezel has a much, much nicer feel. Where the KGB moves almost too freely, this one offers a little resistance, yet it feels smoother, too. Hard to put into words, exactly, but the bezel action feels accurate and precise where the KGB feels just plain sloppy.
Bottom line, this is a watch I would not hesitate to recommend to the average WIS! Not only is the size, at 40mm, more generally acceptable, but the wabi factor is much lower, too. No, you'd never mistake it for a
, but it is quite finely finish in comparison to, say, my
Paratrooper. Or to the Raketa Classic, for that matter.
A big
-Ricky
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