POBEDA 15 Jewels Soviet Wristwatch Appraisal
Category: Wristwatch
Description
This is a vintage POBEDA brand wristwatch, likely from the mid-20th century, possibly the 1950s or 1960s, given the style and the Cyrillic lettering on the dial. The watch features a round case appearing to be made of a base metal with a gold-tone plating, which shows significant wear and loss, particularly around the edges and lugs. The lug design is integrated with the case. The dial is a light gold or champagne color with applied gold-tone Arabic numerals at 1 through 11, and a batonne marker at 12. The hands are simple gold-tone hour and minute hands. There is a sub-second dial located at the 6 o'clock position with smaller Arabic numerals. The dial is marked with "POBEDA" in Cyrillic above the center, and "15 KAMHEЙ Cделано в СССР" (15 Jewels Made in USSR) below the center. The crystal, likely acrylic, shows scratches and some cloudiness. The crown is knurled and appears to be original, made of a similar gold-tone material as the case. The watch is fitted with a dark brown strap with a lizard-like texture. The strap appears worn and possibly cracked in places. The overall condition is well-used with visible signs of age, wear, and plating loss.
Appraisal Report
Based on my visual examination of the provided image of this POBEDA 15 Jewels Soviet wristwatch, I can assess its condition and potential value. The watch appears authentic to the period (likely 1950s-1960s USSR) based on the Cyrillic script, styling, and common POBEDA features such as the sub-second dial. The case shows significant wear to the gold-tone plating, which is a common issue with base metal cases of this era. The dial shows some age but appears relatively clean, with applied markers and numerals. The sub-second dial is present and marked. The crystal is scratched and hazy. The strap is worn. The overall condition is poor to fair due to the significant plating loss and wear. The market for Soviet-era watches like POBEDA is generally affordable, driven by collectors interested in military history, political memorabilia, or vintage mechanical watches on a budget. Comparable POBEDA watches in good condition typically sell in the $30-$70 range. The condition of this specific watch significantly impacts its value negatively. Demand is moderate for POBEDA watches, not high enough to drive up the price for an example in this condition. Its rarity is low, as POBEDA watches were produced in large quantities. Limitations: My assessment of authenticity is based purely on visual cues from the image. A full authentication would require an in-person examination to verify the movement's authenticity and condition, check for replacement parts, and assess the case material and markings more definitively. Provenance documentation, though unlikely for a watch of this value, could provide more historical context. Scientific testing of the case material could confirm the base metal composition and plating thickness if necessary, though this is not cost-effective for a low-value item.
Appraisal Value
$15 - $40