From this website, we would like to pay a small tribute to the Soviet/Russian watch brand ZiM, whixh is not widely appreciated among Soviet/Russian collectors.
The ZiM factory was established in Samara (previously named as Kúibyshev). The operation of the factory began in 1909 and mainly used to produce military parts o components, specifically the production of metal tubes for projectiles and cannons. The number of personnels working in the factory was very large, so a population center called the “city of the workers” was created.
After the First World War, the industrial production was shifting focus to gear towars peaceful purposes, although it soon stopped. In year 1923, the plant was reopened and named after first chairman of the Samara City Council -Maslennikov . The name ZiM corresponds to the abbreviation of “Factory named after Maslennikov ” (ЗиМ – Заводе имени Масленникова)
During the Second World War, the factory continued to make military products and it is also in the 40s when it began to produce watches, although some authors qualify that they may have started to be manufactured in 1937. Firstly it manufactured pocket watches and from the 1950s wristwatches, uninterruptedly until 2002.
From year1959 onwards, the factory also manufactured electronic instruments, medical equipment, sewing machines, electric motors, products for the automotive industry. In other words, ZiM became a kind of industrial conglomerate.
The ZiM factory also had its own construction team, which was responsible for building the large factory canteen, playgrounds, industrial buildings and sports facilities. There were bus lines and trains which stopped at the complex around the factory.
In year 1991, after the dissolution of the USSR, the plant went bankrupt. It was more or less survived by selling part of its estate until 1998, but finally disappeared in 2006.
To conclude this introduction, we would point out that the ZiM watches (and the other ZiM products) were especially loved by the Russian population, even though they were simple, They were appreciated for being “genuinely their own” and considered as product for the people.
The photographs that we include in this post serve as a tribute to this deceased company and watch brand.
GRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE SAMARA FACTORY
We are going to show you the importance of the ZiM factory and what it became after the cessation of its activity. These images will show the before and after of its sunset.
Here we have a picture of the manufacture of watches at the Maslennikov plant, with the light coming through the large windows. Next to it, we can compare the glorious period with what remains today.
Source: https://seleste-rusa.livejournal.com/1045248.html
In the following old image you can see the façade of the canteen where the workers used to have meal andthe photo next to is the recent condition which is vaguely alive.
Source: https://seleste-rusa.livejournal.com/1045248.html
Below we can see an aerial view of the factory canteen building, built in 1930-32, next to a photograph from the mid-90s, showing its poor condition with part of the roof completely collapsed.
Source: https://seleste-rusa.livejournal.com/1045248.html
However, in 1998-99, an ambitious reconstruction project was carried out to prevent the loss of this magnificent architectural heritage. Here you can find the details of the reconstruction. In the photos below we can see the final result, along with a model of the project.
The Calibers
As a general rule, each Soviet watch factory was assigned to manufacture specific calibers.
Before World War II, to modernize Soviet Union watch industry, the state purchased machineries and materials to produce watches from French brand “LIP”, thus saving that watches company from bankruptcy. With the support of French engineers, the state managed to set up the Penza Watch Factory to produce Pobeda watches with 2602 caliber, to symbolize the victory of World War II.
When the production of 2602 caliber was standardized, the technology and knowledge were transferred to other factories. Thus, as we have already seen, the ZiM factory which had produced pocket watches in the past and in year 1951, it began to manufacture wristwatches with the calibers of the 26XX series.
We should also not forget that ZiM was a pioneer in the assembly of digital watches. But before we get to this much more advanced phase in its history, let’s take a closer look at the calibers that were manufactured at ZiM, as well as their main characters and features.
Let’s start with the caliberZiM/Lip 43.2 that was used in pocket watches like the one we can see in the image below.
The development of 26XX calibers is based on LIP R26 caliber,. The bulk of its production was focused on calibers 2602 and 2608. These calibers, as well as some of their variants, served to completely renovate the Soviet watch industry. Developed on the basis of the LIP 26 calibre, the calibers of the 26XX series were used in the manufacture of what was perhaps the most representative brand of this post-war period, Pobeda.
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Although Pobeda watches were manufactured in ZiM Samara, they were also marked as ZiM especially after standardization of Soviet watch factories’ brand name in 1960s. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, we are going to keep examining the calibers.
Caliber 2062 has the following characteristics – manual winding, 15 jewels, with sub seconds around 6 o’clock position and the absence of crash protection on the balance. The design and technical details of the Zim 2602 can be seen in the images below –
Caliber 2608
Caliber 2608 is a 15 jewels model with central seconds hand but again without anti-shock protection. In the following images we can see that the bridge protrudes a little more as it has the differentiating feature of having a central seconds.
In the following image we can see the two calibers side by side. The caliber 2608 on the left and the caliber 2602 on the right. Reader may notice the different height of the bridge and the great difference in the depth of the back lids to cover mechanism. Both early calibers have the ornamental “Côtes de Genève”, the beautiful decoration was later removed due to the need of mass production.
Here we can see a specimen of the caliber 2602 without any decoration which is cheaper and easier to produce.
There is ZiM watch with calendar (date wheel) which is known as 2604. However it was not mass produced, more likely due to the lack of reliability.
Image of ZiM 2604 can be seen below
ZiM also used other types of calibers in its watches, but in a more punctual way, such as the Raketa caliber 2609 HA that the reader can see below.
And a variant of it, with Raketa caliber 2628 H, wich has day date function as seen in the image below.
Image courtesy of Mr. Lee Chin Sheng.
As we pointed out before, ZiM watch factory has manufactures millions of the millions of watches between year 1950 to year 2002, and mostly incorporated the old 2602 and 2608 calibers.
It is also worth mentioning that, in early 70s, ZiM assembled and produced digital modules, namely the B6-02 and some of its variants. In the image below we can see the 3049 model and a later one with the same module, but which incorporated light. You can find much more information about the digital evolution of Soviet watches here.
Sphere Designs
Previously we have gone through the history of the Maslennikov factory, the evolution of its unique building and the type of calibers used. We will continue with our humble particular tribute, now focused on the brand’s designs.
Given the variety of existing models, it would be convenient to make a typology of them based on aesthetic and temporal references of production, also to point out that all the models that shown in this article are mainly from my personal collection, except for those stated otherwise. At the end of the article, reader will find a series of reference catalogues for those who wish to refer and study. We should point out that many of the watches do not appear in the watch catalogues that are currently available.
Having said that, we are going to break down the different types of models into: early, geometric, geometric-pairs, commemorative, and colorful.
Early ZiM
The first wristwatches made by ZiM were small in size, such as the well-known ZiM Chapaev, famous and coveted for its beauty and for being Yuri Gagarin’s favorite. The Chapaev model has one of the iconic design in Soviet watchmaking.
The following models were built with aluminum cases, which was quite unusual in Soviet industry at the time. Below we show the ZiM 2602/064016 (left, or higher on mobile) and the ZiM 2608/021008.
Geometric motifs
In our opinion, the manufacture and development of this group corresponds to the best period of the ZiM factory, which happened between mid -60s to the early 80s. Later we are going to examine profusion of such watches in details..
From the 80s onwards, the quality was lost both in the finishing of the mechanisms (as we saw above) aswell as the designs . Perhaps that is why they have earned the unfair reputation of being poorly finished and crude watches, but we will see that it was not always like this. It is important to note that some models are signed by ZiM and Pobeda, as both were manufactured simultaneously at the ZiM factory in Samara
In the image below we can see the models 2608/181026-181024-171021. These three dials also have a textured surface, as well as geometric and sectoral motifs. The diameter of the crownless case is about 34 mm without measuring the crown. The materials of the watch cases were , chrome-plated with poor quality. Generally these watches suffer a great deal of wear and corrosion over time.
The following models correspond to 2608/181079-xxx-141019-xxx. The XXX reflect models that are not found in known catalogs to date.
If we look closely at these models we can better appreciate the design and great finishing of their dials, and too bad that defects caused by corrosion in the poor chrome-plated case.
Here are some other individual examples that show the beauty and creativity that the factory put into the manufacture of its dials. Models from top to bottom ZiM 2602 /XXXXXX, ZiM 2608/171057 and ZiM 2602/064016.
Paired Geometric Motifs
As stated before, ZiM and some Pobedas were both made in the Samara factory, sharing the same design.
Although it is not a proven theory, we do speculate that the ZiM was destined for the local market and those of the Pobeda brand for people with greater economic resources and for the export market.
The following collection shows the pair of watches with same design but with either ZiM or Pobeda brand. In most of the ZiM we find the Cyrillic words “сделано B CCCP”, while in the Pobedas we see “MADE IN USSR”. A good example of these can be found in the images below.
These two models do not appear in catalogs.
Below is another pair with peralted numerals , which also do not appear in ZiM’s catalogs.
On model 2602/161062, the textured dial shows USSR and CCCP, respectively.
Another likeable pair, with the smooth dials dials on the 2608/171029.
And exactly the same thing happens on the 2608/171039 model, with a central seconds hand and geometric motifs on the dial.
To finish this section we want to show you a model that does not appear in the catalogs either. Some colleagues whom we have been able to consult stated that the designs of certain models were more likely designed by external designers, giveb taht it has more artistic creation.
According to our own preference , and particular taste, we consider that all the geometric spheres of this period are especially beautiful, because of how clean, simple and balanced in their design and execution. We would really like to find out who, or what studio, might have designed them. Perhaps one day this documentation will come to light.
ZiM Commemoratives
ZiM watches were very popular among Soviet Union population, reader can find the great profusion of patriotic and commemorative themes on their dial designs. Let’s look the following examples, here we have two watches with the theme of the cosmonaut and the “soaring to the sky” rocket.
And of course, there are numerous watches with the anniversary celebration for the birth of the Soviet Union and the commemoration of the victory in World War II. In the image below, from left to right: ZiM Aurora Cruiser 1922-1982 – 60th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, Novorossiysk city hero, Militiaman 1945-1975 – 30th anniversary of the victory of World War II, and 1945-1985 Moscow eternal flame.
ZiM with hermetic case design , and 30th anniversary WWII Victory theme
ZiM Kúibyshev town foundation.
https://urss.watch/2020/12/20/zim-kouibychev-1586-1986
ZiM Colorists
As a collectors, We have always been fascinated by the profusion of colors that were applied on many different specimens. Here are some examples of these watches.
We will end this section by showing two examples of Arabic numerals produced by Mid Volga Branch, part of the Russian-German company “Optim-Maveg” which was partner of ZiM.
In case anyone wants to see more models not exhibited in this article , or want to see the more enlarged watches to observe their details, I leave you this link to the bulk of my particular collection.
ZiM’s relationship with the avant-garde
In this section we are going to look at the possible connection between geometric sphere designs and constructivism. We would like to point out that we have not found a bibliography, nor other articles by colleagues that talk about the subject, nor design files from the ZiM factory itself.
Following clear aesthetic criteria and using the method of watches sampling, we would dare to say that there is a clear relationship in the designs of watch dials created with geometric and structural motifs, from the 1960s to the 1980s, which can be related to the design language of constructivism ant the Russian Avant-Garde.
Broadly speaking, constructivism was an artistic movement that was born at the same time as the Russian Revolution . It was characterized by being an artistic trending that was fled from museums, and sought to reach the common citizen. The artistic movement itself was massive and spread across various fields such as engineering, architecture, posters, photography with poor materials, pure geometric lines and simplicity.
Varvara Stepanova, design for sportswear, 1923.
The main postulates of constructivism can be summarized as:
The representatives of the movement do not see their works as “Art” in the past. The technique and the process to make the product are of great importance by focusing on three-dimensional, sculpture, architecture and industrial design. It is associated with industrial production and its compositions are mathematically constructed.
The artists of this movement dedicated themselves to the design of posters, fashion, typography, photography, interior architecture, propaganda, illustrations, etc.
The work communicates with the space that surrounds or penetrates it. The simultaneity of space, time and light is valued. It consists of elements (often transparent) of geometric, linear and flat shapes, and emphasizes the abstract, yet related to industry and technology.
One of the greatest exponents of this movement was Aleksandr Mikhailovich Rodchenko, born in year 1891 in St. Petersburg, he was a Russian painter, sculptor, designer, and photographer dedicated to the constructivist movement, and can possibly be considered as its leader. In year 1956, he pased away in Moscow.
One of his creation can be seen in the image below, this advertising poster back in year 1923 with the text “человек только с часами. только часы Mозера. Mозер только у гум”, and which is known as “a man must have a watch”. The exact translation reads: “The person with only a watch. Just a Moser watch. Moser only in GUM.” The latter refers to a famous department store in Moscow.
Now we have the perfect cocktail. How easy it is to see that the Avant-Garde movement was put at the service of watch design as far as dials and cases are concerned. Behind our horological addiction, there is a whole school of art to be learned and understood, which creates small art piece for people that can be seen and felt on their wrist.
Remember the almost abstract geometric motifs, architectural shapes, and the lack of color variation discussed above.
Anyway, let’s examine the Russian Avant-Garde movemeny , or constructivism, and compare examples of different artistic supports and diverse creators with some of the designs of the ZiM spheres.
Remember the almost abstract geometric motifs, architectural shapes, and the lack of color variety discussed above.
In the image below we see the display of a box of sweets from the famous Кондитерская Фабрика “Красной Октябр”, the chocolate factory and confectionery “Red October”. The chocolate bars with the image of “Alenka” and the tale of the three bears. The creative use of the line and designs is clearly seen in the watch below.
Zim hermetic over a Russian textil background created by designer L.S Popova in year 1924, above
Next we see the plan of the Maslennikov factory canteen in the shape of the hammer and sickle, which we saw at the beginning of this article, the work of the architect Ekaterina Maximova, and built arounf year 1930-1932.
In the following image we see a photograph ofAleksandr Rodchenko.
Here we see an architectural model of a constructivist staircase.
The aesthetic relationship between constructivism and other Soviet watch brands is also evident. Let’s look at some examples with Raketa spheres.
The background images correspond to “Construction Drawing” from year 1920-1921 and “Principles for the Organization of Work” from year 1925, respectively.
In the following image we compare a sphere with “Painting”, a work by the Hungarian painterMoholy-Nagy.
And finally, we see spheres that seems to share inspiration with the building of the Druzbha Sanatorium.
Although we do not have any document to certify these aesthetic relationships, the comparative method allows us to find many similarities in their conceptions and aesthetic arguments, without forgetting the functional aspect of the watch itself. that explains how influential the Avant-Garde movement was. We invite readers to study and draw their own conclusions.
Finally, we attach the links to the catalogs promised above: Catalog circa 1970, Catalog 1983 and Catalog 1987 (courtesy of Mr. Lee Ching Sheng) and the complete collection of my watches.
Thanks
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To my dear family, for all the time stolen by this hobby. To all of us who are suffering from this viral epidemic, out of solidarity.
To Mr. Lee Chin Sheng, for his selfless technical cooperation, in finding watches, and in reviewing texts.
To Miquel Ángel Cladera, for being a great historian and disseminator of Russian watchmaking in particular and for offering the opportunity for this article to see the light of day in Spanish language, firstly in his website.
To several sellers, who, knowing of my fondness for ZiM, have been looking out for me and reserving models of watches, which without their support would have impossible to find.