Juri LevenburgSchiffer books for collectors: Pocket Watches, Stop Watches, Onboard Clock & Chronometers (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

Russian - or in this case more correctly Soviet - wristwatches are a bit of an acquired taste and as a result, there is very little literature available on them. Levenburg's book is an exception, and while far from being comprehensive or definitive, does provide interested readers with something approaching a broad overview.The book covers a short history of some of the manufacturers but is mostly composed of pictures of about 500 Soviet era watches (there is almost nothing of the newer post-Soviet ones) that the author has acquired over the years. Some significant models, such as the Strela chronographs used in the Soviet space program, are not covered but you do get a good overview of the variety on offer.In addition, there is a price guide at the end of the book, which while technically useful at the time of publication, is badly out of date now - the prices are still quoted in Deutschmarks and bear little relation to current values.Overall it is a good introductory source if you are interested in Soviet watchmaking but do not expect the book to be an encyclopaedic volume covering all aspects of the topic.

I am quite desapointed by the book. It is mainly a collection of photos of watches.Explanation on brands are very short.I actually regret buying the book.

As the only known refence book on Russian watches I know of it is very usefull. Slow delivery but arrived in good condition. Russian Wristwatches, Pocket Watches, Stop Watches, on Board Clock and Chronometers (Schiffer books for collectors)

Lots of interesting watches. Husband loves it

Great book about Russian watches. Fast delivery

Not really what I was hoping for. I expected more general overview through all kind of russian factories, more historical development, so all the things that true collector would like to know. Instead you have just a lot of pictures of more or less the same watches in a different design. Just some of the factories are presented.So if you by accident have one of the watches presented in the book - good for you because you have all important information of that watch. If not, this book is just "take a look and forget about it".Of course the book was issued several years ago, so no new production and development of the russian watches could be found here!

Very useful for valueing Russian watches, could show more Russian makes as this book would appear to be more of the editors personal choice.

Juri Levenberg's book attempts to portray itself as a historical reference source relating to the vast range of watches produced by the former USSR. Unfortunately, the contents and range are largely based upon his own private collection and the book therefore takes on more the role of a catalogue to his own interests.That is not to say that the book is not a worthwhile purchase for anyone interested in the history of USSR horology with a few pages set aside for each of the major watch factories and their history.Where this book scores is in presenting an overview of the range of watches available, cataloguing one persons collection, and whetting the appetite for more.Juri has tackled a subject with vast potential and actually managed to achieve a useful book full of pictures and details of some of the more interesting USSR watches. The only real downside is that it can be a very dry read at times.The USSR generally produced low quality watches for the masses, with only the best from the original 1st and 2nd Moscow watch factories having any real merit. Therefore there were many cheaply made watches produced with only the propaganda message on the dial to separate them. Therefore there are a great number of variations to choose from. This book mainly describes the interests of one collector, and therefore is itself somewhat limited to what interested that person when they were building their own personal collection. It is not an exhaustive reference book of all the watches available from the USSR factories over the years, but as a catalogue to this one collection it is still of interest.As a 'pick it up anytime and dive in to discover new snippets' style of bedside reading book - this fails to win me over, but it still has pride of place in the Russian section of my own library.If you are interested in watch collecting and wish to include the former USSR then this should be one of the first books you should buy, but be warned ...although a good book of it's type... it is at times a very 'dry' read indeed, and at other times delivers more than just a passing nod towards the 'anorak' style of reader.