Cardi Vostok Chronoscope MVM Sport
Yeah, that name just rolls off the tongue.
All the way from Ukraine comes this odd branch of the Vostok family tree, a part of the family that does not get talked about much and a branch that sort of went nowhere.
Here are a few seller pics:
The case is similar to a Komandirskie in dimensions, about 38mm case diameter, about 41mm lug to lug with 18mm lugs, but this unit is only about 8.5mm thick due to the very flat case back, low profile bezel and flat crystal. It is a traditional brass case with I assume titanium nitride gold coloured coating. Not sure about the bezel material and is probably chrome plated brass.
Notice there is no Cyrillic writing here, these units were destined for Western markets in the post-perestoika age.
It actually looks better in the metal than it does in the pics and I like it more than I thought I would.
Straight out of the package it wound and ran. Off to a good start.
Let's see what Mr Weishi has to say:
Amplitude is ok-ish for an old watch but the beat error is off the charts. Time for a look inside:
The balance spring is wacko and I'm sure there is a fancy Swiss word for this condition but I don't know it yet. This explains why the seller did not post a pic of the internals. No big deal, the watch cost just a little bit more than the postage and I was not expecting much.
A timegrapher won't fix spring coils rubbing against each other 19800 times an hour. Geez, this thing is still running 24 hours later, fast of course, but still running. For the folks out there not familair with balance springs, this is how they should look:
evenly spaced and No Touching, thankyou.
There are sellers on eBay that do refurbished Vostok parts. Maybe all I need is a balance cock with balance wheel and spring which would be cheap. OTOH, if it was such a simple repair why wasn't it done before? Cardi Vostoks do seem to be a subculture within a subculture.
Replacing the whole movement may be in the scope of my limited skills. Heck, I can't even tell if it is a 2409 or a 2414 (non date).
On to the backburner goes this watch.
So many watches, so little time.
On a recent repair video this problem was "fixed":
https://www.youtube.comthis/watch?v=C965Odfw2Ec
This is well beyond what I can do, but perhaps it is in your skill set. I love old Vostoks.
On a recent repair video this problem was "fixed":
https://www.youtube.comthis/watch?v=C965Odfw2Ec
This is well beyond what I can do, but perhaps it is in your skill set. I love old Vostoks.
Thanks for this link. I'll go with the expert's advice and attempt to replace the balance cock/wheel/spring assembly. I think I might manage that without causing too much mayhem. It's always fun seeing experts in action because they make it look so easy.
I have never opened a watch before this year and I am more comfortable with car and bike engine internals.
Now that I have seen a few YT vids on watchmaking I know barely enough to be dangerous.
Hopefully the incoming Vostok Century Time (with 2416b movement) will be in better shape. Yep, another watch that is left field even by Vostok collecting standards.
Maybe take it to a repair shop and ask them Washpoppin with your Cardi V.
(I’m very sorry. I couldn’t help myself.)
Just to complete this thread here is how it looks on simple black leather strap, not bad if I do say so myself. I have a range of 18mm straps and bracelets and this is the only one that made me say "yeah!".