SPACE & AVIATION
ZIM Chapaev
This is a ZIM (ЗИМ) watch from the late sixties. On the dial a picture of a statue dedicated to Vasily Ivanovich Chapaev (Чапаев). This monument can be found in Samara, a big city situated approximately 1.000 kilometers to the east of Moskou. The monument was placed in 1932 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the October Revolution.
Two pieces were offered to me within a short period of time. One black & white and a colored version. The black & white dial got the rare "open" four, just like the original watch Yuri Gagarin was once wearing.
Below close-up pictures of the colored and black&white dial. Although the colored dial is in better condition it's obvious that the print on the black&white watch is far more detailed. In the right corner of the picture the "closed' (on the left) and "open" (on the right) four. There are many variations of hands and dials.
This watch was worn by Yuri Gagarin throughout his live. There are several pictures known where Gagarin is wearing the watch. The original watch is in the Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow.
Yuri Gagarin in a picture with Fidel Castro wearing his ZIM Chapaev, while Fidel is wearing his two favorite watches (not shown in the picture), a Rolex Daydate and a Submariner
Above on the left side the original watch in the Museum of Cosmaunatics and on the right side the Chapaev Monument in Samara.