This time, I'm reviewing a Spartak, borrowed from Czech watch manufacturer Prim. This model doesn't have any amazing new mechanisms or new materials that warrant a press release, nor does it boast any exceptional craftsmanship, but it is nonetheless an appealing watch. Its appeal lies not in its attempt to "embrace" a vintage feel, but in the fact that it "continues to retain" it. In the words of Hirota Hirota, editor-in-chief of Chronos Japan, who owns the watch, it is "a watch straight out of the 1950s."
Czech Republic "Spartak"
Manual winding (Cal. 94). 17 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 48 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 36 mm). Water resistant to 50 m. 276,000 yen (excluding tax). Photograph by Masanori Yoshie
[First published in July 2020]
Impression Summary
Prim's Spartak is a model that exudes a vintage atmosphere not only in its design, but also in its classically constructed hand-wound movement, dial manufacturing method, and operation feel. Its compact 36mm case, by modern standards, allows you to enjoy the 25.6mm diameter movement through the transparent case back, which is also highly rated.
In terms of performance, it has modern specs such as a power reserve of approximately 48 hours, a hacking function, and 50m water resistance, making it a valuable watch for those who want to enjoy the feel of a vintage watch while also looking for casual everyday wear.
If there are any points that might detract from the vintage feel, they would be that the case is a little thick, although it doesn't affect the wearability, and that the vibration frequency is 21,600 vph instead of 18,000 vph, but these are unlikely to be points that would detract from the watch.
What attracts watch enthusiasts to vintage watches?
What is it about vintage watches that attracts watch enthusiasts? Perhaps it's the large movements relative to the case diameter, the large number of hand-wound models, or the compact, simple designs.
On the other hand, if we think about what people find negative, there are factors such as the fact that there are few models with transparent backs, which makes it difficult to enjoy the movement, future maintenance, whether the water resistance is being maintained, and even wear and tear on the movement.
If your thoughts about vintage watches match the positive and negative aspects listed above, then the Prim Spartak is the one for you. It has the structure and feel you'd call it a "vintage watch you can buy new," and it has the specs to eliminate any concerns you might have about owning a vintage watch.
About Purim "Spartak"
Founded in 1949, Prim is a leading Czech Republic manufacturer (the brand name was registered as a trademark in 57). The brand name means "neat and tidy." Its headquarters and factory are located in Nové Mesto nad Metji, a town near the Polish border, where the company manufactures and assembles movements, cases, dials, and hands. Prim's watches are also notable for their use of Czech-made "Bohemian sapphire crystal" for the crystal. As the "CZECH MADE" inscription on the dial suggests, the balance spring is sourced from Germany, and the mainspring, anchor, and Incabloc are sourced from Switzerland, but all other movement-related parts are manufactured in-house.
Furthermore, the company developed and manufactured its own movements from 1965 until around 90, after which it temporarily stopped production. It was revived in 2009 when it began producing the Spartak, which is equipped with the manual-winding movement Cal. 94. Therefore, for Prim, the Spartak can be said to be a symbol of the company's revival as a manufacture.
The Cal. 94 movement used in the Spartak is hand-wound, with a vibration rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour, 17 jewels, and a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. The movement has a diameter of 25.6 mm and a thickness of 5.0 mm, which makes it larger and thicker than the Peuseau 7001 (now the ETA 7001, with a diameter of 23.3 mm, a thickness of 2.5 mm, and a small second hand), which shares a similar component layout, and it features a large plate with a Glashütte aesthetic.
Tracing the history of this movement, we find that Prim's first in-house movement, Cal. 50, released in 1965, was based on the French LIP R25-3 (25 refers to a 25mm diameter, and it is a small seconds movement with a divided plate). Since there are similarities in size and component arrangement between the R25-3 and Cal. 94, it can be inferred that Prim has independently developed Cal. 50.
The movement has a nice Geneva finish and blued screws, and while the minimal chamfering and lack of finish on the main plate are understandable given the cost, it's worth enjoying a large, thick manual-winding movement for a 36mm case at this price.
For Prim, the Spartak is a symbol of revival. The model name, which means "the people," is positioned as a flagship model. While there are models introduced in Japan that are more expensive than the Spartak (such as the vintage diver's model "Orlik"), the fact that the Spartak is still designated as a flagship model shows the strength of the brand's attachment to the brand.
