I completely adore how extremely bizarre this watch is. Produced and designed in Russia by the standard Moscow-based model Slava, that is one model of the limited-edition Slava Russian Roulette (AKA “RUssian RUlette”). The magnificence of the product is that regardless that its design and story are distinctive, the idea may be very easy. That is what I like about all good Russian concepts; they don’t circumlocute the problem. Carrying this watch, you may play a protected model of Russian Roulette, an odd and lethal playing recreation.
The “Russian Roulette complication” execution is superb. The watch has two mechanical options that, collectively, mean you can play the sport. First and most essential is a caseback that spins (not related to the caseback, which lets you spin it whereas sporting it). This center ring within the case is related to magnets, which solidly maintain the ring in place when it isn’t spinning by itself momentum. This motion may be very pleasing, and it will be an trustworthy assertion to counsel main worth of the watch is in its means to be a wearable fidget spinner.
In case you take the watch off your wrist and look at the caseback, you may see the place of the one “bullet” within the six-round “chamber” seen via the sapphire crystal caseback. The bullet again has the initials and beginning yr of a Russian entertainer who impressed the thought for the watch with Slava. (Extra on him a bit later.) On the dial of the watch is a window at 12 o’clock with blued steel diaphragm shutters. A pusher on the highest of the watch case covers the diaphragm and divulges both a clean area (you’re protected), or a cranium and crossbones motif (you’re lifeless, the bullet is behind the window). By spinning the barrel in the course of the case, then viewing inside the dial window, one can play Russian Roulette (safely).
Slava debuted the Russian Roulette watch in 4 aesthetic variations. Actually, the one variations are the dial and case colours. This principally polished metal reference 1900201/300-NH05 Russian Roulette mannequin is definitely probably the most conservative of the bunch. The case is waterproof to 100 meters and is 47mm-wide. It’s about 17mm-thick and has a lug-to-lug distance of about 50mm. Given its measurement and bulk, the Russian Roulette watch is remarkably wearable, although it does have a really particular design that may attraction to some, and be predictably odd to others.
Given the distinctive mechanism, that is amongst Slava’s costlier collector’s-theme watches, however most Slava watches are lower-priced. The frilly case design consists of laser-etched decor on the perimeters and lugs of the case, in addition to a wealthy aid dial which, in a single fell swoop, celebrates weapons, Russian Roulette, American biker tradition, and catacombs. Who higher to plot such a design than a well-liked Russian actor, author, and priest!
They name it a “killer novelty.” The Russian Roulette watch was debuted as a collaboration between Slava and Mr. Ivan Ivanovich Okhlobystin. He isn’t very well-known within the West, however he has been in over a dozen films for the reason that early 1990s and has additionally written a couple of movies. Within the 1990s, he apparently “withdrew to a monastery” and have become a Russian Orthodox priest. In round 2010, he voluntarily gave up his non secular profession and returned to leisure. The Russian Roulette watch is seemingly the timepiece wearable for him. Maybe for individuals who know his work or character effectively, this connection is smart. Not understanding Ivanovich’s work, I’m capable of utterly interdependently admire the enjoyable little toy that Slava was capable of provide you with.
Contained in the watch is Japanese motion — regardless that another Slava watches comprise Russian-made mechanical actions — a Seiko Devices caliber NH05 computerized motion. It operates at 3Hz and has about 30 hours of energy reserve. That is an deliberately small motion as a result of it must take up a comparatively restricted area contained in the case given the options associated to the Russian Roulette parts.
Connected to the watch is a leather-based strap, which has steel cap end-links that add to the macho type of the watch. I do have one gripe with the strap, and that’s the incontrovertible fact that placing the surplus strap within the first loop on the alternative strap is just too difficult given the loops are each a bit too tight and likewise secured in place. Machismo is actually what this timepiece is all about, and additionally it is an idea notable for its reputation amongst males in Russia (probably the most well-known ones additionally included). Slava made a really macho watch that can be a byproduct of Russian tradition. It celebrates a historic Russian watchmaker, and it additionally performs to the humorousness and pursuits of not less than one specific aspect of Russian tradition. In that regard, the Slava Russian Roulette is a really clear and unadulterated execution of a theme — in different phrases, good wearable mechanical artwork.
Slava might have accomplished it in a extra targeted method, however it isn’t the primary to create a Russian Roulette-themed watch. That honor goes to Mr. Yvan Arpa, who explored the theme of Russian Roulette and bullets in his numerous Artya Son Of A Gun assortment (aBlogtoWatch hands-on right here) watches. Admittedly, Artya offered a lot of the Son Of A Gun watches to Russian clients.
The urge for food for this grizzly gun recreation seems to be alive and effectively. For what it’s price, the watch is well-done, the sport mechanism feels refined, and the general final result is that Slava has simply entered a robust contender for attraction within the really quite giant “skull-themed” watches class. And in contrast to most cranium watches, this one comes with a built-in tension-releasing toy. Worth for the restricted version (of 500 items per case) Slava Russian Roulette is 17,376.74 Russian Rubles (or about $2,655 USD). Study extra or order on the Slava watches web site right here.
