Stalingrad Kursk
Let’s be real. Brand name, no matter the product plays an important role in whether someone will purchase or not. The Stalingrad Kursk, a bronze watch made in Hong Kong, has one of those names that I think many will pass on. There is no getting around it, it is a strange choice for a name of a watch brand. But, a name alone does not make a watch, so what is the $600 price getting you? Well, things are not looking up, to be honest. The 45mm Bronze cushion case is not bad at all, but things like PVD bronze coated pieces, a Miyota 8215 Movement and a crown that doesn’t seat properly are not some of the highlights. As always though, I will give you the full rundown, so keep reading for the full details of this bronze anomaly.
Stalingrad Kursk Specifications:
MOVEMENT : Miyota 8 Series Automatic 3 Hands with Date
CASE MATERIAL : Bronze with Stainless Steel Bezel
CASE DIAMETER : 45mm
Case Thickness: 14mm
Lug to Lug: 50mm
Lug Width: 24mm
LENS : Sapphire Crystal
CASE COLOR : Bronze with Antiqued Brass Ring
DIAL COLOR : Green with Swiss Green Luminous Markers
BAND : Brown Genuine Leather Strap
WATER RESISTANCE : 20 ATM
Price $600
Stalingrad Website: https://stalingrad-watches.myshopify.com/collections/kursk
It seems like almost every year I talk about just how many watch brands are currently on the market. This year is no different, even with all that is going on globally, new brands keep emerging. Yes, that gives us countless choices when it comes to buying a watch, but it also continues to muddy the waters as to what is a legit brand with well-made watches. One thing I have noticed with many new watch brands is the name they have chosen. Some of them just make me scratch my head. I understand that so many names are already trademarked or in use and different countries may use a name that does not appeal or have a meaning to me, but global appeal should always be part of a companies plans. I think almost everyone is aware of the Battle of Stalingrad, and I can not for the life of me figure out why any company would name a watch brand as such. Maybe they were just looking at a database of available names and chose this.
The Stalingrad Kursk is a nice looking watch from afar- a bronze cushion case with wire lugs, and large 3D markers brimming with lume compound. It is when you start to look closer and check out some of the details, not to mention the movement, that the price tag and this watch in general, look less and less appealing. The first thing I noticed was the odd shade of the crown and buckle, and once I turned the Kursk over, the case back. These parts are not actual bronze, rather they are bronze PVD coated steel. It retains the look of bronze (to a point), but without having bronze touching your skin. The problem is that bronze will undoubtedly patina unless you polish it constantly, and once it does, the color difference will be even more noticeable.
The California style dial of the Stalingrad Kursk is actually the nicest aspect of this bronze “diver”. With a slate textured dial, a bronze plated date wheel surround, and massive 3D markers. The dial is seemingly well made with clean dial text and precisely applied markers, and even the word bronze is done in a mint color to match the lume blocks, which is a nice touch. The paddle hands do look out of place though, and they remind me of the Marathon Jsar hands with the arrow tips chopped off. Actually, at certain angles, that’s exactly what it looks like, but I think they just forgot to sand the hour and minute hand properly which left some rough edges.
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Dave G
You mentioned the distasteful aspect of the Stalingrad name, but no mention of the Kursk? Kursk was the name of the Russian sub that sank in a disaster in 2000 where all hands (118) were lost. Unless this watch is a tribute to those lost (there’s no indication that there is, is there?), the Kursk name is as odd, if not unfortunate, as Stalingrad.