Most people don't know a lot about Russian watches. You may never have seen one. And while it's true that Russian watches aren't as well known as Swiss or Japanese watches, their popularity is growing as brands like Vostok, Vostok-Europe and Volmax become more widely available outside the former USSR.

People who own Russian watches tend to be quite fanatical. They love their Russian watches. Instead of buying one, they buy three, six or ten. So what exactly makes Russian watches so special?

First, most Russian watches are inexpensive. Most sell for between $30 and $300. But it's not just the price that people like. Almost all Russian-made wristwatches are mechanical watches. That means they operate with a mainspring and gears, not a battery. There is a certain nostalgic appeal to winding a watch that never goes out of style.

Another factor of course is the design. Russian watches, such as the Aviator and Sturmanskie brands, have a rich history tied to Russian space flight and military achievements. Big, manly military and diver watches are the style defines the Russian watch industry.

Among the most popular brands are Vostok, Vostok-Europe, Maktime, Denissov and Volmax (which makes the Aviator, Sturmanskie and Buran models). A Vostok is often the first Russian watch in a buyer's collection since they have many excellent, rugged, reliable watches for under $100.

Vostok-Europe and Volmax watches cost upwards of $100 or $200 but their watches are modern, stylish and high quality.

Here are a couple things to look for if you decide to buy a Russian watch. First, make sure you buy from an official supplier. You can verify whether the supplier is authorized by checking the manufacturer's website. Most manufacturers will not honor the warranty if you buy from an unauthorized seller.

Also, note that some sellers ship directly from Russia while others may be based in USA, Germany or other countries. Even though some Russian sellers are reputable and offer good customer service, some buyers feel more comfortable making the purchase from within their home country.