Deadly Games (1983)

Edward Topol and Fridrikh Neznansky's thriller, translated from the Russian Zhurnalist dlya Brezhneva and copyright 1983 by Posev-Verlag and, in English, by Quartet Books, follows an investigation into the disappearance of a journalist, Belkin. Much of the story comes through Belkin's own manuscript, including a section called "The Baku Drug Addicts" about a gang of young thieves who steal to pay for opium and hashish. (Open Library)

Watches

Seiko (unidentified model): In Belkin's manuscript, Sashka Romanov, nicknamed Shakh, works the Baku trams with Sickly Simon and Rafik Gaikazyan. Spotting a Seiko on a man in glasses, he finds it is on a bracelet that cannot be slipped, so the three stage a scuffle on the platform to take it. Off the tram they admire their prize, a real Japanese Seiko worth a hundred roubles at the State Commission store; Sashka later offers it to Tolik Khachmas, then snatches it back. That evening the owner turns out to be manager of the Nizami cinema, and Sashka is arrested. The maker is named; the model is not.

Source text: Then Shakh took the watch out of his pocket and all three of them admired their prize — a real Japanese Seiko. If they were to line up at the State Commission store, they'd make a hundred roubles in half an hour. (Edward Topol and Fridrikh Neznansky, Deadly Games, scan cataloged as Berkley, 1985, p. 39; the theft begins on p. 34 and the owner reappears on p. 51; Internet Archive scan OCR)