Raketa - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

The Russian watch brand Raketa, founded in 1961, has its roots in the Imperial Manufacture of Peterhof, established in 1721 by Tsar Peter the Great. This factory, located in Saint Petersburg, is the oldest in Russia still in operation. Initially specializing in cutting precious and semi-precious stones, it contributed to iconic works such as the 1924 Lenin Mausoleum and the Kremlin ruby ​​stars.

The Beginnings of Watchmaking

After the Second World War, the Petrodvorets factory diversified its activities by launching into watchmaking. In 1945, it began assembling watches under the brands Zvezda ("Star") and Pobeda ("Victory"), the latter celebrating the victory over Nazi Germany.

Birth of the Raketa Brand

In 1961, in homage to the first manned space flight by Yuri Gagarin, the "Raketa" brand (which means "rocket" in Russian) was created. This initiative reflects the spirit of innovation and space conquest of the Soviet era.

Expansion et Production

At the peak of its production, in the 1970s, the factory employed around 8,000 people and produced up to 5 million mechanical watches per year. These watches were intended for civilians as well as soldiers, cosmonauts, polar explorers and Olympic athletes.

Post-Soviet Challenges and Renaissance

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Raketa went through a difficult period, but was able to revive itself by modernizing its facilities and collaborating with international experts. Today, the manufacture produces its own movements in-house, including hairsprings and escapements, which is rare in the global watch industry.

Iconic Models

Among Raketa's emblematic models, we find the "Polar", designed for polar explorers with a 24-hour dial, and the "Baïkonur", dedicated to cosmonauts. Raketa is one of the few global watch brands to entirely produce its own mechanical movements. Its range includes models such as the Raketa Baikonur, the Raketa Avant-Garde or even the Raketa Polar.

How much does a Raketa watch cost?

The price of Raketa watches evolve and differ depending on the model. Most cost between 1,600 € and 2,200 € depending on the models and finishes. An Avant-Garde Raketa costs €1,950, while a “Sonar” Raketa is priced at €2,000. The second-hand and vintage markets are also an opportunity to find cheaper Soviet-era watches.

Conclusion

Raketa is owned by the Pobeda brand and produces around 7,000 watches per year, all models combined. To choose a Raketa that suits you best, Dialicious owners’ reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.

(Updated November 2024)