The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

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Raketa and Zim models with a chrome or gold-plated, fluted bezel are often referred to as Cheburashka (referring to the character's prominent round ears) or UFO (referring to the fluted flying saucers).

This particular model is equipped with a 2628N movement with a double day-date display. The fluting is, of course, characteristic of these models, here in the form of small lozenges that give a more luminous than radiant appearance, creating an impression of circular motion. The triangles are illuminated in one direction or another depending on the case's position relative to the light. Other features of this watch include the minute track and applied hour markers, large two-tone baton hands, and a bracelet that disappears into the lugless case. Ultimately, the bezel gives a strong presence to the 43mm diameter case. The case back is stainless steel with a six-pronged screw-down closure. The case is 12 mm thick. The lack of lugs and the diamond-patterned bezel make the watch sit on the wrist like a levitating UFO.

The song I would listen to with this watch wouldn't be related to the character from the stop-motion film Cheburashka, but rather to Karlson, the character played by Astrid Lindgren. A vintage advertisement featured the watch on the wrist of this egocentric, pedantic, and gluttonous hero, complete with a self-propelled device beloved by children. Karlson, who lives on the rooftop, is himself a drone in the Stockholm sky, a UFO that intrigues the locals. The song is a cover of "Yellow River" by Christie, with the lyrics changed to "Big Karlson" by the Soviet group Poyushchiye Gitary. It's also the theme song for Joe Dassin's "L'Amérique." In short, a song of dreams, waiting, returning, or departing, depending on the performer. But still a song of wild hope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOCIYm1KXjI

Adjectives: imposing, circular, flying, dreamlike, traveler

Takeoff for the dream

This watch is really fun; they say it's for children, although I'm not so sure, because you buy children watches that are much easier to read. Looking at it, you really have to search for the hands to tell the time; what you see is a rodent staring at you with a happy expression. A rabbit, perhaps, although the ears are more reminiscent of a field mouse or a beaver.

It's an evolution of the teddy bear watch from the Soviet era. The dial was then made of red plastic; today's silver metal suits it quite well. However, what isn't a very positive evolution is the dial itself. Giving the bear a rodent-like appearance certainly makes it a bit cuter, but you can no longer tell what animal it is. And above all, the thin silver hands, meant to match the hour markers and the bear design, make the time illegible. It just goes to show that new versions meant to bring progress are sometimes a real step backward. But the result is still fun.

The movement is a Miyota 2035 quartz. The case back is stainless steel.

The music to listen to with this watch would be the soundtrack from the famous comedy *The Prisoner of the Caucasus*, "A Little Song About Bears."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dExwT_pEr9w

L'Ours mutant

The case is small, designed for young wrists, and measures 33mm in diameter. The atmosphere this watch exudes is calming; finally, a children's watch that isn't red with overpowered superheroes!

It's the perfect excuse to go to bed and tell yourself that everything that's left to do can easily be done tomorrow. A quick glance at your wrist, and yes, it's bedtime, or yes, it's nap time. It's a very useful watch to wear when you're feeling tired and think there's still so much to do before bedtime, when in reality, everything can wait.

The movement is a Miyota 1656M quartz. The case back is stainless steel with a speckled pattern reminiscent of a ladybug, featuring a Luch signature in the center. The strap is 100% leather in two shades of blue: midnight and twilight.

The soundtrack that could accompany this watch would be "Goodnight Little Ones," but for those who have grown up since then, we'll listen to "Goodnight to Those Who Are Going to Bed" by Kino https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRPmZ_ALkmY.5

Adjectives: Soothing, calm, nocturnal, cute, dreamy

Goodnight little ones (and grown-ups)

This reference 4401653 is a true classic from the late 1980s. It features a date display at 6 o'clock in a beautifully rounded 35mm diameter case, 10mm thick. The steel case back is simply snapped on. The movement is a 2614.N with 19 jewels.

This is an "export" version, as the brand name and "Made in USSR" at 6 o'clock are in Latin script. The case is rounded, like a Tupolev aircraft window. The dial is as dark as a night in which the numerals appear like golden train cars between a railway track and a central white circle. Similarly, the gold alpha hands move along the track of this festive night. In my opinion, the two jarring notes, like the blinding beam of a party pooper's torch, are the white date display at 6 o'clock and the Raketa name in white Latin script. I understand that date backgrounds are difficult to adapt, but why put the brand name in white? Gold paint would have been much better, especially since the models for the domestic market used gold Cyrillic letters.

Overall, it's a beautiful little watch with character. Its soundtrack would be something unclassifiable, like the soundtrack to the film "The Party" by Henry Mancini (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n2ZFKG9_U8&t=25s). A party where anything is possible and you don't really know what the rules are.

The party doesn't end

I'm not a feng shui practitioner, quite the opposite, but I'm fascinated by instruments that represent the world we live in. Especially the oldest ones. Like, for example, the Antikythera Mechanism, which is two thousand years old. With the Luo Pan (羅盤), we're looking at an even older instrument, as it's estimated to be around 4,000 years old.
The watch itself is very simple and successful in this respect. It has two wide, red hands, pierced to reveal the underlying Chinese characters. It's very legible, which is what matters most to me. The seconds hand is a central Yin-Yang disc, so it's both prominent and discreet. The movement is a TMI VH31 quartz with a smooth seconds hand, which means the Yin-Yang rotates without any jerking. The case back features this famous Yin-Yang disc in an octagonal shape (a protective shape symbolizing prosperity and eternity). The case is 12mm thick and 40mm in diameter. The crown is positioned at 12 o'clock to maintain the watch's harmony; since it's a quartz movement, this isn't really an issue. The matching black and red leather strap is very comfortable and features quick-release spring bars for easy strap changes or time adjustments. The perfect soundtrack, in my opinion, would be the soundscape of Jean-Michel Jarre's Oxygène, a journey through dimensions unknown to our world. Perhaps the third part in particular. The music was composed nearly fifty years ago but remains timeless. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=C08OhE2e96s
Adjectives: Zen, lucky, cosmic, traditional, harmonious, magical

Positioning in space and time

This Poljot export "Volcan," with its bright blue dial that tinges with purple, dates from the 1970s and is particularly striking thanks to its polished, rounded case. The case measures 42mm in diameter and 10mm in thickness (the dial is 30mm and the crystal 34mm, including the two-millimeter polished flange on each side). Its seamless design evokes a volcano, hence the name. Similarly, its bright blue dial, two-faceted dauphine hands, and three-faceted hour markers all contribute to a bold and eye-catching look.

The movement is a robust and reliable 2609N with 17 jewels. The case back is screw-down. This watch reminds me of Blondie's world, a bit like in the Tissot ad (Tissot used "call me," I think), but let's go with "Heart of Glass" and its "nah nah nah nah... Yeah, riding high on love's true bluish light" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGU_4-5RaxU
It's a watch of contrasts that can be both cold and passionate.



Glass volcano

<p dir="ltr">The Russian watch brand <strong>Raketa</strong>, founded in <strong>1961</strong>, 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.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Beginnings of Watchmaking</h2>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Birth of the Raketa Brand</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In 1961, in homage to the first manned space flight by Yuri Gagarin, the "Raketa" brand (<strong>which means "rocket" in Russian</strong>) was created. This initiative reflects the spirit of innovation and space conquest of the Soviet era.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Expansion et Production</h2>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Post-Soviet Challenges and Renaissance</h2>
<p dir="ltr">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.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Iconic Models</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Among Raketa's emblematic models, we find the "<strong>Polar</strong>", designed for polar explorers with a 24-hour dial, and the "<strong>Ba&iuml;konur</strong>", 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<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/raketa/baikonur"> Raketa Baikonur</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/raketa/avant-garde"> Raketa Avant-Garde</a> or even the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/raketa/polar"> Raketa Polar</a>.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Raketa watch cost?</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The price of Raketa watches evolve and differ depending on the model. <strong>Most cost between 1,600 &euro; and 2,200 &euro; depending on the models and finishes</strong>. An Avant-Garde Raketa costs &euro;1,950, while a &ldquo;Sonar&rdquo; Raketa is priced at &euro;2,000. The second-hand and vintage markets are also an opportunity to find cheaper Soviet-era watches.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h2>
<p dir="ltr">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, <strong>Dialicious owners&rsquo; reviews</strong> are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.</p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated November 2024)</p>

This 1970s model 611291 is classic and utterly simple. It features a 16-jewel caliber 2609NA movement. The round, chrome-plated brass case, type 613, has a snap-on steel case back and measures 34 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness. The dial is white with stylized black numerals and black hands. A dotted minute track is interrupted by the inscription "Made in the USSR" at 6 o'clock. The contrast is excellent, resulting in superb legibility.

What this watch evokes for me in its simplicity are the ghosts of the past, the etched memories we had forgotten in the modern world. The music that accompanies it would be the bird from the series Belle and Sebastian, whether in the original version with its rich text and childlike voice with this magnificent realization of R that we no longer hear so often (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xc-yG06NPq0), or in the modern, more refined version with ZAZ giving pride of place to the piano (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYcXLPrDVEw).

I know the clear mists, the pink snow of early mornings

<p><strong>Atelier Wen</strong> est une marque horlog&egrave;re ind&eacute;pendante qui s'est distingu&eacute;e par son approche novatrice, alliant le riche patrimoine culturel chinois &agrave; une horlogerie de haute qualit&eacute;. Fond&eacute;e par deux passionn&eacute;s de la culture chinoise, Thomas Gronenthal et Robin Tallendier, la marque vise &agrave; red&eacute;finir la perception des montres "Made in China" en mettant en avant l'excellence artisanale du pays.</p>
<h3><strong>Philosophie et Mission</strong></h3>
<p>L'objectif principal d'Atelier Wen est de c&eacute;l&eacute;brer l'artisanat chinois en cr&eacute;ant des montres qui refl&egrave;tent l'h&eacute;ritage culturel et l'expertise technique du pays. La marque cherche &agrave; offrir des garde-temps de luxe qui int&egrave;grent des &eacute;l&eacute;ments de design chinois authentiques, tout en maintenant des standards &eacute;lev&eacute;s de qualit&eacute; et de pr&eacute;cision.</p>
<h3><strong>Collections Principales</strong></h3>
<p><em>1. Porcelain Odyssey</em></p>
<p>La collection "Porcelain Odyssey" est la premi&egrave;re s&eacute;rie de montres lanc&eacute;e par Atelier Wen. Ces montres se distinguent par leurs <strong>cadrans en porcelaine v&eacute;ritable</strong>, fabriqu&eacute;s selon des techniques traditionnelles chinoises. Les mod&egrave;les "Ji" et "Hao" pr&eacute;sentent des motifs inspir&eacute;s de l'art chinois, offrant une esth&eacute;tique unique qui rend hommage &agrave; la riche histoire du pays.</p>
<p><em>2. Perception</em></p>
<p>La collection "Perception" incarne l'engagement d'Atelier Wen envers l'horlogerie de luxe. Ces montres arborent des cadrans guilloch&eacute;s r&eacute;alis&eacute;s &agrave; la main par le ma&icirc;tre artisan Cheng Yucai, <strong>le seul ma&icirc;tre guillocheur de Chine</strong>. Chaque cadran n&eacute;cessite environ huit heures de travail minutieux sur des machines &agrave; guillocher sp&eacute;cialement con&ccedil;ues. Les mod&egrave;les de cette collection sont disponibles en trois couleurs de cadran : bleu clair ("Piao"), saumon ("Xia") et gris ("Ying").</p>
<h3><strong>Caract&eacute;ristiques Techniques</strong></h3>
<p>Les montres Atelier Wen sont con&ccedil;ues avec une attention particuli&egrave;re aux d&eacute;tails et &agrave; la qualit&eacute;. Les bo&icirc;tiers, souvent en acier inoxydable 904L, offrent une r&eacute;sistance accrue &agrave; la corrosion et une finition polie exceptionnelle. Les dimensions typiques incluent <strong>un diam&egrave;tre de 40 mm, une &eacute;paisseur de 9,4 mm</strong> et une distance de corne &agrave; corne de 47 mm, assurant un port confortable sur une vari&eacute;t&eacute; de poignets. Les montres sont &eacute;galement &eacute;tanches jusqu'&agrave; 100 m&egrave;tres, ce qui les rend polyvalentes pour une utilisation quotidienne.</p>
<h3><strong>Mouvement</strong></h3>
<p>Les garde-temps de la collection "Perception" sont &eacute;quip&eacute;s du <strong>calibre automatique SL1588, fabriqu&eacute; par Dandong</strong>. Ce mouvement bat &agrave; une fr&eacute;quence de 28 800 alternances par heure et offre une r&eacute;serve de marche d'environ 41 heures. Bien que relativement nouveau sur le march&eacute;, ce calibre a &eacute;t&eacute; choisi pour sa fiabilit&eacute; et sa pr&eacute;cision, refl&eacute;tant l'engagement d'Atelier Wen envers l'innovation et la qualit&eacute;.</p>
<h3><strong>Bracelet et Confort</strong></h3>
<p>Les montres Atelier Wen sont dot&eacute;es de bracelets int&eacute;gr&eacute;s en acier inoxydable, con&ccedil;us pour assurer <strong>une transition fluide entre le bo&icirc;tier et le bracelet</strong>. Les maillons sont finement chanfrein&eacute;s et polis, offrant une esth&eacute;tique luxueuse et un confort optimal. La version 2.0 de la collection "Perception" a introduit des am&eacute;liorations notables, notamment des chanfreins faits main sur tous les maillons internes, renfor&ccedil;ant ainsi l'apparence haut de gamme du bracelet.</p>
<h3><strong>Collaborations et &Eacute;ditions Limit&eacute;es</strong></h3>
<p>Atelier Wen a &eacute;galement explor&eacute; des collaborations pour offrir <strong>des &eacute;ditions limit&eacute;es uniques</strong>. Par exemple, en partenariat avec Revolution, la marque a lanc&eacute; des mod&egrave;les en titane avec des cadrans jaunes et rouges vibrants, chacun limit&eacute; &agrave; 100 pi&egrave;ces. Une autre collaboration notable inclut une &eacute;dition sp&eacute;ciale avec Wristcheck et seconde/seconde/, pr&eacute;sentant un design ludique et innovant qui refl&egrave;te l'engagement de la marque envers la cr&eacute;ativit&eacute; et l'artisanat.</p>
<h3><strong>R&eacute;ception et Impact</strong></h3>
<p>Depuis son lancement, Atelier Wen a re&ccedil;u des &eacute;loges pour sa capacit&eacute; &agrave; fusionner l'esth&eacute;tique chinoise traditionnelle avec l'horlogerie moderne. La marque a r&eacute;ussi &agrave; <strong>changer la perception du "Made in China"</strong> en d&eacute;montrant que l'artisanat chinois peut rivaliser avec les standards internationaux les plus &eacute;lev&eacute;s. Les critiques ont salu&eacute; la qualit&eacute; de fabrication, le design distinctif et l'approche innovante de la marque.</p>
<h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3>
<p>Atelier Wen repr&eacute;sente une <strong>fusion r&eacute;ussie de la tradition culturelle chinoise et de l'horlogerie contemporaine</strong>. En mettant l'accent sur l'artisanat, la qualit&eacute; et le design, la marque a &eacute;tabli une identit&eacute; unique dans le monde de l'horlogerie de luxe. Que ce soit &agrave; travers des cadrans en porcelaine d&eacute;licatement fabriqu&eacute;s ou des motifs guilloch&eacute;s complexes, chaque montre raconte une histoire qui honore le riche h&eacute;ritage de la Chine tout en r&eacute;pondant aux attentes des passionn&eacute;s de montres modernes.</p>
<p>Inspirez-vous des <strong>avis clients Dialicious</strong> pour choisir la montre qui vous ressemble.</p>
<p>(Mise &agrave; jour Mars 2025)</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Atelier Wen</strong> is an independent watch brand that has distinguished itself by its innovative approach, combining China's rich cultural heritage with high-quality watchmaking. Founded by <strong>two enthusiasts of Chinese culture</strong>, Thomas Gronenthal and Robin Tallendier, the brand aims to redefine the perception of "Made in China" watches by highlighting the country's artisanal excellence.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Philosophy and Mission</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen's main goal is to celebrate Chinese craftsmanship by creating watches that reflect the <strong>country's cultural heritage </strong>and technical expertise. The brand seeks to offer luxury timepieces that incorporate authentic Chinese design elements, while maintaining high standards of quality and precision.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Main Collections</h3>
<p dir="ltr">1. Porcelain Odyssey</p>
<p dir="ltr">The &ldquo;Porcelain Odyssey&rdquo; collection is the first series of watches launched by Atelier Wen. These watches are distinguished by their <strong>real porcelain dials</strong>, made using traditional Chinese techniques. The "Ji" and "Hao" models feature designs inspired by Chinese art, offering a unique aesthetic that pays homage to the country's rich history.</p>
<p dir="ltr">2. Perception</p>
<p dir="ltr">The &ldquo;Perception&rdquo; collection embodies Atelier Wen&rsquo;s commitment to luxury watchmaking. These watches feature guilloche dials handcrafted by master craftsman Cheng Yucai, <strong>the only master guilloche maker in China</strong>. Each dial requires approximately eight hours of painstaking work on specially designed guilloche machines. The models in this collection are available in three dial colors: light blue (&ldquo;Piao&rdquo;), salmon (&ldquo;Xia&rdquo;) and gray (&ldquo;Ying&rdquo;).</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Technical Characteristics</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen watches are designed with attention to detail and quality. Housings, often made from 904L stainless steel, offer increased corrosion resistance and an exceptional polished finish. Typical dimensions include a diameter of <strong>40mm, a thickness of 9.4mm and a lug-to-lug distance</strong> of 47mm, ensuring comfortable wear on a variety of wrists. The watches are also water resistant up to 100 meters, making them versatile for everyday use.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Movement</h3>
<p dir="ltr">The timepieces from the &ldquo;Perception&rdquo; collection are equipped with the automatic <strong>caliber SL1588, manufactured by Dandong</strong>. This movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of approximately 41 hours. Although relatively new to the market, this caliber was chosen for its reliability and precision, reflecting Atelier Wen's commitment to innovation and quality.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Bracelet and Confort</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen watches feature integrated stainless steel bracelets, designed to provide <strong>a seamless transition between case and bracelet</strong>. The links are finely chamfered and polished, providing a luxurious aesthetic and optimal comfort. Version 2.0 of the "Perception" collection introduced notable improvements, including hand-crafted chamfers on all internal links, reinforcing the premium appearance of the bracelet.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Collaborations and Limited Editions</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen has also explored collaborations to offer <strong>unique limited editions</strong>. For example, in partnership with Revolution, the brand launched titanium models with vibrant yellow and red dials, each limited to 100 pieces. Another notable collaboration includes a special edition with Wristcheck and seconds /seconde/, featuring a playful and innovative design that reflects the brand's commitment to creativity and craftsmanship.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Reception and Impact</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Since its launch, Atelier Wen has received praise for its ability to fuse traditional Chinese aesthetics with modern watchmaking. The brand has succeeded in <strong>changing the perception of "Made in China"</strong> by demonstrating that Chinese craftsmanship can compete with the highest international standards. Reviewers praised the brand's build quality, distinctive design, and innovative approach.</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>
<p dir="ltr">Atelier Wen represents a successful fusion of Chinese cultural tradition and contemporary watchmaking. With a focus on craftsmanship, quality and design, the brand has established <strong>a unique identity </strong>in the world of luxury watchmaking. Whether through delicately crafted porcelain dials or intricate guilloche patterns, each watch tells a story that honors China's rich heritage while meeting the expectations of modern watch enthusiasts.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Take inspiration from <strong>Dialicious customer reviews </strong>to choose the watch that suits you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated March 2025)</p>

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I know the clear mists, the pink snow of early mornings

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