Raketa is a historic Russian watch brand manufactured by the Petrodvorets Watch Factory in Saint Petersburg, an institution founded by Peter the Great in 1721. While the factory has centuries of heritage in stone carving and precision components, the Raketa brand was officially launched in 1961 to honor Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering flight into outer space. Raketa is distinguished as one of the few watchmakers globally that produces its mechanical movements entirely in-house, including critical components like hairsprings and escapements.
Enthusiasts are often drawn to the brand for its combination of historical Soviet heritage and technical independence, as it maintains a fully integrated manufacturing process. The brand’s catalog is defined by functional tool watches and avant-garde designs that often reference Russian history and engineering.
The brand’s collection includes several key pieces and models: – Big Zero: A model famous for its oversized 0 index at the twelve o’clock position, representing a minimalist and functional design approach.
– Polar: Featuring a 24-hour dial, this watch was originally engineered for Soviet Antarctic explorers who required a way to distinguish day from night during long periods of light or darkness.
– Leopard 24: A specialized timepiece constructed using steel from a Russian Akula-class nuclear submarine.
– Russian Code: An unconventional model featuring a counter-clockwise movement designed to mirror the planetary rotation of the solar system.
– Amphibia: A robust collection designed for divers, continuing the factory’s tradition of producing durable underwater instruments.
