Soviet watch. Soviet watches Brands of Soviet men's wristwatches

At first there were no good watch factories in the Soviet Union. All owners of watch factories left the country after the revolution, so it was not possible to establish the production of high-quality chronographs for quite a long time. Diplomats negotiated with Swiss factories, but only the purchase of two bankrupt watch factories in the USA in 1929 helped solve the problem. After this, watch factories appeared in the USSR.

In the 1930s, there were two watch factories in Moscow, they were called Factories of Precision Technical Stones, or TTK. TTK-1 was also engaged in the production of stones for the watch industry, and TTK-2 made electric clocks for industry and alarm clocks.

During the Great Patriotic War Watches were an item of primary importance for ensuring combat operations. In Tatarstan, the Chistopol watch factory was urgently opened, which made watches specifically for the military.

After the victory over Germany, the watch industry received special attention. A special mechanical watch K-26 “Pobeda” was released. The first watch models, including the “Victory”, were approved personally by Stalin. For Pobeda, he reviewed and approved the design and technical specifications.

Anniversary watch

After the successful experience of producing watches dedicated to the victory in the war, Soviet watch factories began to make special watches after a variety of events. For example, models with a space theme are very famous, such as the “Shturmanskie-Gagarin”, made in honor of the first flight into space, “Strela” - this watch was on the hand of Alexei Leonov and withstood being in outer space. The Poljot watch, which was made specifically for pilots, has a very good reputation.

Certain models watches, were produced in a strictly limited edition: “Strela” was produced only for the command staff of the Soviet flying troops.

Features of the mechanism

The so-called Soviet diving watches are currently popular. The watches are made in violation of technology, so they break under water. Sometimes modern products are even supplied with a fake registration certificate of 70-80 g.

Quality was based on special technologies. For example, journal bearings, which are usually made of metal and therefore wear out quickly, were made using rubies in Soviet watches. The stones practically do not wear off, so these watches are particularly long-lasting. The more rubies there were in the watch mechanism, the longer it worked. Some of the old clocks still run fine. The highest quality mechanisms contained up to 30 rubies.

Original taken from jurashz in Soviet times clock

Everything related to time had special significance in the USSR. In particular, a good watch on the wrist turned an ordinary engineer or doctor into an object worthy female attention. Well, what else can you do to stand out? Everyone's clothes were approximately the same, their hairstyles were within the acceptable standard, and their salary was within the acceptable tariff rate. And some “Luch”, “Raketa” or “Electronics” talked about financial capabilities and character traits...

After the Great October Revolution, the Bolsheviks inherited a very meager “inheritance” in the field of watchmaking. Until 1919, the Clock Agency, which was structural unit The Supreme Council of the National Economy (VSNKh), oversaw the management of watchmaking in the country.

Subsequently, in 1920, the Main Directorate of Precision Mechanics was created on the basis of the Agency, uniting the former Platov and Reinov factories for the production of wall clocks (which turned out to be stopped at that moment), the former workshops of G. Moser, as well as preserved warehouses of blanks and handicraft workshops.

In an attempt to establish their own production, Soviet diplomats are conducting futile negotiations with Swiss developers. And only in 1929, the purchase of two bankrupt American watch companies made it possible to open their own Soviet factories, specializing in the production of wall and wrist watches.

Thus, the purchased enterprises became the basis for the creation of the 1st and 2nd State Watch Factories, which began work in Moscow already in the 1930s. And the “First State Plant of Precision Technical Stones” (TTK-1), created in Peterhof on the basis of a stone cutting factory in 1931, begins producing stones directly for the watch industry. As a result, the 1st Watch Factory soon produces wrist and pocket watches, and the 2nd Watch Factory produces alarm clocks and electric watches for enterprises.

In 1936, the Soviet government entered into a deal with the French watch company Lip for the purchase of watch mechanisms and parts, and then production technological lines, and in December 1938 the product went on sale international cooperation— women's wristwatches of the ZiF brand. They were made at the 3rd State Watch Plant, and on the eve of the war, all watch models produced here received the new name “Star”.

There are a lot of pocket watches from those years that have been converted into wristwatches. Those interested brought pocket watches (or just money) to watch repair shops across the country, and the craftsmen welded the arms to the pocket cases. There, wrist cases were made to order, sometimes from silver and gold; the workshops also made dials - as a result, the watches turned out to be completely similar to factory ones.

The beginning of the Great Patriotic War is associated with the creation of another famous Soviet watch factory, Chistopol, opened in the Republic of Tatarstan on an emergency basis. Since the summer of 1942, this plant has been actively working to meet the needs of the military industry, and subsequently becomes one of the leading factories in the USSR, producing watches of the Pobeda, Mir, Vostok, Cosmos brands, as well as automobile and outdoor watches. watch.

And since 1965, Chistopol has become the official supplier of watches for the USSR Ministry of Defense. The factory existed until 2010, but was subsequently declared bankrupt, and watch production was transferred to subsidiaries"Chistopol".

A month before the hoisting of the Victory flag over the Reichstag, in April 1945, watchmakers were entrusted with a special mission: preparations began for the release of the new K-26 “Victory” watch. Serial production of Pobeda began in 1946. The name, design and technical data of the watch were personally approved by I.V. Stalin, and they were produced until 1953.

In 1949, the production of “Shturmanskie” watches was mastered specifically for the Air Force, but they were not commercially available. On April 12, 1961, this watch went into space.

Each era chooses its iconic watch models. In the early 60s, they were “Shturmanskie-Gagarin”, and then the iconic “Strela”, which cosmonaut Alexei Leonov wore on his arm when going into outer space. This fact was of great importance during cold war and rivalry with the West. They say that it was not your “Omega” that went into space, but our “Strela”, produced by the First Watch Factory.

This kind of “Arrows” was produced only for Air Force command personnel. They were attached to the sleeve of the spacesuit. The movement was equipped with a stopwatch and a 45-minute chronograph counter.

By the way, for those who don’t know what the number of stones means (in this case 23 stones), and what they are needed for. As a child, when asked about stones in a watch, adults usually joked that the watch was supposedly missing a couple more stones. Put it on one and slam it with the other.

In fact, the number of stones indicated the number of ruby ​​stones that were used as journal bearings on the gear journals.

All parts of the watch are in motion. And if there was metal there, it would quickly wear off. And ruby ​​does not wear off for centuries. The more stones, the greater the durability of the watch mechanism. Because ruby ​​stones do not wear out on their own and almost do not wear out the gear axis. Good and reliable mechanisms were made using 30 stones.

The most popular gift for women! Watch "Luch". Many probably still have them and are still working.

The largest wristwatch I've ever seen is our Soviet diving watch.

A little about modern replica diving watches. In the post-perestroika period, the Chelyabinsk Watch Factory produced many souvenir watches made in the same case and design as the ZChZ submarine watch. However, the technology was violated - instead of steel, chrome-plated brass was used, and they completely forgot about water protection. As a result, such new products leak, break, and the coating peels off.

It is possible that these watches are still being made, because there are still a lot of them on sale. Literally every shop on Arbat is replete with “Soviet underwater watches”, which in fact are nothing more than a dummy. Due to their low price, such watches are popular among tourists, and they even began to make them with a chronograph and an alarm clock (you had to think of that, and how would a diver hear it???). The watch often also comes with a new set of documents, dated 1970-1980.

The main achievement of the 70s was electronic watches of the Electronics brand. They glowed, squeaked and amazed everyone with their modern chrome design. From that moment on, everyone was chasing precisely these, alluring, graphic numbers.

Watches for children were also produced.
The most popular with a fox.

Children's and youth watches of the USSR.

Steel watches are more expensive than gold ones?! Rocket 3031. Stainless steel case, inside is a 33-jewel movement with dual calendar, self-winding and alarm functions! The watches were sold for 150 rubles. Only...they didn't sell. There were no people willing to buy steel watches for that kind of money - gold ones were cheaper, and you could also buy an ordinary Rocket with change. And gold ones are always cooler!...

Gold watches were also produced in the USSR.

Leonid Brezhnev wore a gold “Raketa” watch, the design of which was developed in the 60s.

Today, many watches produced during the Soviet years attract the attention of collectors, as well as ordinary lovers of stylish and elegant things. For example, the watch “70 years of the KGB of Belarus” was sold at the Gelos auction for a tidy sum.

Many, of course, will have a question: “What are the most expensive wristwatches produced in the USSR”?
One of the most expensive watches is the post-war Kirov Chron. Very beautiful.

Very rare super thin Flight. If it pops up somewhere, the cost will be exorbitant.

For almost 70 years, the Country of Soviets, through the efforts of 15 factories, has produced hundreds of millions of mechanical watches, among the advantages of which are laconic design and simple, reliable mechanisms.

The first “Pobeda” watches were assembled at the First Moscow Watch Factory named after Kirov in 1946, exactly one year after the capture of Berlin by the Red Army. The design, characteristics and name were personally approved by Stalin. In Soviet times, “Victory” was produced at six different factories: Petrodvortsov, First and Second Moscow, Penza and Chistopol (the model in the photo was produced at Petrodvortsov in 1955).

At the Maslennikov plant in Samara (then Kuibyshev), “Pobeda” was produced under the name “ZiM” with the legendary K-43 mechanism. The colossal volume of production made the brand perhaps the most popular in the USSR. The watches were put on free sale and were also awarded to war and labor veterans.

In 2015, the Petrodvorets Plant began production of quartz wristwatches under the Pobeda brand for the 70th anniversary of the Victory.

The mechanism of the “Shturmanskie” watch, which accompanied Yuri Gagarin on his first flight into space, was shockproof, had a power reserve of two days and a function to stop the second hand. Nowadays such a power reserve seems small, but for the Soviet watch industry it was a real achievement.

Their production began in 1949 specifically for the Air Force, in open sale they never did. Later, they left the factory with the most reliable mechanism 3133, for the development of which the team of the First MChZ was awarded the USSR State Prize. Therefore, “Shturmanskie” from the Soviet period are especially valued by collectors these days. The mechanical watches of the same name are still produced today, but, alas, apart from the name, they have nothing in common with their predecessors.

The State Trust for Precision Mechanics is the office from which the entire Soviet watch industry began. The trust included nationalized factories, repair and assembly shops that assembled watches from blanks left over from tsarist times. But the country needed large volumes.

Since 1929, using equipment purchased from the bankrupt American Duber Hempton factory, the trust produced mainly pocket watches. There were very few wrist models, and perhaps the most common of them was produced by order of the NKPS (People's Commissariat of Railways). Most often, the watch had an enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and redundant red 24-hour markings.

Released in early 1935, the first wrist models of the First State Watch Factory have the K-43 movement, developed five years earlier for the most popular Soviet pocket watches, which were called “pocket watches of the 1st type.” Main feature“Kirovsky” had a small seconds hand located at the “9 o’clock” mark, and a large dial with a diameter of 43 millimeters.

During the period from 1930 to 1941, the First State ChZ produced about three million pocket and wrist watches of the first type.

In 1953, it was decided to build a watch factory in Minsk. For the first ten years, the company produced only women’s wristwatches “Zarya” and “Minsk”. In 1963, the USSR Ministry of Instrument Engineering announced the production of flat men's watches “Vympel”, previously produced by the First Moscow Watch Factory, which was transferred to the Minsk Factory technical documentation. This watch was called “Luch-2209” and became an achievement of the Eighth Five-Year Plan.

The diameter of the mechanism on 23 jewels was 22 millimeters, the height was 2.9 millimeters, there was a central second hand and shockproof protection. Today the plant continues mass production of watches.

Another legendary astronaut watch - it was the first to go into outer space in 1965 on the hand of Alexei Leonov. with a 45-minute counter was produced by the First MChZ since 1959. It had several versions, including one with a luminescent dial and a telemetric scale.

In 1964, all models of the First MChZ were renamed “Polyot” (export versions - Poljot). Thus, the Strela was produced for a short five years exclusively for Air Force command personnel, which makes it a rarity on the secondary market. Sometimes the cost of Strela-3017, a model that has been in space, reaches 200–250 thousand rubles.

“Light” and “East”

This rare pair is the fruit of the work of the Chistopol watch factory. In the post-war period, the plant produced household and industrial watches. In 1962, the Vostok brand received a gold medal at the Leipzig exhibition. At the same time, the plant produced Komandirskie prototypes and became the official supplier of watches to the USSR Ministry of Defense.

The “Svet” watch with a black dial was also intended for the military, but also appeared on the public market. Since 1969, all watches produced in Chistopol were branded “Vostok”.

In 1963, after Valentina Tereshkova’s flight into space, all models of the Uglich watch factory were renamed “Chaika”, in honor of the call sign of the first female cosmonaut.

The presented model was produced in the 1970s at the Chistopol Watch Factory in a gold-plated case and with a metal bracelet. “Chaika” is equipped with a shockproof and dust-moisture-proof mechanism with and on 17. Gold plating AU 20 was considered the best at that time and contained more than one gram of gold per product.

“Stolichnye” and “Mayak”

“Stolichnye” immediately catches your eye thanks to its unusual retro dial and eye-catching red hand. The stamp was produced at the First Kirov Mining Plant for only a short time, thanks to which it became a rarity.

“Mayak” also comes from the First Minsk Plant, but was also assembled in Petrodvorets. These “Mayaks” had a 16-jewel movement, a second hand, and gold-plated dial elements. In addition, military-style wristwatches with glow-in-the-dark hands were produced.

“ ”

The late Soviet “Copernicus Rocket” with a unique minimalist design was released in the late 1980s, but gained particular popularity already in the 1990s with the “Made in Russia” stamp. The hour and minute hands are topped with unusual circles, and in the “Copernicus Black” model with a dark dial they even resemble planets in the night sky.

The main technical value is the high-class movement 2609 with 19 rubies with a central second hand and a shock-proof axis device.

It is worth recognizing that for the decline of the USSR watch industry, “Raketa” is certainly a landmark model that looks very bold among its analogues. Today, the Petrodvorets Watch Factory continues to produce the “Rocket”, but it costs 20 times more than the Soviet original.

Text: Dmitry Shalaev
Photos: Dmitry Shalaev

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Everything related to time had special significance in the USSR. In particular, a good watch on the wrist turned an ordinary engineer or doctor into an object worthy of female attention.
Everyone's clothes were approximately the same, their hairstyles were within the acceptable standard, and their salary was within the acceptable tariff rate. And some “Luch”, “Raketa” or “Electronics” talked about financial capabilities and character traits...

After the Great October Revolution, the Bolsheviks inherited a very meager “inheritance” in the field of watchmaking. Until 1919, the Watch Agency, which was a structural subdivision of the Supreme Council of the National Economy (VSNKh), oversaw watchmaking in the country.
Subsequently, in 1920, the Main Directorate of Precision Mechanics was created on the basis of the Agency, uniting the former Platov and Reinov factories for the production of wall clocks (which turned out to be stopped at that moment), the former workshops of G. Moser, as well as preserved warehouses of blanks and handicraft workshops.


In an attempt to establish their own production, Soviet diplomats are conducting futile negotiations with Swiss developers. And only in 1929, the purchase of two bankrupt American watch companies made it possible to open their own Soviet factories, specializing in the production of wall and wrist watches.
Thus, the purchased enterprises became the basis for the creation of the 1st and 2nd State Watch Factories, which began work in Moscow already in the 1930s. And the “First State Plant of Precision Technical Stones” (TTK-1), created in Peterhof on the basis of a stone cutting factory in 1931, begins producing stones directly for the watch industry. As a result, the 1st Watch Factory soon produces wrist and pocket watches, and the 2nd Watch Factory produces alarm clocks and electric watches for enterprises.


In 1936, the Soviet government entered into a deal with the French watch company Lip for the purchase of watch mechanisms and parts, and then production technological lines, and in December 1938 a product of international cooperation appeared on sale - women's wristwatches of the ZiF brand. They were made at the 3rd State Watch Plant, and on the eve of the war, all watch models produced here received the new name “Star”.

There are a lot of pocket watches from those years that have been converted into wristwatches. Those interested brought pocket watches (or just money) to watch repair shops across the country, and the craftsmen welded the arms to the pocket cases. There, wrist cases were made to order, sometimes from silver and gold, and the workshops also made dials - as a result, the watches turned out to be completely similar to factory ones.

The beginning of the Great Patriotic War is associated with the creation of another famous Soviet watch factory, Chistopol, opened in the Republic of Tatarstan on an emergency basis. Since the summer of 1942, this plant has been actively working to meet the needs of the military industry, and subsequently becomes one of the leading factories in the USSR, producing watches of the Pobeda, Mir, Vostok, Cosmos brands, as well as automobile and outdoor watches. watch.
And since 1965, Chistopol has become the official supplier of watches for the USSR Ministry of Defense. The factory existed until 2010, but was subsequently declared bankrupt, and watch production was transferred to Chistopol subsidiaries.


A month before the hoisting of the Victory flag over the Reichstag, in April 1945, watchmakers were entrusted with a special mission: preparations began for the release of the new K-26 “Victory” watch. Serial production of Pobeda began in 1946. The name, design and technical data of the watch were personally approved by I.V. Stalin, and they were produced until 1953.

In 1949, the production of “Shturmanskie” watches was mastered specifically for the Air Force, but they were not commercially available. On April 12, 1961, this watch went into space.



Each era chooses its iconic watch models. In the early 60s, they were “Shturmanskie-Gagarin”, and then the iconic “Strela”, which cosmonaut Alexei Leonov wore on his arm when going into outer space. This fact was of great importance during the Cold War and rivalry with the West. They say that it was not your “Omega” that went into space, but our “Strela”, produced by the First Watch Factory.
This kind of “Arrows” was produced only for Air Force command personnel. They were attached to the sleeve of the spacesuit. The movement was equipped with a stopwatch and a 45-minute chronograph counter.

By the way, for those who don’t know what the number of stones means (in this case 23 stones), and what they are needed for. As a child, when asked about stones in a watch, adults usually joked that the watch was supposedly missing a couple more stones. Put it on one and slam it with the other.

In fact, the number of stones indicated the number of ruby ​​stones that were used as journal bearings on the gear journals.
All parts of the watch are in motion. And if there was metal there, it would quickly wear off. And ruby ​​does not wear off for centuries. The more stones, the greater the durability of the watch mechanism. Because ruby ​​stones do not wear out on their own and almost do not wear out the gear axis. Good and reliable mechanisms were made using 30 stones.

The most popular gift for women! Watch "Luch". Many probably still have them and are still working.


The largest wristwatch I have ever seen is our Soviet diving watch.


A little about modern replica diving watches. In the post-perestroika period, the Chelyabinsk Watch Factory produced many souvenir watches made in the same case and design as the ZChZ submarine watch. However, the technology was violated - instead of steel, chrome-plated brass was used, and they completely forgot about water protection. As a result, such new products leak, break, and the coating peels off.
It is possible that these watches are still being made, because there are still a lot of them on sale. Literally every shop on Arbat is replete with “Soviet underwater watches”, which in fact are nothing more than a dummy. Due to their low price, such watches are popular among tourists, and they even began to make them with a chronograph and an alarm clock (you had to think of that, and how would a diver hear it???). The watch often also comes with a new set of documents, dated 1970-1980.


The main achievement of the 70s was electronic watches of the Electronics brand. They glowed, squeaked and amazed everyone with their modern chrome design. From that moment on, everyone was chasing precisely these, alluring, graphic numbers.





Watches for children were also produced.
The most popular with a fox.


Children's and youth watches of the USSR.


Steel watches are more expensive than gold ones?! Rocket 3031. Stainless steel case, inside is a 33-jewel movement with dual calendar, self-winding and alarm functions! The watches were sold for 150 rubles. Only... they didn't sell. There were no people willing to buy steel watches for that kind of money - gold ones were cheaper, and you could also buy an ordinary Rocket with change. And the gold ones are always cooler!..




Gold watches were also produced in the USSR.


Leonid Brezhnev wore a gold “Raketa” watch, the design of which was developed in the 60s.
(Unlike modern leaders- my remark)



Today, many watches produced in the Soviet years attract the attention of collectors, as well as ordinary lovers of stylish and elegant things. For example, the watch “70 years of the KGB of Belarus” was sold at the Gelos auction for a tidy sum.




Many, of course, will have a question: “What are the most expensive wristwatches produced in the USSR”?
One of the most expensive watches is the post-war Kirov Chron. Very beautiful.


Very rare super thin Flight. If it pops up somewhere, the cost will be exorbitant.
(Reach through your guts)

The Soviet Union was a time of great changes, heroic personalities and legendary events. Thanks to the powerful reserve of creative energy of all who lived and worked in this great country, it became a leader in the fields of culture, science, politics and the arts.

The USSR brand was born thanks to the great heritage of the Soviet Union. The watch reflects the now popular ideas of Back in the USSR and the unique style and traditions of Soviet watches. Original idea USSR watches are guaranteed to unite people, regardless of their age and political beliefs - from patriots to hipsters.

The creator of the USSR brand, Alexander Shorokhov, left the country after its collapse and settled in Germany, where he began producing exclusive collectible watches. Along with the USSR watches, the work of this famous watchmaker also includes other series associated with Russia and its great symbols. This is evidenced by the names of some models: Peter Tchaikovsky, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Alexander Pushkin and Leo Tolstoy.

Each collection was inspired by the legendary symbols of the Soviet Union - the first space satellite, the fastest fighter jet, the world's best nuclear submarines, the exploits of the first cosmonaut. The lightest and deliberately stylized Soviet watch series, the “Saint Petersburg” series, reflected the romantic atmosphere of the city on the Neva.

The USSR brand released 14 collections. All of them are characterized by a variety of mechanisms, models and designs. Fans of collectible watches will appreciate models with the Slava 2427 movement, the latest batch of which was purchased specifically for the production of USSR watches. In addition to the Slava 2427, the watch also uses other automatic and quartz movements made in Japan and Switzerland. Despite their different origins, they all have one thing in common – impeccable quality. And in the design the military style was reinterpreted. Massive cases with original details, often stylized as military elements, look very modern and youthful. Thanks to non-standard color solutions, the watch can be combined with different styles of clothing.

On at the moment The USSR brand is represented in more than 20 countries around the world. The watches have found their buyers both among fans of collectible watches and among those who prefer stylish watches with an up-to-date design. Among the USSR collections, there really is something to choose and admire, from the extraordinary design of the dial to the work of the excellent watch mechanism, which is visible through the translucent watch case covers.