SOVIET WATCHES - Analogs and Digitals from USSR and Belarus - Pobeda, Poljot, Elektronika and more
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- čas přidán 6. 07. 2024
- In this episode I dig into the history of watches from the Soviet Union or USSR, including examples from modern day Belarus. Analog mechanical watch brands covered include Pobeda, Poljot, Strela and Sturmanskie from the First Moscow Watch Company, Slava, Raketa, Chaika and of course Vostok, amongst many more. Digital watches of course include those from both Integral Minsk and Pinsk with both Elektronika and Kamerton brands, originally developed at the NII institute. Some classics are Yurin Gagarin's watch , the first digital in space, Big Zero , Soviet chronographs based on German machines, watches based on Lip movements and many more. I do hope you enjoy the episode!
It is split into 5 parts covering 1. Pre Soviet Union ; 2. Emergence of Soviet Watchmaking ; 3. Overview of Mechanical Brands ; 4 Soviets go digital ; 5. What happened next?
Key sources include:
- Electrifying the Wristwatch (Book)
- Birth of Soviet Watchmaking (Book as PDF)
- Elektronik5.RU
- Sergei Frolov Soviet Electronics Museum
- Watches of the USSR website
- Crazywatches .pl website
- Russian Corner website - 3 part series on digital watches
- netgrafik.ch elektronika watches
Other sources are referenced on each image.
#sovietwatches #sovietdigitalwatches #poljot
Should you be enjoying the content and would like to support the channel - why not considering buying me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/Illumina... - Jak na to + styl
You will have noticed the link between Lip and Soviet watches. I’ve done another video on Lip here which has a really interesting history -> czcams.com/video/zfpIzLH7Fm0/video.html
Raketa shut down in 2007 and leased out their factory space. Some of the workers took parts home with them on their last day and continued watchmaking until their supplies ran out. About three years after closure, Raketa re-opened using part of their factory that was still vacant. They revived the brand as a luxury outfit, still making everything in-house (including glass and movements, even the movements' springs.) Most of their catalog since re-opening has been limited to a handful of elevated versions of their historically famous models. The Big Zero, Copernicus, and several 24 hours watches seem to be their focus. They also drastically raised their prices as well. Currently their price range is from around $1,700.00 USD to almost $4,000.00 USD
Vostoks are my favorites. So cool to see all these
It's very interesting and hearwarming to see how foreign reviewers talk about your motherland's legacy with so much details and passion. Great video, sir!
Thankyou so much! I knew very little before I made the video, so was a great excuse to learn all about the topic.
Raketa shut down in 2007. They reopened in part of their old factory around three years later. This time they're seemingly focused on limited quantities of elevated versions of their previous popular models like the Big Zero, Copernicus, and some 24 hour watches. They still make everything in-house, including their own movements and even the movements' components. They did, however, change their buisness model. Raketa now sells their watches in the $1,700.00 USD to $4,000.00 range.
I have 3 hand wound Pobeda's from the 80's or 90's... Still new in their watch sleeves and with their Russian instructions. Very cool watches!
Very cool indeed! Pobeda one of the originals. Really appreciate you taking a look across some of my videos.
@@IlluminatingWatches They are from the era where the soviet nations got democracy as one literally has it on the dial and the other what looks like EU stars...I have been watching a few and they are awesome! Super informative!
i have a black one from 1956
@@eestlane4 That is awesome!
Personally, Soviet watches are easily my favorite in terms of both design and engineering. I don't even buy those from other nations anymore. My favorite Soviet beauties are the 1950s-80s Pobeda/ZiMs with the ZiM 2602 and the 1970s-80s Slavas with the Slava 2414 movement family.
The 15-jewel ZiM 2602 was based on the French LIP R-26 from 1918 and built under license. However, the 2602 also holds the distinction of being the longest-produced Soviet watch caliber. It was made continuously from 1948 to the mid 2000s in the millions. Pobeda abandoned the 2602 sometime in the 1990s whereas ZIM produced it until their dissolution on June 30th, 2006. It represents the sheer power of Soviet industrialization and its capabilities, where a watch intended for as many people as possible still had such haute features as a glydocur balance and an actual Breguet hairspring all throughout its life span. It's an anachronism by modern standards, as it more closely resembles a pocketwatch movement than an actual wristwatch movement in construction, but its still totally servicable and stands as a testament to early Soviet watchmaking efforts.
The Slava 2414 movement family from the Second Moscow Watch Factory, however, is a technical marvel. It has two mainspring barrels coupled together with an idler gear, which was designed to release energy from the mainsprings more evenly as they unwound to the balance wheel, which is abnormally large relative to the movement's size. This is also to increase accuracy as much as possible. Even better, it was an entirely Soviet design made from 1966 all the way until the SMWF's dissolution in 2011. Again, sheer industrial might and beautiful design was pursued here, even at the cost of crude finishing. Much more difficult to service than the 2602 I talked about earlier, but still absurdly accurate for the price. I'm talking within 5 sec/day deviation here when regulated to specs.
Also, since most of my family is from the Hungarian People's Republic, we have a special connection to these pieces. They remind us of what was.
Amazing knowledge and really appreciate you sharing. I’ve only really been able to learn about this cool area of watch history relatively recently so still learning. My particular interest was Lip watches and during my research for the video I learned about the link to soviet era watches. That company has a fascinating history too.
Good day, can you tell me. I have a Vostok watch with a Vostok komandirskie 2414 movement, manual winding. What is the difference between a Slava 2414 movement and a Vostok 2414? Thanks for the great information in the comment.
Great video sir!
I myself find the soviet aesthetic extremely appealing. Recently I got a vostok komandirskie, and I love the simplicity of the design, the red stars and the cyrilic font. I think it is indeed a perfect field watch
As an engineer myself, I admire the creative solutions that soviet engineers were forced to find because of the isolation and the pressure they recieved from the autorities to fulfill production plans
I also have a technochas/electronica right now on its way from Russia... I hope that it will be as good as discussed in some watch forums. It has very unusual features for a modern digital, like a metal case (chromed brass), melody alarms, and electronic regulation of precision. The people at customer service seem very serious and professional, and gave fast answers to my endless anoying questions (no promotion intended)
Thanks a lot as always for sharing your research!
Thankyou so much! I don’t yet own any myself so this was my attempt to educate myself, which normally ends up with me buying lots of watches! Into totally get the aesthetic. I want to get a vintage elektronika 5 and I like the raketa big zero. So many cool ones to choose from! Appreciate you taking the time to watch!
They are pretty much all I collect and wear. Have a dozen + 8 more en route from Ukraine ebay sellers lol. Vostok Komandirskies and Amphibias are iconic and absolute workhorses. Hard to find better durability and value anywhere in all of horology. Pobeda, Raketa and Slava make some gorgeous pieces and great movements as well. Functional, wearable history and art. Can’t beat it.
Прекрасное видео. Смотрел с сабами. Очень интересная подача информации. Очень нравятся коментарии ниже. От себя скажу: у меня в россии сейчас мода на советские часы одни их просто коллекцианирут а другие еще их носят. У меня в коллекции несколько на данный момент часов: ракета гильошированые редкие лимитки и Полет de lux 29 камней автоподзавод очень тонки, красивые и даже сейчас все они ходят очень точно и смотрятся красиво на руке. Еще раз спасибо за атдео. ❤
My pleasure! Very glad you enjoyed!
Thank you. I have dived deep in Soviet watch history
Glad you enjoyed!
What an enormous amount of work and research . Well done and thank you .
Doesn't get much more Soviet then a Geiger counter on a watch.
Great coverage as always🤘
Ha ha yes definitely a niche market!!
It is not Soviet by any standard: a Belorussian brand not heard of in Russia (at least in its contemporary form) and mass manufactured in China - likely under many more brands from all around the world.
This is absolutely wonderfull !Thank you so much for putting all this together!
My pleasure ! Was a great excuse to learn about the whole area as I knew little beyond Vostok !
Another fascinating look into a whole world or watches I knew so little about outside of maybe Vostok. Absolutely outstanding work as always 👏👏👏👏
Thanks!! I know right? This is just the surface as well: check out the watches of the USSR website if you want a pretty comprehensive list of brands
Great video as always!
Really fantastic video, thank you for all the work and effort - you ave a good style, love the old ads!
Thankyou! Worked hard on this one!
Excellent presentation! I can’t even start to look for all the vintage watches I’d like to own. So many watches, so little time….and money.
Thankyou! I know - that is the bad thing about doing these videos. Finding too many cool watches that I want!!
Oh great, now I've got more on my potential shopping list. 🤔🙂 Really interesting and professional video. The Russian space watches look nice. After buying my Amphibia I've resisted looking too much at Vostok because there are so many different designs and most are great value for the price.
Ha ha I would have you pegged as an elektronika guy. Yeh it seems like a Deep dark rabbit hole for those that get into it. So much good material out there
What an interesting video. Thank you so much for making it.
Thankyou! Very glad you enjoyed
Another video! Happy days!! Thank you:)
Hope you enjoy!
Very cool & informative video. Thanks for this!
My pleasure - glad you enjoyed!
Awesome vid my friend. Really enjoyed it!!!
Thankyou sir! Looks like your channel is going great!!
@@IlluminatingWatches still grinding out. I enjoy it though. My creative outlet.
Thank God I found this Channel, this is wonderful.
Thankyou!! Really pleased to hear you enjoyed. Do stay and take a look around!
Brilliant as always. Really interesting 🙂
Glad you enjoyed! Totally new topic to me so I learned loads.
Excellent video 👍
More interesting than ever! I realized that I hadn't even seen this episode before. As usual, great research and fantastically put together 😊
Is it getting more, or less, views with what's happening? CZcams showed it to me front and centre this morning.
Has been getting more of a spike in views which i think is a ripple effect. The main driver was that a Bosnian website listed it a bit back which drove a whole bunch of people to it
Amazing video! Well done for the effort putting it together. I miss a few brands like Yantar and MIr but I learnt a lot in return.
amazing!
I have a “Vostok” (восток) watch , Amphibia it’s great 200 m underwater watch ! Best still going for 10 years on my wrist
I’ve actually still never owned a Vostok. Will have to try one!
Great topic! I actually recognize a few of the brands! I've always loved the avant gard watch!
Thanks Norman! I only knew about 4 of them. Yeh I saw the avant gard watch on the caseback watches channel. He’s great
@@IlluminatingWatches One of my favorites!
Thanks Ben.
Cool video, I own bunch of Електроникаs from late 80’s to early 90’s but my favorites must be Soviet made 52s with beige and green face.
Wore them often since 2014 when I bought them of a person in Donetsk! I love the funny little night light which makes the screen barely visible.
Liked and subscribed 😊
Welcome to the channel!
i must add one of these to my collection
It’s a whole area of watchdom where people only collect these
A geiger counter on a watch!! 😆 it doesn't get much more Soviet than that. Fascinating insight into Russian watches, It must take a crazy amount of time to put these video's together very nicely done.
Thankyou! I know right?! Not as bad as you’d think. There were some amazing sources on this. The Lip video was much more effort actually (main source is in french with no English version!)
Well, time to scour around for one of these.
There's still a small company manufacturing Electronica watches in Belarus. They go by the name "Technochas". They have a ton of cool models. Some retro Soviet designs and other cool one's too.
Oh cool! I’ll definitely check them out
@@IlluminatingWatches My Electronica 55 got delivered the other day and I absolutely love it. 100% recommend to anyone who wants a good solid metal body watch with retro styling.
Definitely very tempting!
Its the expertise in manufacturing details known amongst Russian Confederates as well as partner countries in exports and imports. It has a statement in fashion that it maintains.
У отца были Луч, золотые. Куплены в то время, когда были модны ультраплоские часы. Их толщина ьыла, если не ошибаюсь, 3 мм. Механика
nice video!
Could have mentioned that Elektronika brand watches are still being made by Belarusian company known as "Technochas" as far as I know though at the end
Ah cool. Yes on the front page of the elektronika 5 dot RU website I think they may have mentioned that. Still learning! Glad you liked the video !
Good and informative video - just one thing that bothers me. The Rakieta Avant-garde, with the red wedge for an hour hand was inspired primarily by a work by El Lissitzky ("Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge", see the work on Wiki) and other constructivists. Not by Kandinsky, who was not a constructivist artist.
That’s even cooler!!
The 24 dial are good.
For many, what our watches measure is as interesting as the watch itself. A recent book, 'The Order of Time' by Carlo Rovelli explains why our time is always relative, and the time at the top of your head is faster than at your feet.
I’ll take a look!
@@IlluminatingWatches I hope you might enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed your watch history. :)
Ordered :)
Отличный рассказ! Спасибо большое автору за проделанную работу, даже на русском языке такие видео большая редкость! Great Job, dear author, thank you so much! Videos Like your is a very rare Thing even in russian CZcams, greetings from Siberia!
Agat Zlatoust 191….dainty Soviet Engineering at its best . Full grid variant of course ;)
Ha ha yes subtle …
Excellent video! Thanks. I have 3 Vostoks and have wanted to learn more about Russian watches, and this is a superb overview!
Thankyou! Really glad you enjoyed. Was loads of fun doing the research
The video is done with good research and kudos. One of the catch though, the Strela at 0:08 is fake.
Thankyou! Ah good pick up - I’ll see if I can edit it out with the video editor tool
Absolutely love this patriot and his son enough said I stand behind this man
Actually, more than half of the brands presented in the video still produce watches in Russia and Belarus.
It’s great that there is an ongoing tradition. Very few historic brands still available in Britain :(
@@IlluminatingWatches Yep friggin globalism, monopoly, competition, etc., many iconic brands are disappearing into oblivion😒
Hello and thank you for the video! I have a new one handmade 'Raketa Polar 0241' watсhes model from this year. Raketa is the most cool production for middle-class in Russian Federation now. Do you know about this renewed brand?
Pls use that russian-style font. The faux-cryllic burns!
(Great and very informative video regardless!)
Tell you what - I’ll change the thumbnail. Enough people have mentioned it that it’s clearly causing pain! Glad you enjoyed the video!
I love the video man! keep it up!!
EDIT: Do you plan on making a Discord server?
Thankyou! No plans for a discord at the moment. Do most of my communication on Instagram
I just added the famous Chaika "big blue" quartz to my collection or the 3050KR Chaika, I have phat wrists and this thing is as long as my wrist is wide but super pleased with it, paid 25 dollars for it too which was a steal all day long :D I have got a Slava "tank" special upcoming on my channel, just waiting on a rare export Perspex screened model to arrive and I can showcase every type including a ultra rocking horse doings CPSU Congress limited edition only presented to Congress members of the Soviet Union in 1973 or 74. The one I have could have belonged to everyone from Breshnev down to whatever under secretary to Estonia, I doubt very much Breshnev ever wore his or anyone else famous but nice to know mine hobnobbed in high places ;)
Very cool. I have super thin wrists so can’t away with the bigger watches.
Very good overview, better than most in russian language :)
Thankyou so much! I’m no expert but hopefully helps others get a basic level of insight!
Great vidéo. Where can we buy this soviet watches ?
Thankyou! I’m not sure these days. Probably best on eBay from local collectors. No shortage of Vostok around
1:45 bro got baby feet? Damn Lenin 😂
Had to source myself a Polimaster the moment i learnt about it at the beginning of the video.
Ha ha who doesn’t need a radiation detector in their watch??
@@IlluminatingWatches right? Its clearly an everyday necessity that everyone should have!
Does does know what the bottom-right model at 9:26 is?
Sorry lost my notes so not sure. It looks like one that has used a Lip modified caliber
is the vostok diver any good?
Opinions are divided - for some people it’s their favourite watch - for others they struggle to get over the wobbly crown and movement being quite old now. All
Agree they are great value and of course have a good history.
I bought a Russian automatic watch the other day and can’t find any information on it. Russian Time with automatic movement Miyota 9015. Perhaps I could send a picture and you could help me discover it’s history? Thanks.
8:16 do you know the exact model of the watch on the top right??????
found it Raketa Avant-Garde 0240
I was about to say : monochrome-watches.com/raketa-avant-garde-limited-edition-0279-review-price/ - also a limited edition version
Oh my God, the only mention of my legendary Gshock big brother the Polimaster..........a potato to bake them all, you know it's 2cm thick?
“A potato to bake them all” ha ha. You should make your own channel called spuds n watches .
@@IlluminatingWatches Much easier to soak up your creativity and make snide remarks from the periphery.......
А я до сих пор гоняю с батеными терминаторами, правда он их не носил, тяжелыми ему казались
I love the history and those watches I’m trying to collect them I love watches in general I have a couple of Russian watches and I love them I live in the US in Texas
Always wanted someone to talk about Sfvieg schdțsnes
Why can't people see that this is fun as a kid playing but it's insane as an identity.
Nice video although that attempt at Russian in the beginning was a bit cringe. If you try to read that in Russian, it sounds like "Svieg Shdtes" although some of these letters are not even Russian.
Ha ha yes a few people mentioned that. well at least it’s not the thumbnail anymore! Glad you enjoyed regardless though!
Vostok made a watch called "Mir", but you have a photo from the Slava alarm clock.
Whoops sorry!
anyone know a more specific model name of the bottom left one at 10:04?
No expert - but a google suggests this? Vostok Komandirskie 381XXX 1960's First Generation White Dial Equilateral Triangular Indices
2214 Movement - Chistopol Watch Factory
@@IlluminatingWatches That's absolutely right.
Oh good! The power of google!
@@IlluminatingWatches check out: mroatman doooot wixsite
@@user-ne9rx8xi9y was a major source for this video !
8:55 watch in the centre. anyone know the model? anyone care to sell one?
(ЛУЧ КВАРЦ К.37.К.3.№58) I saw a couple of offers at an online auction in Russia and Belarus, the condition is not very good, but the price is about 20 bucks! another lot for spare parts for 150 rubles! shipping abroad is most likely impossible!
@@user-ne9rx8xi9y i found those using yandex image search. a russian and a belarus auction sites. i couldnt find a way to register or message. pity
La Carrasca, de Sevilla 🚘🚘🚘.
The Elektronika on 14:53 is a pure rip off of Casio FS-10.
Ha yes that’s true! I actually have an FS-10
I have always been fascinated with the USSR, I think I had a past life there or something. Everything about it just sucks me in and I've recently started collecting Soviet watches too. I am lucky to have a watch shop in my town owned by a Russian guy who gets in a lot of vintage soviet watches so I stop in at least every couple months and scoop up any new arrivals that I can afford. I have 3 Chaikas, 3 Luches, and one Zarya, all mechanical except for 2 of the Luches. Thankfully my husband supports my addiction lol. My Luches are real gold plated and look nicer than most modern high-end watches and I can't believe just how well made they all are. I get a lot of compliments, and I get to be a nerd and start rambling about the USSR whenever people look a bit closer and see сделано в СССР on my watch :D I NEED a geiger counter watch now.
did the KGB have a got to watch?
Good question - no idea!
Soviet watches straight from the factory look like indian franken-watches straight from ebay
Seharus ya ga ada damai . Ya pantas saja byk bus tw kendarain yg ngblong
Great watches for the money, made by talented engineers under a brutally horrible political system.
A few more mins on the recent popularity of Vostoks would have been nice, you didn't even mention the revolutionary compressor case back design of the Amphibia which allows it to easily surpass 500m in testing😕
I actually don’t own one. This video was my excuse to learn the broad area more. I definitely don’t have the depth of knowledge yet. that is the fun of watches - always more to learn!
@@IlluminatingWatches Ahhhh ok gotcha. Your detailed presentation was so compelling I assumed an encyclopedic knowledge of the subject, rather than just extensive research.
I've got lots of Casios and Vostoks so am familiar with both.
As a Sports diver the Vostok is unmatched for the price 👍
They have a cult following for good reason.
@@edwardfletcher7790 Thankyou! As I say sometimes in videos, what I lack in expertise I make up for in enthusiasm and a willingness to do the research!
Вот кто вам сказал что в ссср была ужасная политическая система?вы даже не предствляете как жилось людям в ссср.все были счастливы.преступности почти небыло.дома не закрывали на замок в селах.в городах конечно хулиганов было как и везде,но их быстро уму разуму обучали.было легко и свободно как в раю.продукты были качественные,маленько сьел и наелся,а сейчас ешь и не наедаешься.еда пустая.везде подделка.техника некачественная,одноразовая.одежда холодная.в ссср все натуральное было.шерстяное или хлопковое.люди не мерзли и не болели как сейчас.ночью не выйти.убьют или ограбят,а в ссср было безопасно.все жили одинаково.нищих небыло,но и наглых богачей тоже небыло.равноправие было.у вас так никогда не будет.да и у нас теперь тоже!
I had a douchebag "handyman" I let try on my "unique design" soviet watch w/ serial number on once (I don't know what I was thinking). Years later, it disappeared when I was in the hospital after I hit my head...NO I DON"T WANT IT BACK. YUCK. WHO KNOWS WHERE ITS BEEN SINCE THEN. I have a new watch now. BUT IT WAS STILL MY PROPERTY.
Хорошее видео, но насколько же англоязычным тяжело произносить русские фамилии и названия. Очень режет слух тотально неправильное произношение, даже не близкое к оригиналу.
Fair criticism
I want simple black digital watch....
Casio F-91w or W-59 would be good options
@@IlluminatingWatches ok I'll chack....
No....
The g-shock GMW-B5000GD-1 uses a STN-LCD and is my choice; the price may be high but its end result worthy. :)
This ain't how Russian looks like
[gab'u] not [gabus]
Not [sturmAnskie] but [shtUrmankie]
Thanks for the feedback 🙂
@@IlluminatingWatches Thanks for your amazing videos! Here's the thing. Visit Avito (Russian Ebay) and look for watches there. You'll be amazed at diversity and prices.