Wristwatch of the USSR. The history of all watch factories in the USSR The thinnest watches in the USSR

Watchmaking was well established in the USSR. In Soviet times, there were a dozen factories that annually produce hundreds of watch models. Most of the models had a unique design and were not inferior in quality to Swiss models.
After the collapse of the USSR, most of the many factories ceased to exist, and some brands of watches today have become a rarity.

"Navigators"

The legendary Soviet watch worn by Yuri Gagarin during the first flight into space. "Navigators" have been produced since 1949 at the Kirov Watch Factory. At first, the watches were attached to the graduates of the flight academy along with a diploma, and after that they became available to everyone. "Navigators" proved to be excellent in space, withstood overloads and became famous all over the world. In 2002, the Volmax company was able to revive the popular brand of men's watches, which to this day is engaged in their production.

"Ray"

The Luch watch is a mechanism of the highest quality, a super-thin case and the dream of any Soviet intellectual. The watch has been produced by the Minsk Watch Plant since the middle of the last century. In 1974, "Luch" was awarded a diploma at the Leipzig Fair for its sophisticated design and excellent workmanship. Watches of the same name are produced by the Minsk factory to this day. Today, some copies of the "Ray" are a coveted exhibit among collectors around the world.

"Victory"

The history of these watches is fully personified by their name. The first Pobeda watch was issued in 1946 in honor of the anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. The watch is part of the Pobeda series, invented by Stalin after the end of the war, which also included the legendary Soviet car of the same name. Until now, there are disputes about which plant was the first to produce the first copy of the watch: Kirovsky or Penza. Whatever it was, but "Victory" for many years enjoyed great popularity both in the Soviet Union and beyond.

"Seconda de lux"

In 1966, an export version of the Poljot watch was released under the brand name Seconda. This model was originally created for sale abroad and was not presented in the domestic market. Nevertheless, the Seconda de lux mechanical watch model soon appeared on the shelves of Soviet stores. The watch is also famous for being awarded as an award for achievements in the field of science and culture.

"Dawn"

The history of Zarya watches dates back to 1935, when the Soviet leadership decided to start producing women's watches. Women's models produced under the Zarya brand had a sophisticated design and a smaller case size. In order to reduce the clock mechanism by almost half, a new production was established at the plant and American machine tools were purchased. In addition to women's watches, several Zarya men's models were also produced in Soviet times. Most of the watches were mechanical, but Zarya and self-winding were also produced.

"Gull"

The Chaika watch has been manufactured at the Uglich watch factory since the mid-1950s. Prior to this, the factory specialized in the production of jewelry and needles for gram records. According to Novate.ru, in the Soviet era, Chaika watches were very popular both in the country and abroad. The “Chaika” differed from other models of Soviet watches by its Swiss design, and therefore they were not cheap. The plant that produced "The Seagull" still exists today, producing wristwatches, jewelry and decorative elements.

"Rocket"

The legendary Soviet watch “Raketa” has been manufactured at the oldest watch factory in Russia, the Petrodvorets plant, since the 1960s. "Raketa" is one of the few Soviet watches that were presented in more than 25 countries. The watch is distinguished by a wide choice of models with different scales for engineers, polar explorers and even for the blind. "Rocket" was made with a mechanical mechanism, self-winding, and later in an electronic version. Leonid Brezhnev regularly wore a Raketa watch made entirely of gold.

"Glory"

The history of the Slava brand dates back to 1924, from the 1950s, when the Second Moscow Watch Factory began to manufacture models of mechanical and electronic watches under this brand. The Slava model with a silver case and sapphire crystal was especially appreciated. Even now, watches under the Slava brand have not lost their popularity and are leaders in terms of sales in Russia.

"Flight"

Fashion watches under the Poljot brand have been produced by the First Moscow Watch Factory since 1964. Many mistakenly believe that Gagarin flew into space with this watch on his hand, which in fact was just a publicity stunt. "Flight" was actively used by military sailors and pilots, as well as during polar expeditions. For more than 50 years of history, watches have not lost their glory and quality. Today, Poljot watches are represented in more than 50 countries around the world.

"Electronics"

In the USSR, classical mechanical watches were more popular, but closer to the collapse of the Union, electronic models gained wide popularity. Watches of the Elektronika brand, produced by the Minsk watch factory Integral since 1973, were in special demand. In terms of design, the “Electronics” models sometimes looked like the Japanese “Casio” watches, while always having their own zest.

In the Soviet Union, watch production was well established, around 10 factories were productively working throughout the country, which produced more than 100 watch brands. Manufactories produced precise movements that were not inferior to Swiss ones, while having an excellent well-thought-out design. Today, when the watch industry in the post-Soviet space is practically destroyed, Soviet watches are a rarity and their price is more than one hundred dollars.

This is the brainchild of the oldest in Russia, the Petrodvorets watch factory. Today, this plant is also built in, and during the Soviet era it was one of the largest watch factories, and exported its products to more than 30 countries. The plant produces a variety of models, including automatic, with a calendar, with different scales for professionals and even watches for the blind. Leonid Brezhnev wore one of the Rocket models of this factory, made of gold. The modern analogue of this famous model RAKETA W-15-50-10-0009 Ballerina 009. The watch is made of stainless steel with gilding, has a size of 30.5 x 9mm. Inside the watch is a quartz movement Quartz 763, and the water resistance of the case is 50 meters.

The history of the First Moscow Watch Factory has more than 80 years and the models of this manufacturer have not lost the glory of high-precision and reliable watches. Polyot actively cooperated with aviation and navy, as well as for scientific expeditions and in rocket and space activities. Since 1940, Poljot watches have become a standard accessory for officers of the Soviet Army. Watch Poljot was in space with Yuri Gagarin. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the formation of Russia, the plant did not fall apart and since 1992 has been a premium watch brand. Poljot watches for export are produced under the Sekonda de Luxe brand.

Watches of this brand date back to 1935, when the decision of the USSR government was to organize the production of women's watches on the basis of the Frunze Penza watch factory, while it was decided to use the in-line assembly method. The mechanism of the new Zarya watch was half the size of the Zvezda watch mechanism produced at this plant before the renewal of production. The thinnest women's watch that women wore on their wrists was the Zarya-5 watch. Today, the factory produces watches and Zarya Solo is popular. This is an elegant sophisticated watch with balance wheel protection. The watch case is made of rhodium-plated brass. The 1509B.1 movement is installed inside the watch, which runs on 17 jewels and has a power reserve of 40 hours. The water resistance of the watch case is 30 meters.

The first watch appeared at the plant in Uglich in 1937, and the first watch was assembled from the parts of the Penza Watch Factory, and this watch was called Pobeda. Only some time later, Chaika set up the production of his own women's watches Chaika, which were in great demand both in the USSR and abroad. The watch even received a gold medal at the Leipzig International Fair. Today this plant offers two collections: Classic Collection and Art Collection. The first consists of classic wristwatches, pocket watches, pendant watches and ring watches. The latter use folk motifs, painting, enamel, ornamental and semi-precious stones in the design and decoration of watches.

These watches are produced at the Second Moscow Watch Factory and were one of the most popular in the 70s and 80s. The plant was founded in 1924 and initially produced clocks, outdoor electric clocks and alarm clocks. And since the 50s, the production of electronic-mechanical watches has been launched. Today, Slava watches also do not lose popularity and are almost always among the leaders in terms of sales. One of the latest models of the manufactory is Derzhava D034-54-2824 watch with a mechanism produced in-house by Slava 2824. The watch case of this model is made of silver and has a diameter of 39mm, and the dial is covered with sapphire glass.

These watches were produced at the Minsk watch factory. In the 60s, every intellectual dreamed of getting a Luch watch on his wrist. The Minsk Watch Plant is the founder of the watch industry in Belarus. The watches were produced of high quality and in 1974 were awarded a gold medal at the Leipzig Fair, and specifically the Luch-1816 women's watch with automatic winding and date display. Today, the ultra-flat men's watch Luch with the 2209 movement and the case size of 39mm in diameter, made of stainless steel and covered with gold, released in the USSR, is a desirable exhibit for collectors.

Original taken from jurashz in Soviet times clock

Everything connected with time was of particular importance in the USSR. In particular, a good watch on the wrist made an ordinary engineer or doctor an object worthy of female attention. Well, what else is there to stand out? Everyone had approximately the same clothes, hairstyles - within the acceptable standard, salary - within the acceptable tariff rate. And some “Ray”, “Rocket” or “Electronics” talked about financial opportunities and character traits ...

After the Great October Revolution, the Bolsheviks got a very meager "legacy" in the field of watchmaking. Until 1919, the Clock Agency, which is a structural subdivision of the Supreme Council of the National Economy (VSNKh), oversaw watchmaking in the country.

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

In an attempt to establish their own production, Soviet diplomats are 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 clocks.

Thus, the purchased enterprises become the basis for the creation of the 1st and 2nd State Watch Factories, which began to work in Moscow already in the 1930s. And the "First State Factory of Fine Technical Stones" (TTK-1), created in Peterhof on the basis of a stone-cutting factory in 1931, starts 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 - alarm clocks and electric watches for businesses.

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

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

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the creation of another well-known Soviet watch factory "Chistopol", opened in the Republic of Tatarstan on an emergency basis, is connected. 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 street watches. clock.

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

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

In 1949, the production of “Shturmanskie” watches was mastered especially for the Air Force, which did not enter the trade. On April 12, 1961, this watch went into space.

Each era chooses its iconic watch models. In the early 60s, they were the Shturmansky-Gagarin, and then the cult Strela, which cosmonaut Alexei Leonov wore on his arm when going out into outer space. This fact was of great importance during the Cold War and rivalry with the West. Say, not your "Omega" went into space, but our "Strela", produced by the First Watch Factory.

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

By the way, for those who do not know what the number of stones means (in this case, 23 stones), and what they are for. In childhood, when asked about the pebbles in the watch, adults usually joked that the watch allegedly lacked a couple more stones. Put on one, and slam the other.

In fact, the number of stones indicated the number of ruby ​​stones that were used as plain bearings on the trunnions of the gears.

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

The most popular gift for women! Luch watch. Many of them probably still have and still work.

The largest wrist watch that I have come across is our Soviet diving watch.

A little about modern copies of diving watches. The Chelyabinsk Watch Factory in the post-perestroika period produced a lot of souvenir watches made in the same case and design as the ZChZ underwater watch. However, the technology was violated - chrome-plated brass was used instead of steel, and they completely forgot about water protection. As a result, such remakes leak, break, 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 the Arbat is full of “Soviet underwater clocks”, which are in fact nothing more than a dummy. Due to the 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 it, and how would a diver hear it ???). The watch often comes with a new set of documents dated 1970-1980.

The main achievement of the 70s was the electronic watch of the Elektronika brand. They glowed, squeaked and amazed everyone with their modern chrome design. From that moment on, everyone was chasing just such, alluring with their graphic figures.

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

Children's and youth watches of the USSR.

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

The USSR also produced gold watches.

Leonid Brezhnev wore a gold Raketa watch, which was designed in the 60s.

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

Many, of course, will have a question: "What is the most expensive wristwatch produced in the USSR"?
One of the most expensive watches is the post-war Kirov Hrones. Very beautiful.

Very rare super thin Flight. If it pops up somewhere, it will cost sky-high.

The watch industry is a branch of instrument making, including the production of household time measuring devices, which include wrist and pocket watches, alarm clocks, table, wall and floor clocks, public use clocks for buildings and enterprises, as well as technical and special time devices for transport, stopwatches , timers, chronographs, time relays and various watch movements that act as a precision drive.

In Russia, handicraft production of tower clocks has been known since the 15th century. At the end of the 19th century Petersburg, the production of chronometers and deck clocks for the navy was organized. In pre-revolutionary Russia, consumer watches were assembled from imported parts at enterprises owned mainly by Swiss companies: “P. Bure, Moser, Langendorf.

in the USSR in the early 1920s. At the Aviapribor plant in Moscow, the production of the simplest pendulum clock-clocks and the assembly of alarm clocks were organized, partly from imported parts. The foundations of industrial watch production were laid in 1929-30, when the 1st and 2nd Moscow watch factories were launched. In 1931, 42 thousand pieces were produced. pocket watches, in 1935 their release was brought to 192 thousand pieces. In the 40s. in the USSR there were 3 watch factories, 2 watch stone factories and 1 factory for the manufacture of wooden cases for watches.

During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45, the watch industry produced defense products, but since 1944 the production of household watches began to recover. In 1944-52, watch factories were built in Serdobsk, Yerevan, Petrodvorets, Uglich, a research institute for the watch industry, and a watch machine tool design bureau; the production of clockwork springs, watch spirals made of elinvar alloy, watch stones made of ruby, watch oils was launched, which in turn made it possible to master the production of the most popular watches of the brands Pobeda, Zvezda, Salyut, Molniya.

In the mid 70s. mechanical wristwatches of the USSR are widely exported: "Seagull", "Dawn", "Slava", "Rocket", "Flight" and alarm clocks "Slava", "Sevani", etc.

In 1975, over 15 enterprises producing household watches had a subject specialization: the Penza Watch Factory produces women's watches, the 1st Moscow - men's watches, Orlovsky - table, wall clocks and alarm clocks, Yerevan - alarm clocks, etc.

TSB, 1969-1978

However, unfortunately, only a few enterprises were able to survive the collapse of the USSR and the transition to a market economy ...

A brief history of watch factories in the USSR:

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 United States in 1929 helped solve the problem. After that, watch factories appeared in the USSR.

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

During the Great Patriotic War, watches were of the first importance for combat operations. In Tatarstan, the Chistopol watch factory was opened on an emergency basis, which made watches specifically for the military.

After the victory over Germany, special attention was paid to the watch industry. A special mechanical watch K-26 Pobeda was produced. The first watch models, including Pobeda, were approved personally by Stalin. For Pobeda, he reviewed and approved the design and specifications.

Anniversary clock

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

Certain models of watches were produced in a strictly limited edition: "Strela" was produced only for the commanders of the Soviet flying troops.

Movement features

The so-called Soviet diving watch is currently popular. 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 on trunnions, which are usually made of metal and therefore wear out quickly, in Soviet watches were made using rubies. The stones are practically not erased, so these watches are distinguished by their special longevity. The more rubies were in the watch mechanism, the longer they worked. Some of the old clocks still run great today. The highest quality mechanisms totaled up to 30 rubies.