History of all watch factories in the USSR. Soviet watches The best Soviet self-winding watches

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

"Shturmanskie"



Legendary Soviet watch worn by Yuri Gagarin during his first space flight. "Shturmanskie" were produced since 1949 at the Kirov Watch Factory. At first, the watch was attached to the graduates of the flight academy along with a diploma, and then it became available to everyone. "Shturmanskie" showed themselves excellently in space, withstood the overload and became famous all over the world. The popular brand of men's watches in 2002 was revived by the Volmax company, 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 a dream of any Soviet intellectual. The Minsk Watch Factory has been producing watches 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. The watches of the same name are produced by the Minsk factory to this day. Today, some copies of "Luch" are a coveted exhibit among collectors around the world.

"Victory"



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

"Seconda de lux"



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

"Zarya"



The history of Zarya watches dates back to 1935, when the Soviet leadership decided to start producing women's wristwatches. Women's models produced under the Zarya brand had a sophisticated design and a smaller case size. In order to reduce the watch mechanism by almost half, a new production was established at the plant and American machines 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 automatic winding were also produced.

"Gull"



Chaika watches have 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. From other models of Soviet watches "Chaika" differed in Swiss design, and therefore were not cheap. The plant that produced "Chaika" exists today, producing watches, jewelry and decorative elements.

"Rocket"



The legendary Soviet watch "Raketa" has been manufactured at the oldest watch factory in Russia, the Petrodvortsov Plant since the 1960s. "Raketa" is one of the few Soviet watches that were presented in more than 25 countries. The watch was distinguished by a wide selection of models with various scales for engineers, polar explorers and even the blind. The "Raketa" was manufactured with a mechanical movement, 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 produce models of mechanical and electronic wristwatches 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 leading in terms of sales in Russia.

"Flight"



Fashion watches by the Polet brand have been produced by the First Moscow Watch Factory since 1964. Many people mistakenly believe that Gagarin flew into space with this watch on his wrist, which was actually 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, the watches have not lost their fame and quality. Today watches under the Poljot brand are presented in more than 50 countries around the world.

"Electronics"



In the USSR, classic mechanical watches were more popular, but electronic models also gained wide popularity closer to the collapse of the Union. Watches of the Elektronika brand, produced by the Minsk watch factory Integral since 1973, were in great demand. By design, the "Electronics" models sometimes resembled the Japanese "Casio" watches, while always having their own flavor.

At first, there were no good watch factories in the Soviet Union. All the owners of watch factories left the country after the revolution, so it took a long time to establish the production of high-quality chronographs. Diplomats negotiated with Swiss factories, but only the purchase of two bankrupt watch factories in the United States in 1929 helped to solve the problem. After that, watch factories appeared in the USSR.

In the 1930s, there were two watch factories in Moscow, they were called Plants of Precise 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 the industry and alarm clocks.

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

After the victory over Germany, the watch industry received special attention. A special mechanical watch K-26 "Pobeda" was produced. The first watch models, including "Victory", were personally approved by Stalin. For Pobeda, he reviewed and approved the design and 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, very famous models on the space theme, such as "Shturmanskie-Gagarin", made in honor of the first flight into space, "Strela" - these watches were on the wrist of Alexei Leonov and withstood being in outer space. The Poljot watches, which were made especially for pilots, have a very good reputation.


Certain watch models were produced in a strictly limited edition: "Strela" was produced only for the command personnel of the Soviet flight forces.

Mechanism features


The so-called Soviet diving watch is popular nowadays. 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.

The 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 are practically not erased, therefore such watches are distinguished by a special longevity. The more rubies there were in the watch mechanism, the longer it worked. Some of the older clocks still run fine. The highest quality mechanisms consisted of up to 30 rubies.

The watch industry is a branch of instrument making, which includes the production of household time measuring devices, which include wrist and pocket clocks, alarm clocks, table, wall and grandfather clocks, public 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 tower clocks have been known since the 15th century. At the end of the 19th century. In St. 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 factories owned primarily by Swiss firms: “P. Bure "," Moser "," Langendorf ".

In the USSR in the early 20s. at the Aviapribor plant in Moscow, the production of the simplest pendulum clocks and the assembly of alarm clocks was organized, partially from imported parts. The foundations of the industrial production of watches were laid in 1929-30, when the 1st and 2nd Moscow Watch Plants were launched. In 1931, 42 thousand units were produced. pocket watches, in 1935 their production 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 already in 1944, the production of household watches began to recover. In 1944-52, watch factories were built in Serdobsk, Yerevan, Petrodvorets, Uglich, a research institute of the watch industry, and a design bureau of watch machine tools; the production of winding springs, watch spirals made of elinvar alloy, ruby ​​watch stones, and watch oils was launched, which in turn allowed the production of highly popular watches of the Pobeda, Zvezda, Salut, and Molniya brands.

In the mid 70s. mechanical wrist watches of the USSR are widely exported: "Chaika", "Zarya", "Slava", "Raketa", "Flight" and alarm clocks "Slava", "Sevani", etc.

In 1975, more than 15 enterprises producing household watches had subject specialization: the Penza Watch Factory produces wrist watches for women, 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:

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

The USSR brand came into being thanks to the great legacy of the Soviet Union. The watches reflect the popular nowadays ideas of Back in the USSR and the unique style and traditions of Soviet watches. The original idea of ​​the USSR watch is 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 started producing exclusive collection watches. Along with the watches of the USSR, this famous watchmaker has 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.


The inspiration for each collection was the legendary symbols of the Soviet Union - the first space satellite, the fastest fighter, the world's best nuclear submarines, the exploits of the first cosmonaut. The lightest and deliberately stylized Soviet watch series Saint Petersburg reflects the romantic atmosphere of the city on the Neva.

The USSR brand has released 14 collections. All of them are characterized by a variety of mechanisms, models and designs. Fans of collectible watches will like the models with the Slava 2427 movement, the last batch of which was purchased specifically for the production of USSR watches. In addition to Slava 2427, the watches also use other automatic and quartz movements of Japanese and Swiss production. Despite their different origins, they all have one thing in common - impeccable quality. And in design he found a rethinking of the military style. Massive hulls with original details, often stylized as military elements, look very modern and youthful. Thanks to non-standard color solutions, the watches are combined with different styles of clothing.


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 up-to-date design. Among the collections of the USSR, there really is something to choose and what to admire, starting with the extraordinary design of the dial, and ending with the work of an excellent clock mechanism, which can be seen through the translucent cover of the watch case.

The production of watches was excellently established in the Soviet Union, about 10 factories were productively operating throughout the country, which produced more than 100 watch brands. The manufactories produced precise movements that were not inferior to the 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 Petrodvorets watch factory. Today I will also build this plant, and in the days of the USSR 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 various scales for professionals and even watches for the blind. Leonid Brezhnev wore one of the Rocket models of this plant, made of gold. A modern analogue of this famous model RAKETA W-15-50-10-0009 Ballerina 009. The watch is made of stainless steel with gold plating and has a size of 30.5 x 9mm. The quartz movement Quartz 763 is installed inside the watch, and the water resistance of the case is 50 meters.

The history of the First Moscow Watch Factory is more than 80 years old and the models of this manufacturer have not lost the glory of high-precision and reliable watches. The flight actively collaborated with aviation and the navy, as well as for scientific expeditions and in rocket and space activities. Since 1940, Poljot watches have become a regular accessory for officers of the Soviet Army. Flight Watch was in space with Yuri Gagarin. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the formation of Russia, the factory did not disintegrate and since 1992 it has been an award-winning watch brand. Poljot watches for export are produced under the Sekonda de Luxe brand.

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

The first watches appeared at the plant in Uglich in 1937, and the first watches were assembled from parts of the Penza watch plant, and this watch was called Pobeda. Only after some time did he set up the production of his own women's wrist 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 signet rings. The latter use folk motives, painting, enamel, semi-precious 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 70-80s. The plant was founded in 1924 and initially produced walkers, street 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 the watch Derzhava D034-54-2824 with a mechanism produced in-house by the Slava 2824 company. The watch case of this model is made of silver and has a diameter of 39 mm, and the dial is covered with a sapphire crystal.

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 Factory is the ancestor 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, specifically the women's watch Luch-1816 with automatic winding and date indication. Today, the super-flat men's watch Luch with the movement 2209 and the case size 39mm in diameter, made of stainless steel and plated with gold, released in the USSR, is a desirable exhibit for collectors.

 

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