Saint-Petersburg, Russia. April 2024. Raketa Polar – a watch created specially for polar expeditions – is back in Raketa’s permanent collection with a new design.
The journey beyond the polar circle is thorny and difficult: it requires great strength and long distances travelled in extreme conditions, both by land and sea. Following its long tradition of making watches for polar explorers, Raketa has developed a model for people who are ready to set out to conquer these boundless spaces.
The 24-hour dial is essential for time-reading beyond the polar circles where polar day and polar night can last for up to 6 months each. Six lines divide the perimeter of the dial into 6 quarters (4 hours each) allowing each crewmember to keep count of his watches/shifts during maritime expeditions. Another unique feature of the dial is the special Superluminova coating that reminds northern lights. It covers the entire surface of the dial and hands, ensuring perfect legibility even in total polar darkness.
The solid and robust case, with straight facets and sharp angles, is particularly adapted to the rigours of polar expeditions. The design of this case is harmoniously completed with a stainless-steel bracelet emphasising the masculine character of this timepiece.
The rotating bezel is engraved and enamelled with the name of all the Arctic ocean seas and their respective time zones, which allows using the GMT function. This 24-hour watch with a rotating bezel can be also used as a solar compass both in the northern and southern hemispheres.
The back of the watch reveals the beautifully decorated automatic movement which is entirely produced by the Raketa Watch Factory in Saint-Petersburg. The finishing of the rotor is reminiscent of northern lights.
Each Raketa Polar watch has a certificate confirming its technical fitness for use in the harshest natural conditions of polar regions. The certificate is issued within the frame of the “Arctic voluntary certification system” by the Nizhny Novgorod Testing Centre.
The price
The cost of the watch is 2.000 EUR (VAT included)/ $2,930 CAD. For the comfort of our customers, Raketa watches are delivered worldwide free of charge by DHL directly up to their front door.
Specifications
Factory:
Raketa Watch Factory (Saint-Petersburg)
Movement:
Calibre:
2624A
Functions:
Automatic
Number of jewels:
24
Testing positions:
4
Average rate (s/d):
-10+20
Average running time (h):
40
Frequency/hour:
18.000 / 2.5Hz
Bi-directional automatic winding
Yes
Stopper of self-winding unit activated during manual winding:
The “Russian Code”, one of Raketa’s most recognizable models with a counterclockwise movement, is finally launched as part of Raketa’s main collection. The watch is crafted in an all-new case: a combination of sharp facets and rounded curves are enhanced by a mix of satin-brushed finishing with polished edges, while the sapphire glass has a more complex domed shape. A synthetic ruby is yet another update of the case: it glows behind Raketa factory’s logo carved on the side of the crown.
The centre of the dial displays the constellations over St. Petersburg on the morning of April 12, 1961, when Yuri Gagarin made history by becoming the first man to fly into space. Textured polished indexes with two types of coatings (light rhodium on even and dark on odd numerals) convey an extra 3-dimensional aspect to the already multilayered dial.
Behind the elegant design lies the revolutionary concept that time should move in harmony with the natural counterclockwise movement of the planets in our Solar System. Therefore, just like the planets around the Sun, the hands of the Raketa “Russian Code” rotate in a counterclockwise direction around the dial. The case back reveals a beautifully decorated automatic movement entirely manufactured and assembled at the Raketa Watch Factory in Saint-Petersburg. Are you ready to move on to the new generation of watches that tick to the beat of the Universe?
A watch that invites you to be different
To wear this watch, you will have to break free from the most fundamental rule of time-reading — the clockwise movement of time that was taught to us from ancestral times. Indeed, early people read the time with sundials by observing the clockwise movement of the sun in the sky (from left to right) and of the corresponding shade on the dial (from right to left). When our ancestors finally invented the concept of hands (instead of shade) moving around a dial, they naturally decided to keep this clockwise movement that they observed in nature
However, there is a serious flaw in this decision: the Sun doesn’t move clockwise in the sky. It’s an illusion — it actually doesn’t move at all. It is the Earth that moves in a counterclockwise direction around the Sun!
The sun follows a clockwise movement in the sky when it is seen from the Earth’s northern hemisphere: in the southern hemisphere, it goes in the opposite direction. The reason why early watchmakers decided to replicate on dials the clockwise movement as seen in the northern hemisphere is simply because this is where they always lived (and as a matter of fact where 90% of the world population has always lived).
The Raketa Watch Factory corrected this mistake by designing a watch where the movement of time follows the natural movement in the Universe. This watch is certainly not for the faint-hearted but rather for people who are willing to stand out from the crowd and be different!
A watch that is true to Raketa’s DNA
By following the movement in the Solar System, this watch underlines the link between Raketa and the Cosmos: the brand Raketa (which means “Space Rocket” in Russian) was created in 1961 in honour of the first manned space flight by the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. Since then, Raketa’s designers and engineers were always inspired by space and regularly made watches for cosmonauts and watches celebrating the Solar System.
A watch with a very special movement
The counterclockwise movement of the hands is powered by a very special Raketa automatic movement (2615R). The engineers of the Raketa Watch Factory inverted the movement of the hands by changing the construction of the 2 most important parts of the mechanical movement: the mainspring barrel and the anchor module! This engineering feat could only be accomplished because Raketa produces in-house 100% of these parts.
Price
The watch costs 1950 Euros (VAT included)/ $2,865 cad. All Raketa watches are delivered worldwide by DHL free of charge.
Specifications Factory: Raketa Watch Factory (Saint-Petersburg) Movement:
Calibre: 2615 CR Functions: Automatic with reverse direction of hands Number of jewels: 24 Testing positions: 4 Average rate (s/d): -10+20 Average running time (h): 40 Frequency/hour: 18.000 / 2.5Hz Bi-directional automatic winding: Yes Stopper of self-winding unit activated during manual winding: Yes Decoration: Nanocoating Neva waves Print
Case:
Material: Stainless steel Diameter: 39,5 mm Front glass: Sapphire Back glass: Mineral Crown: Synthetic ruby stone inside the crown Water resistance: 5 ATM Hands: Superluminova
Strap/bracelet:
Material: Genuine leather Width: 22 mm Sex: Unisex
Officially made from a piece of metal of a “Soyuz” space launcher and from the fabric of a space suit “Sokol”, this Raketa “Space Launcher” watch brings you very close to the experience of flying to space.
Officially made from a piece of metal of a “Soyuz” space launcher and from the fabric of a space suit “Sokol”, this Raketa 24-hour watch brings you very close to the experience of flying to space.
All of the incredible achievements of Soviet/Russian cosmonauts over the past 60 years would not have been possible without the famous Soyuz space launcher. Thanks to its simplicity and reliability, this iconic space rocket has made over 1.700 flights since it was first engineered in the 1960s, and remains to this day by far the most frequently used space launcher in the world.
This watch is a tribute to this iconic space launcher.
Its bezel is made from a metal piece of the space launcher “Soyuz-2.1a” which took off on 14 October 2020 and made a record breaking 3 hour flight from the Baikonur launch pad to the ISS!
The cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, who were sent to space by this space launcher, actively participated in the design and production of this watch. They both insisted that the only crucial complication needed in space is a 24-hour movement to enable them to distinguish day from night in the ISS (where they have 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours).
To bring you even closer to the experience of flying in the Soyuz rocket, the cosmonauts also suggested making the strap from the fabric of the famous Russian space suit “Sokol” that is worn by all cosmonauts flying in the Soyuz rocket. This space suit, made from a very robust white nylon canvas with royal blue trim, has all the features necessary to keep the cosmonaut alive at all times during the space flight in the Soyuz.
While you are still on Earth, you can wear the watch with a leather strap (this additional strap is offered with the watch). Both the “space suit” strap & leather strap have a « quick-change » system so that you can easily change them depending on where you are: training on Earth or flying to Space!
This watch is officially designed and produced in collaboration with the Russian Space Agency “Roscosmos”.
Each watch is delivered with a certificate of Roscosmos certifying the true origin of the rocket metal and the space suit fabric. The collaboration between Roscosmos and Raketa made perfect sense:
The brand “Raketa” (which means “space rocket” in Russian) was specially created in tribute to the first ever manned spaceflight by the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in 1961. Since then, the Raketa Watch Factory accompanied every step of the space conquest by engineering watches for Soviet/Russian cosmonauts.
The Raketa mechanical movement was developed in the 60s and is well known for its simple & robust engineering construction: exactly like the “Soyuz” rocket launcher also developed in the 60s, which, thanks to its simplicity & reliability, has become the most used space rocket in the world.
See you in space!
Description of the watch
The Raketa “Space Launcher” model is limited to:
300 pieces with white dials; and
300 pieces with blue aventurine dials (reminding the sparkling stars in space).
It has the following features:
The bezel is made from a metal piece of the actual “Soyuz-2.1a” launcher that took off on 14 October 2020 and made a record breaking 3 hour flight from the Baikonur launch pad to the ISS! The full name of the space rocket (as well as the cardinal marks) is engraved in Russian on the bezel.
The strap (with a “quick change” system) is made from the real fabric of the famous Russian “Sokol” space suit that is worn by all cosmonauts/astronauts who fly on the Soyuz rocket.
The second hand is represented by the Earth revolving around its axis.
The seconds’ scale (printed on the sapphire glass)emphasises on the countdown to launch (last 10 seconds).
The movement is beautifully decorated with constellations printed on the bridges of the movement and a special coating on the rotor.
A few design elements discreetly pay tribute to the first manned space flight by Yuri Gagarin:
The design of the hour & minute hands replicates the hands on the control panel of Gagarin’s spacecraft.
On the model with a white dial, the countdown printed on the sapphire glass is followed by the word “Poyekhali!” (Let’s go!) that Gagarin pronounced as he flew off.
Each watch is delivered with:
a complimentary leather strap (with a “quick change” system),
a brochure providing more detailed information,
the official insignia of this space mission; and
a certificate of Roscosmos (certifying the true origin of the rocket metal and the space suit fabric).
Price of the watches
The Raketa “Space Launcher” is offered in 2 versions:
with a white dial: its price is 1.458 Euros (without VAT);
dark blue aventurine dial: its price is 1.542 Euros (without VAT)
For the comfort of customers, Raketa watches are delivered worldwide free of charge by DHL within 2 to 5 days.
Specifications of the Raketa “Space Launcher” watch:
Factory:
Raketa Watch Factory (Saint-Petersburg)
Movement:
Raketa
Calibre:
2624A
Functions:
Automatic with 24 hours
Number of jewels:
24
Testing positions:
4
Average rate (s/d):
-10+20
Average running time (h):
40
Frequency/hour:
18.000 / 2.5Hz
Bi-directional automatic winding:
Yes
Stopper of self-winding unit activated during manual winding:
Yes
Decoration:
Print
Case:
Material:
Stainless steel
Rotating bezel:
Metal piece of the “Soyuz-2.1a” launcher
Size:
43 mm
Front glass:
Sapphire
Back glass:
Mineral
Crown:
Screwed-in crown
Water resistance:
20 АТМ
Hands:
Superluminova
Dial:
Version 1: white dial (with Superluminova);Version 2: dark blue aventurine stone dial (with Superluminova)
Strap/bracelet:
Material:
Fabric from “Sokol” space suit Genuine leather (additional strap)
Width:
22 mm
Sex:
Man
French version
RAKETA ”SPACE LAUNCHER”
Une montre qui vous propulsera dans l’espace !
Faites l’expérience de voler dans l’espace
Fabriquée à partir d’un morceau de métal d’un lanceur spatial “Soyouz” et d’un morceau de tissu du scaphandre spatial “Sokol”, cette montre Raketa 24 heures vous permet d’accéder au plus près de l’expérience de voler dans l’espace.
Sans le célèbre lanceur spatial “Soyouz”, aucun des exploits incroyables des cosmonautes soviétiques/russes des 60 dernières années n’aurait été possible. Grâce à sa simplicité et à sa fiabilité, cette fusée spatiale emblématique a effectué plus de 1.700 vols depuis sa conception dans les années “60” et reste à ce jour et de loin le lanceur le plus utilisé dans le monde.
Cette montre rend hommage à ce lanceur spatial emblématique. Sa lunette est confectionnée à partir d’une pièce de métal provenant du lanceur spatial “Soyouz-2.1a” qui a décollé le 14 octobre 2020 et a effectué un vol record de 3 heures depuis la base de lancement de Baïkonour jusqu’à la station “ISS”.
Les cosmonautes Sergey Ryzhikov et Sergey Koud-Skvertchkov, qui ont été envoyés dans l’espace avec ce lanceur spatial, ont activement participé à la conception et à la production de cette montre. Ils ont tous deux insisté sur le fait que la seule complication nécessaire était un mouvement 24 heures permettant de distinguer le jour de la nuit dans l’ISS (où ils voient 16 levers et couchers du soleil par 24 heures).
Pour vous rapprocher le plus près possible de l’expérience d’un vol dans la fusée Soyouz, les cosmonautes ont également suggéré de fabriquer le bracelet à partir du tissu du célèbre scaphandre spatial russe “Sokol” que portent tous les cosmonautes empruntant le vaisseau Soyouz. Ce scaphandre, fait en toile de nylon blanc très robuste avec des garnitures bleu roi, possède toutes les caractéristiques nécessaires pour assurer la survie du cosmonaute à tout moment du vol spatial dans le vaisseau Soyouz.
Tant que vous êtes encore sur terre, vous pouvez porter cette montre avec un bracelet en cuir (ce bracelet supplémentaire est offert avec la montre). Le bracelet “spatial” et le bracelet en cuir sont tous deux munis d’un système “quick change” qui vous permet de facilement les changer en fonction de là où vous êtes : à l’entrainement sur terre ou volant vers l’espace !
Cette montre est officiellement conçue et produite en collaboration avec l’agence spatiale russe “Roscosmos”. Chaque montre est livrée avec un certificat de Roscosmos certifiant l’origine du métal de la fusée et du tissu de scaphandre spatial. La collaboration entre Roscosmos et Raketa allait de soi :
La marque Raketa (qui signifie “fusée spatiale” en russe) a été spécialement fondée en hommage au premier vol spatial habité du cosmonaute russe Youri Gagarine en 1961. Depuis, la Manufacture horlogère Raketa a accompagné chaque étape de la conquête de l’espace en concevant des montres pour les cosmonautes soviétiques/russes.
Le mouvement mécanique Raketa a été développé dans les années “60” et est réputé pour sa construction à la fois simple et robuste, exactement de la même façon que le lanceur “Soyouz” qui, également développé dans les années “60”, est devenu, grâce à sa simplicité et à sa fiabilité, le lanceur le plus utilisé dans le monde.
Rendez-vous dans l’espace !
Description de la montre
Le modèle Raketa “Space launcher” est limité à :
300 pièces avec cadrans blancs, et
300 pièces avec cadrans en aventurine bleue (rappelant les étoiles scintillant dans l’espace).
Il présente les caractéristiques suivantes:
La lunette est fabriquée à partir d’un morceau de métal original provenant du lanceur “Soyouz-2.1a” qui a décollé le 14 octobre 2020 et a effectué un vol record de 3 heures depuis la base de lancement de Baïkonour jusqu’à l’ISS! Le nom complet du vaisseau spatial (de même que les points cardinaux) est gravé en russe sur la lunette.
Le bracelet (muni d’un système “quick change”) est fabriqué à partir du tissu original provenant du scaphandre spatial russe “Sokol” porté par tous les cosmonautes/astronautes empruntant le vaisseau Soyouz.
La graduation des secondes (imprimée sur le verre en saphir) met l’accent sur le compte à rebours avant le lancement (10 dernières secondes).
Le mouvement est magnifiquement décoré de constellations imprimées sur les ponts et d’un revêtement spécial sur la masse oscillante.
Quelques éléments rendent discrètement hommage au premier vol spatial habité de Youri Gagarine :
Le design des aiguilles des heures et des minutes reproduit les aiguilles du tableau de bord du vaisseau spatial de Gagarine.
Sur le modèle à cadran blanc, le compte à rebours imprimé sur le verre en saphir est suivi du mot “Poyekhali !” (C’est parti !) que Gagarine a prononcé en décollant.
Chaque montre est livrée avec :
un second bracelet en cuir (muni d’un système “quick change”),
une brochure fournissant des informations plus détaillées,
l’insigne officiel de cette mission spatiale et
un certificat de Roscosmos (certifiant l’origine du métal de fusée et du tissu du scaphandre spatial).
La montre “Space Launch” est proposée en deux versions :
Avec un cadran blanc au prix de 1.458 Euros (hors TVA)
Avec cadran en aventurine bleu au prix de 1.542 Euros (hors TVA)
Pour le confort des clients, les montres Raketa sont livrées dans le monde entier gratuitement par DHL en 2 à 5 jours.
Spécifications de la montre Raketa “Space Launcher”:
Manufacture :
Manufacture de montres Raketa (Saint-Pétersbourg)
Mouvement :
Raketa
Calibre:
2624А
Fonctions :
Automatique avec 24 heures
Nombre de rubis :
24
Positions de réglages :
4
Marche moyenne (s/j) :
-10+20
Réserve de marche moyenne (h) :
40
Fréquence/heure :
18.000 / 2.5Hz
Remontage automatique bidirectionnel :
Oui
Système de débrayage du module automatique lors du remontage manuel:
Oui
Décoration :
Décalque/revêtement
Boitier :
Matériau :
Acier inoxydable
Lunette rotative
Métal provenant du lanceur spatial “Soyouz-2.1a”
Diamètre :
43 mm
Glace côté cadran :
Sapphire
Glace arrière :
Minéral
Couronne :
Couronne vissée
Etanchéité :
20 АТМ
Aiguilles :
Superluminova
Cadran :
Version 1 : cadran blanc white (avec Superluminova);Version 2 : cadran en aventurine bleu foncé (avec Superluminova)
Bracelet :
Matériau :
Tissu du scaphandre “Sokol”Cuir véritable (bracelet supplémentaire)
