The origin of the ‘Poljot’ brand

[Chascomm]

Does anybody have any information about the origin of the Poljot brand and when it was introduced in its various forms?

This is what I’ve picked up so far:

According to the official history on the old Poljot site, watches branded ‘Poljot’ were introduced in 1960. I guess these are the ones signed Полет (in the cursive script), and probably only for the domestic market.

I have an export Sportivnie from around 1961 signed POLJOT (in the familiar block capitals).

The official date at which ПОЛЕТ (sorry, can’t get the correct font but you get the idea) and POLJOT were adopted as the overall brand for the 1st Moscow Watch Factory was 1964.

Where did the name come from, and is there a particular significance in the meaning of ‘Poljot’/’Flight’?

And are there any other stages to the development of the name other than what I’ve listed above?

[Mark Gordon]

Does anybody have any information about the origin of the Poljot brand and when it was introduced in its various forms?

Where did the name come from, and is there a particular significance in the meaning of ‘Poljot’/’Flight’?

And are there any other stages to the development of the name other than what I’ve listed above?

Hi Chascomm --

I remember reading somewhere that the name Poljot ('Flight') is a reference to Sputnik, which flew in October 1957. So far I have not been able to pin down an exact date for the introduction of this 'brand', but I do have 2 pieces with a cursive 'Poljot' dial signature (Nos. 0670 & 0524) that date from the earliest 60s. Both contain a 17-jewel 2414 movement. Note the Sputnik-like graphic device in the calligraphic flourish running across the top of the word. The dials are illustrated below. Unfortunately, neither movement is dated.

For additional photos of the movements, visit my site and search for these two record numbers.

-- Mark

[Chascomm]

Hi Chascomm --

I remember reading somewhere that the name Poljot ('Flight') is a reference to Sputnik, which flew in October 1957. So far I have not been able to pin down an exact date for the introduction of this 'brand', but I do have 2 pieces with a cursive 'Poljot' dial signature (Nos. 0670 & 0524) that date from the earliest 60s. Both contain a 17-jewel 2414 movement. Note the Sputnik-like graphic device in the calligraphic flourish running across the top of the word. The dials are illustrated below. Unfortunately, neither movement is dated.

For additional photos of the movements, visit my site and search for these two record numbers.

-- Mark

The old Poljot factory website cited 2414 as the calibre of the 1960 first release of the brand. Your example tallies with that. Perhaps Poljot was initially introduced specifically as a brand for a date version of the Kirovskie/Stolichnie

That is unmistakably Sputnik-1 flying over the word Poljot, so 'Flight' as a celebration of space-flight seems consistent.

The first Vympels from 1961 also had a space-flight design (this time apparently aiming for the moon):


So the next question is:
What was it about word 'Poljot' that caused it to be chosen first as an export brand for the factory, and then as an overall brand? Why not Kirovskie, Stolichnie, Vympel, Rodina, Moskva or Sputnik?

[Mark Gordon]

What was it about word 'Poljot' that caused it to be chosen first as an export brand for the factory, and then as an overall brand? Why not Kirovskie, Stolichnie, Vympel, Rodina, Moskva or Sputnik?

I think the answer lies in the pride and patriotism associated with the Sputnik launch. It wasn't just the 1st Moscow Watch factory that got on that train... The Tschistopolsky factory flirted with the space theme for Vostoks, too.

Here is a Vostok from the late 1950s or early 1960s containing an 18-jewel 2209 movement. By my best guess, it was manufactured in or very close to 1960. Note the logo.

The idea didn't stick and as far as I can see, this Vostok logo was used for only a very short time.

-- Mark