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Raketa Watch Factory

77K views 647 replies 77 participants last post by  lagazeta 
#1 ·
Hello,

This is David Henderson-Stewart from the "Raketa Watch Factory". I've wanted to join your Community for a long time, but for many reasons have only now finally managed to take the Big Step.

For those who don't know, "Raketa" is a Russian brand created in 1961 in honour of the first manned space flight by Yuri Gagarin ("Raketa" means "space rocket" in Russian). Raketa quickly developed into a very large watch factory producing up to 5 million mechanical watches/year.



When I discovered Raketa, I was literally stunned by its uniqueness: it was very different from most of what I had seen in the Western world, in terms of strong history, full manufacture and unusual designs of watch models. Some of these models have become quite famous, such as the 24 hour Polar watch with its unique case construction, the Copernicus watch with its round hands or the Big Zero model with its zero on the dial (instead of the conventional "12"):

Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery
Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Strap
Watch Analog watch White Watch accessory Black


When in 1991, Communism and the Russian economy collapsed, the Raketa Watch Factory gradually shrank over the next 2 decades from a gigantic factory with 7.000 specialists to a tiny factory with 20 watchmakers working in terrible conditions. This was when I first visited the Factory, in 2011. Despite Raketa's huge difficulties struggling in the new global market economy, I discovered that the production technology, watchmaking know-how and spirit had survived. Based on these elements, the Factory gradually re-built and modernised itself. My life & work have since then been tied to Raketa.

There are today approximately 100 specialists working at the Factory. They are particularly proud of continuing the legacy by still producing 100% of Raketa's own robust mechanical movement and making watches with very strong values.

Scientific instrument Machine Service


Today, the Raketa Watch Factory produces automatic watches organized in 3 different collections along the lines of its historic models:

  • tool watches for professionals such as cosmonauts, polar explorers, submariners,
  • curiosity watches that, for example, go counter-clockwise, and
  • classic watches based on the famous Raketa Big Zero model.

Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Jewellery
Watch Analog watch Watch accessory Fashion accessory Stock photography


I would love to share with you the passion of Raketa's designers and watchmakers for respectively designing mechanical watches with a very original identity and producing them using "old school" production methods.

Regards, David

PS: By the way, the Factory is open to visitors. So if any of you ever comes to Saint Petersburg (Russia) - one of the most beautiful cities in the world - you're welcome to contact me for a visit. The watchmakers will be happy to show you all of their know-how including the most complicated & secret operations relating to the production of the hair-spring of Raketa's mechanism.
 
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#323 ·
Hi everyone,

I´m the owner of the classic Raketa since 2017 (look at the photos, sorry I´m not the best photograph). This watch is very nice and the after sell services is super.

I did a bad movement (not the watch ;)) and she fell on the crown. She couldn´t work. I contacted the after sell services, sent the watch and got it a month later free of charges and completely overhauled.

It was a really nice surprise. Thanks Raketa.
 

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#324 ·
In case anyone's curious I was told this in an email from Raketa:
"We have some interesting releases planned, more will be revealed this fall. I can hint that the nearest release will have to do with the Big Zero collection."
They already have a black, white, and green dial so I'm curious. Maybe they're making it in a larger size. 38.8mm isn't my thing. I could go with a 40-41 maybe...
 
#326 ·
Considering they call their smallest (38.8mm) offerings "Classic" already, and all their other models are over 40mm, I'd be surprised if they go smaller but you never know.
They do have a 40.5mm case used for the "Avant-Garde" model and I could see them doing a Big Zero in that size. A Big Zero in their existing 43mm case like the "Seaman" would be too much for me personally. I don't mind that size for a diver style watch with a bezel, but with little to no bezel it would look huge to me.
 
#343 ·
I have been informed that up until now that the European Union's Value Added Tax (VAT) was being quietly added to all sales regardless of the customer's country. The price on each product page now states that it is with VAT included, and once you add an item to the cart the base price without VAT is shown, accounting for a significant 17% difference. If you are located outside of the European Union and were wrongly charged VAT, I suggest you contact Raketa to see what they can do for you.
 
#345 ·
The one I posted the other day was preowned but I did pick up a new one this past April and when I look at the invoice it doesn't look like the VAT was removed. When I look at the same item now on the website the VAT is removed when adding to the cart and the price difference is as you said 17% lower.
Thanks for the heads up Arizone, I sent them an email. I can only hope that they'll do the right thing and reimburse what they shouldn't have charged me. A credit towards a future purchase won't cut it. I'll post here what the outcome is.
 
#344 · (Edited)
Quick update on Maryland Watch Works!

Eugene and I had been going back and forth over a few older Raketa pieces I had sent him. Raketa had seeded him parts but had to send just one because of the age. I was offered a really outrageous DHL price for a crown ($150 to send a crown 2-Day Express) and Raketa quickly followed up with a cheaper international service option.

Really great follow-up from Raketa on that; super pleased. Especially when it's almost impossible to get mail through the Russian Post due to backlog and shipping problems. So it was an effort to get the part out quickly and affordably from the other side of the world.

Eugene indicated to me he would service Soviet stuff if put through his workbench but his rates cost more than the watches do in many cases. Still, for someone who would like to, he's happy to take a look at it.

I was quoted $125 for a full movement overhaul for one and $225 for parts and repairs plus the overhaul on the other.

The wait time I was quoted was 3-5 weeks on the full service and about 6-8 weeks for the repair and overhaul. That's fantastic! Even small and nimble companies that focus on service usually have queues into months or even years. Most luxury 3 hand watch service costs are $500-800 and about 5 months on average to get back from a straightforward service. Really getting off on the right track with a brand new service center. [emoji736]
 
#346 · (Edited)
Update on the VAT situation. I emailed Raketa, sent them my order number from earlier this year, and asked that they look into it. Marina, one of the managers, said she would. The next day she agreed that I was owed the VAT amount and the bank transfer is underway. Fantastic response time and customer service.
Thank you Raketa and thank you Arizone for mentioning this. I’d like to send you a token of my appreciation, maybe some Vostok accessories or something.
 
#353 ·
This will be a radically abstract watch. Most people will hate it. At the Raketa Watch Factory, we already love it!
I mainly 'hate' it because you can't really read the time on it (at least from the sneak peak you showed on Instagram earlier in the year). While watches can be pieces of art, first and foremost they must be functional.
 
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