Tool
Raketa watches are not built with tourbillons, minute repeaters or flyback chronographs. The watches we build are meant to do one thing, and do it well: tell the time. We follow the Soviet design principle that the more complicated a thing is, the less reliable it will be. Thus, our watches use an exceptionally simple, yet robust mechanism, that has undergone over 60 years of incremental adjustments, simplifications and improvements.
In the late 1970s, Soviet submarine crews needed a watch. Staying underwater for many months, they needed a watch with a robust 24-hour movement to allow them to distinguish day from night. Additionally, it needed to be a watch with a bi-directional rotor, so that it could more efficiently wind itself in cramped conditions. Given its proximity to the sea, Raketa already had a strong history of making naval watches, and was naturally given the task of creating such a watch. To this day, Raketa continues the tradition of producing specialised watches for submariners.
The Raketa 24-hour movement was specially developed in 1970 by the Raketa Watch Factory for the polar explorers of the 16th Soviet Antarctic expedition. Since this freezing continent is in perpetual daylight or darkness during consecutive periods of 6 months, this watch needed not only to be robust but also needed a special 24 hour movement that would allow to tell the time without knowing if it was day or night.
While preserving both the spirit and identity of its predecessors, this iconic model now conforms with all the modern requirements for diving, both in terms of design and functionality. Its stainless steel case is capable of withstanding pressures at 200 metres depth. A screw-in crown securing the movement from any water entry. Its unidirectional bezel with a 15-minute scale and luminescent indexes, produces a clear clicking sound for error-free adjustment with no risk of accidental misalignment. The starting marker is made in relief for easy setup. A high-contrast dial with large indexes and hands is easy to read and enhances dive control. The luminescent coating ensures a bright and long-lasting glow.
Designed in a classic style but with Raketa's recognisable identity, the new case with its clean facets combines a glossy polish and a satin finish. This look is harmoniously continued by the stainless-steel bracelet, which emphasises the masculine character of the watch. A genuine leather strap is also included in the set. The movement is protected by a screw-in crown, which provides a water resistance of up to 200 meters.
Raketa Factory in collaboration with the Sukhoi Design Bureau have launched a limited edition of 800 pieces — Raketa Su. The design of this model is inspired by Su-57, a cutting-edge 5th-generation supermaneuverable fighter jet. Its black PVD-coated case, high-contrast black and white hands, large numerals, Super-LumiNova coating and the double-sided anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystal remind us of the Su-57's digital instrument panel. This model comes with a special metal case with two locks and safety ribbons indicating ‘Remove Before Flight’. This echoes pre-flight procedures: just as the pilot must remove red tags prior to takeoff, you will need to perform a similar ritual before accessing the watch and wearing it. The set includes an extra genuine leather strap, and a 1:100 scale metal model of the Sukhoi Su-57 fighter.