Poljot

The First Moscow Watch Factory was founded in 1930 using machinery from the bankrupt Dueber-Hampden Watch Company of Canton, Ohio. Twenty-eight freight cars of equipment were transported to Moscow, and twenty-one American technicians trained Russian workers. In 1935, the factory was renamed after Sergei Kirov. During WWII (1941), the factory was evacuated to Zlatoust, returning to Moscow in 1943 as the First Moscow Watch Factory. The first Pobeda wristwatches and marine chronometers were produced in 1947. The Poljot brand name was introduced in 1964. On April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin wore a Sturmanskie watch during humanity's first spaceflight. In 1965, Alexei Leonov wore a Strela chronograph during the first spacewalk. In 1975, Swiss machinery was imported. In the late 2000s, businessman Sergei Pugachev acquired the company. Former employees later purchased factory remnants and formed Volmax, which markets watches under Aviator, Buran, and Sturmanskie brands. The original Poljot brand ceased production in the late 2000s.