Historic Russian watch manufacturer producing mechanical timepieces since 1961, named in honor of Yuri Gagarin's pioneering space flight. One of the world's few fully vertically integrated watch manufacturers, producing movements, hairsprings, and escapements entirely in-house at the Petrodvorets Watch Factory.
The Petrodvorets Watch Factory, Russia's oldest continuously operating factory, was founded in 1721 by Peter the Great as the Imperial Peterhof Factory for hardstone carving and luxury goods for the Imperial court. The factory produced ornamental objects, including Kremlin stars and components for Lenin's Tomb. In 1938, it began manufacturing precision ruby stones for watch movements. During WWII, the factory was evacuated but contributed to the war effort. In April 1945, it began producing 'Pobeda' (Victory) watches by Kremlin order. The Raketa brand was created in 1961 to commemorate Yuri Gagarin's historic first manned spaceflight aboard Vostok 1. At peak production in the 1970s, the factory produced approximately 5 million hand-wound watches annually, making Raketa one of the world's most produced watch brands. After difficulties following the Soviet Union's collapse, a major modernization program began in 2011, with Swiss watchmakers from Rolex, Breguet, and Franck Muller joining to help adapt production to modern standards.
PRICE SEGMENT
Mid RangeMOVEMENT TYPES
MANUFACTURING
Full ManufactureSPECIALIZATIONS
HEADQUARTERS
Russia1721 Russian Imperial Crown
1942 Soviet State
1961 Petrodvorets Watch Factory (private)
Current Petrodvorets Watch Factory
