Orologi Russi

Raketa Khersones: A 24-hour Watch Celebrating the Iconic Russian Training Ship

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Close-up of a Khersones wristwatch showing different world cities and a ship illustration on the dial.

The Raketa Khersones is a timepiece that truly embodies the spirit of seafaring and pays homage to one of Russia’s most celebrated training ships. Its nautical design immediately catches the eye: crisp whites, metallic and blue tones, an internal rotating bezel displaying city names in English, and at the centre, a detailed image of the Khersones sailing ship. The chromed case, black bezel and signature TiN (titanium nitride) finishing make this 24-hour model stand out, powered by the reliable Raketa 2623.H movement.

The Khersones Training Ship

The Khersones is a three-masted tall ship built in 1989 at the renowned Gdańsk shipyard in Poland, part of a distinguished series of six sister ships (the most famous being the Mir). It measures 108.6 metres in length, 14 metres across, and boasts a main mast height of nearly 50 metres. With a sail area of 2,771 m², the Khersones can achieve impressive speeds relying solely on wind power.
Designed for the training of cadets at the Black Sea State Academy of Navigation, Khersones has taken part in numerous international regattas, earning an excellent reputation among Russian training ships.

russian watch Raketa Kersones
Raketa Kersones

Historical Highlights and Curiosities

  • Launch and early years: Launched in 1989, Khersones immediately set sail as a training vessel, standing out in major international regattas.
  • World circumnavigation: Between 1997 and 1998, it completed a round-the-world voyage, visiting ports across five continents and acting as a floating ambassador for Russian seamanship.
  • Film and media fame: The ship has appeared in several films and documentaries, cementing its status as a maritime icon well beyond the sailing world.
  • Present day: Today, Khersones sails under the Russian flag, mainly seen in the Black Sea near Sevastopol, where it continues to serve as a training ship.

Would you like to track its current location? See it live on MarineTraffic.

Collecting the Raketa Khersones

Collecting watches such as the Raketa Khersones is a way to dive into the world of Soviet watchmaking and celebrate the legacy of historic sailing ships. Personally, I enjoy pairing these watches with related memorabilia—stamps, postcards, and pins featuring Khersones make any collection even more evocative.

Features of the Raketa Khersones Watch

  • Dial: 24-hour, featuring an image of the Khersones
  • Case: Typical Raketa 24h, with TiN finishing
  • Bezel: Internal rotating, city names in English
  • Movement: Raketa 2623.H 24h, sturdy and reliable
  • Style: Distinctly nautical, with metallic and blue details
  • Wearability: Perfect for fans of technical timepieces looking for something unique and original

Conclusion

The Raketa Khersones is more than a beautiful accessory; it is a true tribute to maritime history and the prestige of the Russian training ship. Owning this watch means appreciating both the art of navigation and the craftsmanship that makes every detail of this timepiece remarkable.

A Vostok with a Very Particular Asymmetric Case

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russian watch Vostok Komandirskie asimmetric case

Do all watches have symmetric cases? The answer is clearly NO. Although in most cases the case is symmetric, designers sometimes decide to vary the design, creating some dynamism. A few months ago, I bought a Vostok Komandirskie in poor condition but with the peculiarity of having an asymmetric case.

Today I want to talk about a watch I found a few months ago on eBay that intrigued me quite a bit. The dial is quite plain, but the asymmetric case enlivens the look of this watch.

russian watch Vostok Komandirskie asimmetric case
Vostok Komandirskie asimmetric case

Watch Description

  • Brand and Model: Vostok Komandirskie
  • Case: Asymmetric with TiN (Titanium Nitride) finish
  • Dial: Blue with gold and white indices. The hours are indicated with gold Arabic numerals on a black background, and there is a date window at 3 o’clock.
  • Hands: Gold with luminescent inserts, the second hand is red.
  • Bezel: Peculiar with indices characterized by red and black triangles and a red dot at 12 o’clock.
  • Movement: Classic 2414A manual winding.
  • Case Back: Features the engraving of a rising sun, presumably original.

Analysis of the Asymmetric Case

The asymmetric case of this Vostok Komandirskie is a distinctive feature that immediately catches the eye. The TiN finish gives the watch superior resistance and an elegant appearance. The bezel, with its unique indices, adds another element of visual interest.

Historical and Collecting Research

Doing some online research and talking with some foreign collectors, it seems that this case is quite common but not officially cataloged. Therefore, it lacks an identifying code in the known schematics. This makes the watch even more fascinating for collectors, as it represents a sort of undocumented mystery.

Other Examples of Asymmetric Cases

This is not the only case of an asymmetric case in the history of Soviet watchmaking. There are fine examples of Stolichnie, Raketa, and clearly Vostok watches, to name those I remember. Some simple details can make a seemingly minimal-value Komandirskie interesting.

Conclusion

The Vostok Komandirskie watch with an asymmetric case represents a unique and fascinating piece, both aesthetically and from a collecting perspective. The combination of distinctive design, TiN finish, and classic technical features makes it a noteworthy specimen in the history of Soviet watches.

Discover the Rare Vostok Buran Watch: A Tribute to Soviet Polar Aviation

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Primo piano di un orologio Vostok Buran celebrativo della Polar Aviation sovietica. Proprietà di Sovietaly.

Three Penguins and a Polar Bear on the Dial of a Vostok Buran

Introduction

Today, I am wearing an intriguing watch from the USSR, which I believe is often overlooked, particularly in Italy, due to a lack of understanding of its historical significance. While many theories about this watch can be found online, few are based on solid evidence. The watch in question is the Vostok Buran, dedicated to Soviet Polar Aviation.

You can view some fascinating images from the historical archive of Russian Aeroflot here.

The Dial of the Polar Aviation Watch

The dial of this watch is divided into two distinct areas:

soviet watch Vostok Polar aviation

Vostok Polar Aviation

At the top, there is a blue semicircle with the Cyrillic inscription “БУРАН” (Buran, meaning blizzard). Inside this semicircle, there is a depiction of a polar bear, an animal native to the northern hemisphere and the North Pole.

Three Penguins

At the bottom, there are three penguins, which are typical of the southern hemisphere and the South Pole. Alongside the penguins is the logo that currently represents Aeroflot.

Today, Polar Aviation is considered a subsidiary of Aeroflot, and its services are carried out under a unified brand.

Photographic Evidence of Polar Aviation

Historical Context

Established in 1934, Soviet Polar Aviation remained active until 1970. It serviced all polar routes to and from the most remote countries and scientific stations located in the Arctic regions of the planet.

Many intriguing details about this period can be found here. Unfortunately, the history of Polar Aviation is marked by numerous accidents and disasters.

Service to Arctic Islands

Polar Aviation also served many Arctic islands, providing crucial services such as mail, medicines, and food supplies to the island inhabitants.

A particularly interesting website, albeit in Russian, provides insights into the life on Dickson Island. Thanks to Google Translate, you can explore the historical photos showing Soviet Polar Aviation planes and helicopters here.

The Watch Itself

The Vostok Buran watch is well-crafted and comfortable to wear. It was primarily released for the Italian market, identifiable by the typical case back and the high-quality leather strap marked in several places. This watch deserves a prominent place in any Russian watch enthusiast’s collection.