Poljot / Полет

Poljot: The Legacy of Soviet Watchmaking Excellence

In the 1940s, after years of producing pocket watch movements using outdated technology from defunct American companies, the First State Watch Factory shifted its focus to wristwatches. Work resumed on a 1936 project based on the LIP R-26 caliber, which had been halted by the war. In 1946, in collaboration with the Penza Watch Factory, production of the Pobeda wristwatch began. By 1947, for reasons still unknown, the factory was renamed the First Moscow Watch Factory.

Established in 1930 under Stalin’s orders, the factory became the heart of Soviet watchmaking. It was built upon the acquisition of Ansonia Clock Company and Dueber-Hampden Watch Company, whose machinery and specialists were moved to Moscow. During World War II, production was relocated to Zlatoust, only to return to Moscow in 1943. In the post-war years, the factory became a key manufacturer of wristwatches, marine chronometers, and aviation timepieces.

By the 1950s and 1960s, the First Moscow Watch Factory had established itself as the leading producer of military and space watches. Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, wore a Sturmanskie during the Vostok 1 mission in 1961, while in 1965, Alexei Leonov performed the first spacewalk wearing a Strela chronograph. In 1964, all previous watch brands were unified under the Poljot name (Полёт, meaning “flight”), marking the birth of an icon in Soviet horology.

The 1970s saw Poljot reach its peak, producing 2.7 million watches annually, with exports to 63 countries. New technical advancements included the 3133 chronograph movement, initially developed for military use and later introduced to civilian models. However, in the 1980s, a decline in quality became evident, with cheaper materials and simpler finishing. Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Poljot entered a period of decline.

In 1992, the factory transitioned into a joint-stock company, but by 2005, it had sold the 3133 chronograph production line to Maktime, which ceased production in 2011. Today, Poljot no longer manufactures watches, but its legacy remains strong among collectors and enthusiasts, representing the golden era of Soviet watchmaking.