Vostok Aurora: A Review of the 70th Anniversary of the October Russian Revolution Commemorative Watch

russian watch Vostok Komandirskie Aurora

The October Revolution of 1917 was a momentous historical event that led to the founding of the Soviet Union. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of this revolution, the Vostok watch factory produced a special model of the Komandirskie watch, called the “Aurora”.

russian watch Vostok Komandirskie Aurora
Vostok Komandirskie Aurora

The watch has a unique dial, with a bronze/brown background featuring the image of the Aurora, the battleship that fired the cannon shot that began the revolution. In the background, which takes up almost the entire dial, is a sky full of small explosions, halfway between cannon shots and fireworks.

This combination of elements is symbolic: on the one hand, it represents the first cannon shot fired by the Aurora, which began the revolution; on the other hand, it represents the celebration and joy that accompanied the event.

The watch is made of stainless steel, with a chrome-plated case and a bi-directional bezel. The movement is mechanical manual, with a Vostok 2414 caliber, which has 17 rubies and 19,800 vibrations per hour. The power reserve is 45 hours.

The watch is a collector’s item, combining a unique design with an important historical significance. It is perfect for fans of Soviet watches or of the history of the October Revolution.

Information about the October Revolution:

The October Revolution was a historical event that took place in Russia in 1917. The revolution led to the fall of the Russian Empire and the founding of the Soviet Union.

The revolution was led by the Bolsheviks, a political group led by Vladimir Lenin. The Bolsheviks were convinced that Russia could be transformed into a socialist society only through a revolution.

The revolution began on November 7, 1917, when the Bolsheviks took control of the city of Petrograd, now St. Petersburg. The Bolsheviks marched towards the Winter Palace, the seat of the imperial government, and captured it.

The October Revolution had a significant impact on world history. It led to the birth of the first socialist state and helped to spread socialist ideas around the world.

Information about the Aurora:

The Aurora was a Russian battleship that was built in 1903. The ship was used during World War I and the Russian Civil War.

The Aurora is famous for firing the cannon shot that began the October Revolution. The cannon shot was fired on November 7, 1917, from a distance of about 2 kilometers from the Winter Palace.

The Aurora is now a museum, located in St. Petersburg.

The Mystery of the Tank on the Dial of the Vostok Komandirskie Watch

soviet watch Vostok Komandirskie Tank

The Vostok Komandirskie Tank watch is one of the most iconic and widespread Russian watches. With its robust military design, it has captivated collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. A particularly intriguing detail on the dial is the stylised tank, which has led to much speculation: which specific tank model is depicted?

Features of the Vostok Komandirskie

Produced by the Chistopol Watch Factory, the Vostok Komandirskie is synonymous with quality and durability. It is known for being designed to withstand extreme conditions, and its design reflects Soviet military pride.

soviet watch Vostok Komandirskie Tank
Vostok Komandirskie Tank

Which Tank is Depicted?

T-34/85: This is one of the most famous tanks of World War II. Celebrated for its battlefield effectiveness, the T-34/85 is often considered a symbol of Soviet military might. Its distinctive shape and crucial role in the war make this model a probable candidate for the stylisation on the dial.

T-62: Another suggested model by experts is the T-62. This tank represents a technological evolution compared to its predecessors and has stylistic features that might correspond to the stylisation on the watch.

IS-2: The heavy tank IS-2, known for its powerful cannon and thick armour, played a significant role during World War II. This model has also been considered as a possible inspiration.

Notes on the Film T-34

The 2019 Russian film “T-34” offers an exciting and gripping look at this legendary tank. Set during World War II, the film follows a young Soviet tank commander, played by Alexander Petrov, who is captured by the Germans. Using a T-34, he orchestrates a daring escape. The plot highlights the ingenuity and bravery of Soviet soldiers, paying homage to the T-34 as a symbol of resistance and victory. This cinematic representation has rekindled interest in the tank and might reinforce the hypothesis that the model depicted on the Vostok Komandirskie dial is indeed the T-34/85. T-34 (film) – Wikipedia

Discussions and Sources

Discussions on which tank is depicted continue on various forums and specialised sites. For instance, Wikipedia and meshok.net offer insights and speculations on the matter. Additionally, enthusiast groups on platforms like VK and forums dedicated to Soviet watches provide further suggestions and theories.

Conclusions

Precisely identifying the tank model depicted on the Vostok Komandirskie Tank watch dial remains a mystery, but the most credible hypotheses are the T-34/85 and the T-62. The stylisation makes a definitive confirmation difficult, but these two hypotheses remain the most probable.

For more details and discussions, I recommend visiting the links to the sources and forums mentioned above, where the enthusiast community continues to share information and opinions on this fascinating historical detail.

Khersones: The Majestic Three-Masted Sailing Ship and the Raketa Watch

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

The Khersones sailing ship is an impressive and fascinating vessel, whose majestic image stands out on the dial of a watch that is a prized piece for collectors. Among the first Russian watches in my collection, this model is appreciated not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for the intriguing history linked to the sailing ship depicted on the dial.

Raketa Khersones

The watch features an attractive design with white, metallic, and blue tones that evoke a maritime atmosphere. The rotating inner bezel, a distinctive feature of this model, lists the names of cities in English. The chrome-plated case and black-finished bezel harmonize perfectly with the dial, which is dominated by the image of the majestic Khersones sailing ship.

russian watch Raketa Kersones
Raketa Kersones

The Khersones Training Ship

The Khersones is a three-masted sailing ship built in 1989 at the Gdańsk shipyard in Poland. It is part of a series of six sister ships, the most famous of which is the MIR. Designed for training naval cadets, the Khersones is 108.6 meters long and 14 meters wide, with a mainmast height of 49.5 meters. The ship has a total sail area of 2,771 square meters, allowing it to achieve significant speeds powered solely by the wind.

History and Curiosities

  • Launch and Early Career: Launched in 1989, the Khersones was primarily intended for training students at the State Maritime Academy of the Black Sea. In its early years of service, it participated in numerous international regattas, earning a reputation for excellence.
  • Circumnavigation: Between 1997 and 1998, the Khersones completed a circumnavigation of the globe, becoming one of the few Russian sailing ships to accomplish such a feat. During this voyage, it visited ports worldwide, serving as a floating ambassador of Russian seafaring.
  • Film Fame: The Khersones has appeared in several films and documentaries, enhancing its iconic image. Its presence in cinematic productions has helped spread knowledge of the ship beyond nautical circles.
  • Current Status: The Khersones is still in service today, flying the Russian flag. It is often sighted in the Black Sea near Sevastopol and continues to serve as a training ship for new generations of sailors.

To follow the current location of the Khersones, you can use the MarineTraffic website.

Collecting and Exploring

Collecting watches often leads to a desire to explore and learn more about the objects that inspire them. Personally, I enjoy pairing watches with related items like stamps, pins, or postcards. Recently, I found a postcard that depicts the Khersones sailing ship in all its majesty.

The Raketa Watch

The Raketa Khersones is a comfortably wearable watch, once you understand how to read the time correctly on a 24-hour dial. The case is typical of 24-hour watches, with TiN finishing and a black-finished bezel. Inside, the watch houses the 2623.H 24-hour caliber, a reliable movement used by Raketa.

Conclusion

The Raketa Khersones watch is not just a beautiful object but also a tribute to the rich history of the sailing ship it represents. Collecting it means appreciating both naval history and craftsmanship that come together in a unique and fascinating piece.

Verified by MonsterInsights