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

Sovietaly™ Orologi Russi 21 November 202321 November 2023incrociatore Aurora, movimento Vostok 2414, orologio da collezione, orologio manuale, orologio meccanico, rivoluzione russa d'ottobre, Vostok Aurora 0 Comment

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”.

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

Sovietaly™ Orologi Russi 6 June 201820 June 2024cccp, Chistopol Watch Factory, collectible watch, iconic watch, IS-2, mechanical watch, military history, military watchmaking, orologio, orologio da collezione, orologio meccanico, orologio sovietico, Soviet watch, T-34, T-34 film, T-62, tank, vostok, Vostok Komandirskie 0 Comment

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.

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.

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

Sovietaly™ Orologi Russi 28 September 201721 June 2024aeroflot, buran, cccp, collezionismo orologi, Historical Watch, orologi russi, orologi vintage, orologio meccanico, orologio sovietico, polar aviation, Russian Aeroflot, Soviet watch, storia orologi, vostok, Vostok Buran 0 Comment

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:

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.