perestroika Archivi - SOVIETALY™

The Raketa Yamal Watch: An Icon of Soviet Craftsmanship

Sovietaly™ Orologi Russi, Soviet Watches 9 July 20249 July 2024North Pole cruises, orologio sovietico, perestroika, perestrojka, peterhof masters, polar watches, raketa, Raketa Yamal Watch, Soviet craftsmanship, Soviet watch, Soviet watch history, Yamal icebreaker 0 Comment

Introduction

In the late 1980s, during the Perestroika period, the Peterhof Watch Factory saw the emergence of several cooperatives, including the renowned “Peterhof Masters”. One of their most iconic creations is the Raketa watch commemorating the nuclear icebreaker “Yamal”. This article explores the distinctive features of this rare watch, highlighting its design and the historical context in which it was produced.

Description of the Raketa Yamal Watch

The Raketa Yamal watch boasts several distinctive elements:

Case: Made of gold-plated brass with a TiN-finished bezel, measuring approximately 36 mm in diameter.
Dial: The dial features a detailed print of the nuclear icebreaker Yamal. It is signed “P.M.” (Peterhof Masters). Within the image, the initials “A.L.M.” (Atomnyy Ledomkol Yamal) are part of the commemorative illustration. The blue lines at the top of the dial represent a stylized aurora borealis, a typical graphic element of polar watches. This design predates the addition of the famous shark mouth painted on the ship’s hull in the 1990s.
Hands: Black dagger-shaped hands, including the second hand.
Movement: Equipped with a mechanical 2614 movement from a Russian factory, with an unengraved bridge, marked “2614” and the “Angels” logo.
Case Back: Pressure-fitted steel case back without inscriptions.

The video presents a rare watch from the late 1980s called the Atomic Icebreaker Yamal, produced by the Peterhof Masters cooperative. The watch is distinguished by its dial printed with the image of the Yamal atomic icebreaker and the date at 6 o’clock, signed “П.М.” (Peterhof Masters) and “АЛМ” (Atomic Icebreaker Yamal). Classic baton hands for hours and minutes and a red seconds hand complete the design. The chrome-plated brass case with a smooth finish, the plexiglass crystal and the black leather strap give the watch an elegant and robust appearance. The snap-back case back hides a late-model Russian 2614 mechanical movement, with a flat mainspring, shock absorber under the anchor and balance wheel without a regulating screw. A rare and fascinating watch, which captures attention for its unique design and its history linked to the late 1980s and the Peterhof Masters cooperative. A true collector’s item for fans of vintage watches and Russian history.

The Peterhof Watch Factory Cooperatives

During Perestroika, the historic Peterhof Watch Factory, also known as Raketa, gave rise to three unique cooperatives: Renaissance, Prestige, and Peterhof Masters. These cooperatives represent a fascinating chapter in Soviet watch history, characterized by high quality and innovative designs.

Renaissance: Specialized in watches with semi-precious stone dials like jade, jasper, malachite, and nephrite.
Prestige: Known for its mirror dials with religious themes and images of churches.
Peterhof Masters: Focused on producing watches with printed dials on various themes, often decorated with high-quality naval and military images. The commemorative Yamal watch is one of their most iconic models.

The Yamal Icebreaker

The Yamal is one of the nuclear icebreakers of the Arktika class, built to operate in harsh Arctic conditions. Here are some of its main technical characteristics:

Nuclear Reactors: Equipped with two OK-900A nuclear reactors, each with a capacity of 171 MW, for a total thermal power of 342 MW.
Power: The maximum propulsion power is 75,000 horsepower (approximately 55.3 MW), distributed over three four-blade propellers, each 5.7 meters in diameter.
Dimensions: Length of 148 meters, width of 30 meters, draft of 11.08 meters, height from keel to masthead of 55 meters.
Displacement: 23,455 tons.
Speed: Maximum speed in open water of 22 knots (about 40 km/h) and the ability to break ice up to 2.3 meters thick at a speed of 3 knots (about 5.5 km/h).
Hull Structure: The outer hull is 48 mm thick in areas in contact with ice and 25 mm elsewhere, with a polymer coating to reduce friction. It uses an air and hot water bubble system to facilitate icebreaking.

The Yamal is known for its ability to navigate through thick Arctic ice, thanks to its powerful nuclear reactors and advanced icebreaking technologies. It has played a significant role in creating annual travel expeditions to the North Pole, being one of the few ships capable of reaching this destination and safely transporting tourists (CruiseMapper) (Wikipedia).

Tourist Cruises

The Yamal offers tourist cruises to the North Pole, a unique experience for adventurers. These cruises typically depart from Murmansk, Russia, and prices for a 14-day cruise can be around $30,000 per person. The cruises include various activities such as helicopter tours, Zodiac excursions, and photography programs (Poseidon Expeditions) (Cruise Critic).

Conclusion

The Raketa Yamal watch by the Peterhof Masters cooperative is a rare and valuable piece for collectors and watch enthusiasts. It represents not only the excellence of Soviet craftsmanship but also an era of change and innovation. For more details and an in-depth look at the watch, you can consult Dmitry Brodnikovskiy’s video available on YouTube, which provides a detailed analysis of this unique model.

Sources

The Vostok of Gorbachev: The Watch and the Historic 1989 Visit to Italy

Sovietaly™ Orologi Russi 15 June 202420 June 20241989 Italy visit, glasnost, horological history, international relations, Mikhail Gorbachev, Nicola Benois, orologio Vostok, perestroika, perestrojka, Raisa Gorbachev, relazioni internazionali, storia orologiera, visita Italia 1989, Vostok Gorbachev, Vostok watch 0 Comment

The Vostok with Calibre 2409 and the Commemorative Dial

The Vostok watch with calibre 2409 is known for its robustness and reliability, typical characteristics of Russian mechanical movements. This hand-wound watch has a diameter of 24 mm, a height of 3.7 mm, and includes 17 jewels. It operates at a frequency of 19,800 vibrations per hour and offers a minimum power reserve of 40 hours. The dial of this particular model celebrates Mikhail Gorbachev’s visit to Italy in 1989, featuring his image (WatchUSeek Watch Forums) (Wikipedia) (WatchUSeek Watch Forums). It is available in several dial colour variants, allowing collectors to choose the option that best suits their personal taste.

Mikhail Gorbachev’s Visit to Italy in 1989

Context and Significance of the Visit

In 1989, Mikhail Gorbachev, then General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, visited Italy from 29 November to 1 December. This trip was part of a broader European diplomatic tour aimed at strengthening political and economic ties between the Soviet Union and Italy amidst the ongoing reforms of perestroika and glasnost (Wikipedia) (The Nation).

Agenda and Meetings

During his stay in Italy, Gorbachev had a series of high-profile meetings:

Meeting with the President of the Republic: Gorbachev was received by President Francesco Cossiga. The discussions focused on bilateral cooperation and global issues such as nuclear disarmament and international security.
Talks with the Prime Minister: Gorbachev met with Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti to discuss economic and political relations between the two countries, with a particular focus on trade cooperation.
Visit to the Vatican: Gorbachev had a historic meeting with Pope John Paul II. This event was significant given the atheist nature of the Soviet state and the Pope’s influence in the Eastern Bloc, especially in Poland.
Participation in Conferences: Gorbachev attended various conferences and gave public speeches, highlighting the importance of perestroika and glasnost for the future of the Soviet Union and for international stability, promoting greater cooperation between East and West (Making the History of 1989) (OpenEdition).

Anecdotes and Curiosities

Enthusiastic Reception: Gorbachev and his wife Raisa were warmly received by the Italian public, demonstrating the interest and admiration for the reforms introduced by Gorbachev.
Raisa Gorbachev’s Visit to Milan: Raisa visited Piazza Adelaide di Savoia 2 in Milan to pay homage to Nicola Benois, a renowned Russian-Italian scenographer who had worked extensively at La Scala in Milan. Benois was known for his extraordinary contributions to opera and ballet, and Raisa’s visit highlighted the importance of culture as a bridge between nations (Wikipedia) (Teatro alla Scala Pittori 1937-1970).
Cultural Impact: Gorbachev’s visit helped to strengthen cultural ties between Italy and the Soviet Union. Various cultural exchange projects were discussed during the stay, including study programmes and artistic collaborations that would facilitate greater mutual understanding (Wikipedia) (Making the History of 1989) (OpenEdition) (The Nation).

Conclusion

The Vostok watch with calibre 2409 and its commemorative dial represent not only a piece of horological history but also a symbol of an era of significant changes in international relations. Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev’s visit to Italy in 1989 remains a memorable moment that contributed to strengthening cultural and political ties between the two countries. Thank you for visiting our site and for your interest in this piece of history and culture.

The Watch Cooperatives of the Petrodvorets Factory

Sovietaly™ Orologi Russi 25 May 20239 July 20241980s watches, Alexander Brodnikovsky, artigianato sovietico, collectible watches, history of Soviet watches, jasper, mechanical watches, mirror dials, orologi anni '80, orologi da collezione, orologi da polso, orologi meccanici, orologi Raketa, orologi sovietici, perestroika, peterhof masters, Peterhof Masters watches, Petrodvorets watch cooperatives, Petrodvorets Watch Factory, pocket watches, precious stone watches, Prestige watches, raketa, Raketa watches, rare watches, Renaissance watches, Soviet craftsmanship, Soviet watches, stne dial, unique watches, wristwatches 0 Comment

During the Perestroika, a period of major economic and social reforms in the Soviet Union led by Mikhail Gorbachev, the historic Petrodvorets Watch Factory (also known as Raketa) gave rise to three unique cooperatives: Renaissance, Prestige, and Peterhof Masters. These cooperatives, active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, represent a fascinating chapter in the history of Soviet watches. Here, we will explore the history, activities, and peculiarities of each of these cooperatives.

Renaissance: The Art of Watches in Precious Stone

Origin and Specialization

The Renaissance cooperative emerged in the late 1980s at the Petrodvorets Watch Factory in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Founded during the Perestroika, Renaissance specialized in producing wristwatches and pocket watches with dials made of semi-precious stones such as jade, jasper, malachite, and nephrite. These watches were particularly appreciated for their beauty and uniqueness.

Activities and Production

Renaissance was renowned for the impeccable quality of its stone dials, making each watch a unique piece. The watches produced were mainly mechanical but also included quartz models. The pocket watches with stone dials were rare and produced in limited quantities, making them highly sought-after collectibles.

Sources and Videos

Video Playlist on the Renaissance Cooperative

Prestige: Elegance Reflected in Mirror Dials

Origin and Specialization

The Prestige cooperative was also founded in the late 1980s, during a period of economic transition for the Soviet Union. Prestige is distinguished by its production of watches with mirror dials and iridescent coatings that change color depending on the viewing angle. This type of dial was particularly innovative and attractive.

Activities and Production

Prestige was famous for its mirror dials, often decorated with religious themes and images of churches. These watches were not sold commercially and were probably produced in very small batches. The watches had tall cases with a projection for the calendar, giving them a distinctive appearance.

Examples of Models and Technical Details

Mirror dial with an image of Saint George the Victorious
Gold-plated case nicknamed “Peterhof frog”
Mechanical movement 2609

Sources and Videos

Peterhof Masters: Creativity and Printed Themes

Origin and Specialization

The Peterhof Masters cooperative, also founded in the late 1980s, focused on producing watches with printed dials on various themes. This cooperative was known for the high quality of its prints and the variety of themes covered in its designs.

Activities and Production

Peterhof Masters’ watches were often decorated with naval and military themes. The dials were detailed and well-finished, giving the watches a particular charm.

Examples of Models and Technical Details

Atomic Icebreaker Yamal: Printed dial with the image of the atomic icebreaker Yamal, mechanical movement 2614
Koppernik: White dial with Roman numerals, naval and military themes, caliber 26NP movement

Sources and Videos

The Charm of Petrodvorets Cooperative Watches

Watches produced by the Renaissance, Prestige, and Peterhof Masters cooperatives not only represent the excellence of Soviet craftsmanship but also tell a story of innovation and adaptation during a period of significant change. These watches, with their unique characteristics and fascinating history, are precious items for collectors and watch enthusiasts.

Authoritative Sources

Alexander Brodnikovsky, a recognized expert in this field, has shared much of this valuable information, providing a detailed view of these rare watches and the cooperatives that produced them.

Conclusion

The cooperatives of the Petrodvorets Watch Factory represent a unique chapter in the history of Soviet watches. Each cooperative left a distinctive mark, creating watches that are appreciated today not only for their beauty and quality but also for their historical significance. Collecting these watches means owning a piece of history and celebrating the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the past.