Poljot: the extraordinary epic of Russian watches

The Soviet Origins of the First Moscow Factory

Poljot's history dates back to 1930, when the First State Watchmaking Factory was founded in Moscow as part of the first Soviet Five-Year Plan. Equipped with machinery imported from the United States (from the Dueber-Hampden and Ansonia companies) and staffed by American technicians, the new factory aimed to produce timepieces of quality comparable to Swiss ones. The first products were 50 “Type-1” pocket watches based on 16-ligne Hampden movements Despite initial difficulties (machine breakdowns and a lack of specialized personnel), production increased rapidly thanks to in-house training of technicians. In the following years, the company changed its name several times: from 1935, it was named after Sergei Kirov and grew to 450,000 watches a year. During the Second World War the factory was evacuated to Zlatoust, but after the conflict it returned to Moscow, inaugurating the production of new wristwatch models such as the Pobeda (from 1946).

Poljot and the Space Age

Yuri Gagarin's flight in 1961 consecrated the first Moscow factory as the cradle of space watches: on the wrist of the first cosmonaut was in fact a Sturmanskie created by the First Moscow Watch Factory. In 1964, in homage to this heroic feat, all the company's models were unified under a single brand: Полёт (Polyot), which in Russian means "flight." Pollyot immediately became the flagship brand of the Soviet watch industry, positioning itself as a symbol of technological progress and space supremacy. Every chronograph or wristwatch now proudly bore this name dedicated to aerospace innovation.

The Poljot 3133 chronograph caliber and the 1970s

In the 1970s, the First Factory purchased Valjoux 7734 machinery in Switzerland, giving rise to the famous Poljot 3133 caliber. This manual chronograph movement, with 23 jewels and approximately 40 hours of power reserve, was based on Swiss technology but assembled in the USSR. Initially designed for military and aeronautical purposes, the 3133 soon became the heart of many Russian sports and aviation chronographs. Its reliability and precision earned it worldwide fame: as noted by industry experts, the Poljot 3133 is "derived from the Swiss Valjoux 7734 caliber, 23 jewels and ~40-hour power reserve… initially used by the Russian navy and air force" and today is "one of the most respected and sought-after movements among enthusiasts." In the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to this and other innovative mechanisms, the factory produced legendary models (the “Strela” and “Buran” chronographs, etc.) that consolidated Poljot's prestige in the world of space racing and the skies.

Post-Soviet decline and brand fragmentation

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the golden era of Poljot watches also ended. In 1992, the Moscow factory was transformed into a joint-stock company, but financial and management problems mounted. In 1994, the company was split up, resulting in the creation of several spin-off brands, including Poljot-International in Germany. Original Russian production gradually declined; in 2005, the shareholders' meeting decided to sell the machinery (including those for the 3133 caliber) and end Poljot manufacturing in Russia. In effect, the historic brand ceased to be an active manufacturer, although it remained a symbol in the sector.

Poljot-International: A German Brand with a Russian Soul

Meanwhile, in Germany, the Poljot-International brand was relaunched by a Frankfurt-based company. Founded in 1994 by Alexander Shorokhov, Poljot-International revived the traditions of the Russian name but with new rules: independent design, high-quality materials, and rigorous quality controls. All phases of design, assembly and testing are managed in Germany , allowing the brand to gain a prominent position in the medium segment and to export its watches to over 35 countries worldwide. The result is a contemporary collection of mechanical watches (chronographs, tourbillons, skeletons, etc.) rooted in Russian style. Despite European production, Poljot-International "retains the warmth of the Russian soul" in its creations. , as evidenced by the dials decorated with historical symbols and the limited editions that pay homage to the Soviet epic.

Volmax and MakTime: the heirs in their homeland

In Russia, some former employees attempted to save the Poljot legacy. In 2000, a group of managers founded the company Volmax (with offices in Moscow and Switzerland) to relaunch brands associated with the original factory (Aviator, Buran, Sturmanskie) using original Poljot movements. MakTime, a company founded in 1996, instead collected the remaining machinery in Moscow to continue production of the 3133 caliber. However, financial failure prevented MakTime from acquiring the rights to the Poljot brand. Today, Volmax holds the cosmonauts' legacy: it is in fact the only company authorized to mass-produce the Sturmanskie “Gagarin”, a modern version of the watch worn by Yuri Gagarin in orbit. .

The Russian chronograph “Moscow Rome '92” in limited edition

A historic model with a vintage feel stands out in Poljot-International's current lineup: the Poljot “Moscow-Rome 1992” Russian Chronograph. Originally produced in 1992, this aviation watch commemorated the reopening of the historic Moscow–Rome air route. Framed by a refined 38 mm steel case, the gold-plated dial bears the decorative inscriptions “Moscow-Rome '92” on the bezel and military references on the hands. The chronograph is powered by the famous hand-wound Poljot caliber 3133 (23 jewels, 40 hours of power reserve). This limited edition was produced in a run of only 10,000 pieces: the serial number of each piece, which is unique, is found on the case back. Furthermore, the watch was accompanied by an elegant original tin box silkscreened with the logos of Moscow and Rome, an extremely rare and sought-after item by collectors. Overall, the “Moscow-Rome '92” epitomizes the spirit of union between Swiss technical precision, deriving from the original lines of the Valjoux 7734, reincarnated in the Poljot 3133, and the aesthetic design typical of Poljot. , making it a true collector's item today.

Curiosities and anecdotes

Poljot's history is full of curiosities and records that testify to the importance of the brand:

• The name “Polyot” means “flight” in Russian choice made in 1964 to celebrate the first Soviet space flight.

• Yuri Gagarin, who became the first man in space in 1961, wore a Sturmanskie Poljot watch during his historic mission. The small, 33 mm, hand-wound timepiece has earned a place in the Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow.

• Alexei Leonov, the first man to go out into open cosmonautics (1965), wore a Strela Poljot chronograph on his wrist during his spacewalk.

• Mass production : already in 1951 the First Moscow Factory was producing over 1.1 million watches per year , a volume which at the time made it a world leader.

• Golden Trophy for Quality : Between 1991 and 1993 Poljot received this coveted international recognition It was a belated but significant triumph at the end of the Soviet era, confirming the technical excellence achieved by the company.

These anecdotes demonstrate how Poljot was more than just a watch brand, but a true Russian national symbol. Even today, enthusiasts fervently collect historic models, witnesses of an unrepeatable era.

Conclusion

From the first experiments in the 1930s to modern editions celebrating the glories of the past, the Poljot brand has survived political turmoil and changes in ownership. Today, Poljot lives on in many forms: in the watches of Poljot-International, in the models commissioned by Volmax, and in the hearts of enthusiasts around the world. The Poljot story demonstrates how Russian watchmaking passion survived the Soviet era, continuing to soar—literally—in the collective imagination.