Poljot Chronograph — Two Crowns, Tachymeter (1990s)

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A Poljot chronograph, the instrument from Moscow

This watch is a Poljot chronograph — “Flight” in Russian — produced in the 1990s by the First Moscow Watch Factory, founded in 1930: the oldest of the Russian factories, the one that equipped Soviet pilots and cosmonauts, and which continued after 1991 the production of its mechanical chronographs — the words MADE IN RUSSIA at the bottom of the dial mark this generation.

It is the complete instrument: a 23-jewel mechanical chronograph with two counters — sub-seconds on the left, 30-minute counter on the right — operated by two pushers, with an orange chronograph hand that stands out across the entire dial. A tachymeter scale encircles the hour track to read an average speed, and a date window opens at six o’clock.

Its signature: the two crowns. The one on the right winds and sets; the one on the left controls the internal rotating bezel, graduated over sixty minutes beneath the Crystal — the black ring turns from within, sheltered from shocks, to set a time marker. The light blue-grey dial features black markers with green luminous dots, and two matching black channel hands: instrument legibility, in a cushion 38.9mm case.

The hand-wound mechanical movement has been checked by our partner watchmakers and is guaranteed for one year. The watch is fitted with a later smooth navy blue leather strap.

Three points to note

Why choose a Poljot chronograph?

This Poljot chronograph holds a distinct place among vintage watches for men and women: it is the most affordable entry into the mechanical chronograph manufacture-made — a complication that, in Swiss production, costs several times this budget — with the signature of the cosmonauts' factory. Two crowns, two counters, a tachymeter: the instrument watch in its most generous expression, a slim 9.5mm on the wrist.

Like all our vintage mechanical watches, this one has been opened and inspected by our partner watchmakers: verification of the movement and chronograph, examination of the dial, hands and case. Each vintage watch we offer comes with an Atelier Victor invoice serving as a certificate, a one-year guarantee, and authenticity guaranteed for life.

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Technical specifications

• Brand: Poljot
• Model: Chronograph with inner bezel
• Estimated year: 1990s
• Origin: Russia (Moscow)
• Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
• Movement: Mechanical hand-wound, chronograph, 23 jewels
• Functions: Hours, minutes, sub-seconds, chronograph (30-minute counter), date, tachymeter, rotating inner bezel
• Case: Chrome-plated, cushion-shaped, steel caseback
• Diameter: 38.9mm (41.8mm with the crowns)
• Lug to lug: 45mm
• Thickness: 9.5mm
• Lug width: 14.6mm
• Crowns: Two fluted crowns — winding on the right, inner bezel on the left
• Dial: Light blue-grey, black hour markers with luminous dots, two counters, date window, original
• Hands: Black with luminous channels, orange chronograph, original
• Crystal: Acrylic (condition 8/10)
• Strap: Smooth navy blue leather, not original
• Buckle: Pin buckle, not original

Condition and guarantee

• Overall condition: Good state of preservation. The original dial is crisp, its counters and date clear, the luminous dots even. The chrome-plated case shows pronounced signs of wear and scratches on the sides and lugs, visible in our photographs. Crystal acrylic with light marks, rated 8/10.
• Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
• Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
• Mechanics: Movement serviced in 2024, guaranteed for 1 year
• Included: Atelier Victor invoice
• Not included: Original box and papers

Frequently asked questions

How does the chronograph work?
Using the two pushers flanking the right-hand crown: the upper pusher starts and stops the orange hand, which measures the seconds around the dial while the right-hand counter totals the minutes, up to thirty; the lower pusher resets everything to zero. The left-hand sub-seconds, meanwhile, runs continuously — this is the normal running of the watch.

What are the two crowns for?
The right-hand crown winds the movement and sets the time and date. The left-hand one controls the inner rotating bezel: the ring graduated for sixty minutes, placed beneath the Crystal, turns to align its marker with the minute hand — and measure elapsed time without using the chronograph. Protected beneath the Crystal, this bezel fears neither knocks nor accidental misadjustment.

What is the tachymeter scale for?
To read an average speed at a glance: start the chronograph as you pass a marker — a kilometre post, for example — and stop it at the next one; the orange hand then points, on the outer scale, to your speed in kilometres per hour. It is the classic instrument of period chronographs, inherited from pilots' and drivers' watches.

Who is Poljot?
“Flight” in Russian — the brand of the First Moscow Watch Factory, founded in 1930 to provide the USSR with its own watchmaking industry: the oldest of the Russian factories. Renamed Poljot in honour of Gagarin's flight, it equipped pilots and cosmonauts, and after 1991 continued producing its mechanical chronographs — of which this one, signed Made in Russia, is a witness.

Is this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist?
With a 38.9mm diameter, 45mm Lug-to-lug, and just 9.5mm thick, it carries a true instrument presence on wrists of roughly 16 to 20cm — a guidepost, never a rule: everyone wears what they like. The Lug width measures 14.6mm, a narrow width specific to this case: we will assist you in finding a suitable replacement strap when the time comes.

A piece selected by Atelier Victor

Authenticated, checked, and photographed by us. As all sales are final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos or a video of the piece in hand — so that your choice can be made with complete peace of mind.

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