Raketa USSR Watch — Hexagonal Blue Granite-Textured Dial (1970s)
Only 1 available
Shipping from Europe — taxes and customs duties are the buyer's responsibility outside the EU
Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Movement guaranteed for 1 year
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Photo taken on a 17.5 cm wrist
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Atelier Note
A hexagon of granulated blue fading into silver, entirely in Cyrillic, bearing the State quality label — the Raketa the Soviets kept for themselves.
A Cyrillic Raketa, with the granulated blue of the domestic market
This watch is a Raketa, produced in the 1970s by the Petrodvorets manufacture, near Saint Petersburg — Russia’s oldest factory, founded by Peter the Great in 1721 and renamed Raketa, “rocket,” in 1961 in tribute to Gagarin. This one is a Soviet domestic market version: РАКЕТА in applied capitals, Сделано в СССР written out in full — not an export watch, but one that the Soviets themselves wore.
Its dial is the most elaborate of its kind: a hexagonal panel with a frosted grain presenting a gradient from deep blue to silver — the texture catches the light like frozen metal, and the color shifts with the angle of the wrist. A black ring surrounds it, bearing the applied hour markers and the 12 and 6 numerals. At six o’clock, the Znak Katchestva pentagon — the USSR’s State quality label, awarded to productions deemed exemplary: a period detail sought after by collectors.
The polished faceted cushion case of 36.7mm carries the full format of the decade, beneath a domed acrylic Crystal in very fine condition.
The Petrodvorets hand-wound mechanical movement has been checked by our partner watchmakers and is guaranteed for one year. The watch is fitted with a later black crocodile-style leather strap.
Three points to note
01
Granulated blue gradient — the frosted hexagon that shifts from deep blue to silver depending on the light.
02
Domestic market version — entirely in Cyrillic, the Raketa that the USSR kept for itself.
03
State quality label — the Znak Katchestva pentagon at six o’clock, a detail prized by collectors.
Why choose a vintage Soviet watch?
This vintage Raketa watch holds a precise place among vintage men’s and women’s watches: its 36.7mm cushion case can be worn equally well by either, and the Cyrillic domestic market versions are, in the eyes of collectors, the most authentic of Soviet watches — produced with no concessions to the West, they wear their history plainly. Add the granite dial and the State quality label: this is the Raketa with character, at the entry-level budget of authentic vintage.
Like all our vintage mechanical watches, this one has been opened and inspected by our partner watchmakers: movement check, 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 lifetime-guaranteed authenticity.
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Technical specifications
- Brand: Raketa
- Model: Domestic market, blue granite dial
- Estimated year: 1970s
- Origin: USSR (Petrodvorets)
- Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
- Movement: Mechanical hand-wound
- Functions: Hours, minutes, center seconds
- Case: Steel, faceted cushion shape, steel caseback
- Diameter: 36.7mm (39.4mm with crown)
- Lug to lug: 39mm
- Thickness: 12.6mm
- Lug width: 18mm
- Crown: Steel, fluted
- Dial: Gradient blue granite, hexagonal panel, black ring with applied hour markers, Znak Katchestva label, original
- Hands: Steel baton hands, fine seconds hand, original
- Crystal: Acrylic (condition 9/10)
- Strap: Black crocodile-style leather, not original
- Buckle: Pin buckle, not original
Condition and guarantee
- Overall condition: Good state of preservation. The original granite dial is crisp, its gradient even, the markers, numerals and label sharp, the hands intact, the Crystal in very fine condition. The polished case shows signs of wear scratches on the bezel and sides, visible in our photographs.
- Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
- Mechanical: Mechanical movement serviced in 2024, guaranteed for 1 year
- Included: Atelier Victor invoice
- Not included: Original box and papers
Frequently asked questions
What does the pentagon on the dial mean?
It is the Znak Katchestva — the USSR State quality label, created in 1967 and awarded to Soviet products deemed exemplary after inspection. Seeing it printed on a dial meant that production of this reference had received the distinction, and the factory displayed it proudly. In the collectors' market, this pentagon has become a sought-after detail: it dates the piece and marks its period standing.
Why is everything written in Cyrillic?
Because this watch was intended for the Soviet domestic market: РАКЕТА in capital letters, « Сделано в СССР » — made in the USSR — written out in full. Export versions translated these markings into English; domestic versions, like this one, are regarded by collectors as the most authentic — produced without compromise, for those who made these watches.
Who is Raketa?
The Petrodvorets manufacture, near Saint Petersburg — Russia’s oldest factory, founded in 1721 by Peter the Great as the atelier lapidary workshop of the Peterhof Palace. Converted to watchmaking after the war, it took the name Raketa in 1961, “rocket,” in tribute to Gagarin’s flight. It produced its movements entirely in-house — a true manufacture — and still exists today.
How do you wind a hand-wound watch?
Gently turn the crown clockwise, about twenty turns, until you feel resistance. Never force it beyond that point. Daily winding, at the same time each day, is enough to keep the watch running — Petrodvorets calibres are renowned for their robustness.
Is this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist?
With a 36.7mm diameter, 39mm Lug-to-lug and 12.6mm thickness, it suits wrists from approximately 15.5 to 19cm — a guide, never a rule: everyone wears what they like. Its compact cushion case with short lugs wears with presence, and the dial steals the show. The Lug width measures 18mm, which makes it easy to change the strap.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Authentication Process
Each watch is examined by our partner watchmakers before being offered for sale: verification of authenticity, checking the conformity of the components, identification of any modification or replacement of original parts.
If any element has been replaced during the life of the watch (dial, hands, crown, Crystal, strap), we systematically indicate it in the product sheet. You buy knowing the exact history of your piece.
Certificate of Authenticity
Your Atelier Victor invoice serves as a certificate of authenticity: it attests to the origin and conformity of the piece, and is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee — if a piece sold by Atelier Victor were found to be non-authentic, it would be fully refunded, with no time limit.
Free delivery
Delivery is free on all our pieces internationally. Dispatch within 48 to 72 business hours by DHL Express, Emirates Post, EMS or an equivalent carrier depending on the destination, delivery within 2 to 14 business days. Each shipment is insured and delivered against signature.
- Tracking number sent as soon as the shipment is dispatched
- For certain destinations, delivery may be made to a secure collection point in order to guarantee the integrity of the shipment
Collection in Dubai
In-person handover by appointment in Downtown Dubai. Make an appointment.
Taxes and customs
The shipping origin is indicated on each product page. If the delivery country differs from the shipping country, customs duties and taxes may apply upon receipt and are payable by the buyer. Customs inspections may in rare cases extend the delivery time.
For full details, please consult our shipping policy.
FINAL SALES
All sales are final: no return, exchange, or cancellation is accepted after order confirmation. Each piece is authenticated, inspected, and described in detail before being offered for sale.
BEFORE PURCHASE
Our advisors remain at your disposal for any questions and can send you additional photographs or videos upon simple request, by email or on WhatsApp.
NON-CONFORMING ITEM
In the exceptional case of an item that does not match its listing, please notify us within 72 hours: it will be eligible for a refund or an exchange. If the parcel shows damage upon delivery, it should be refused or its opening filmed continuously.
For full details, please consult our return policy.
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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