Raketa
Peterhof, Russia · Est. 1721
Founded by Peter the Great
Raketa is Russia's most iconic watch manufacture, rooted in the Peterhof factory established by Peter the Great in 1721 and relaunched as a watch factory in 1945. Famous for its hand-crafted mainsprings produced to a precision of 0.5 microns, Raketa represents the enduring spirit of Russian mechanical watchmaking from St. Petersburg.
- Founded
- 1721
- Headquarters
- Peterhof, Russia
- Group
- Independent
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Polar — A 24-hour watch originally designed for Soviet Arctic and Antarctic expedition teams who needed to distinguish day from night during polar conditions.
- Copernicus — Features a rotating disc dial inspired by the heliocentric model, one of the most recognisable Soviet-era watch designs ever produced.
- Big Zero — An iconic design with an oversized '0' at 12 o'clock, originally created for the visually impaired and now a cult collector's piece.
- Avant-Garde — A modern collection featuring in-house automatic movements, representing Raketa's contemporary ambitions while honouring its Soviet-era design language.
Timeline
- 1721 — Peter the Great establishes the Peterhof Lapidary Factory near St. Petersburg, originally producing gemstones and precision instruments.
- 1945 — The factory pivots to watchmaking after World War II, producing movements for Soviet timekeeping needs.
- 1961 — The brand is renamed 'Raketa' (Russian for 'rocket') in honour of Yuri Gagarin's spaceflight.
- 2011 — The factory is revived under new Franco-Russian management, relaunching Raketa with fully in-house manufactured movements.
- 2025 — Russian watchmaker continues production from its historic Petrodvorets factory near St Petersburg, producing in-house movements despite international sanctions affecting exports.
Frequently Asked Questions about Raketa
- Does Raketa make its own movements?
- Yes — Raketa is one of very few watch manufacturers worldwide that produces movements entirely in-house, from hairspring to balance wheel, at its Peterhof factory.
- Why is the factory dated 1721?
- Peter the Great founded the Peterhof Lapidary Factory in 1721. It transitioned to watchmaking in 1945 and was renamed Raketa in 1961.