Watchatlas

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 — Raketa’s Polar collection is built around a 24-hour display for expeditions and harsh polar conditions, continuing the brand’s long-standing association with Arctic and Antarctic exploration. Key references: official-polar.
  • Copernicus — Raketa’s Copernicus collection reimagines celestial motion on the dial, with planet-like hands and an astronomy-inspired display that pays tribute to the Copernican view of the cosmos. Key references: official-copernicus.
  • Big Zero — Raketa’s iconic Big Zero line centers on the oversized ‘0’ at 12 o’clock, a Soviet-era design that became a cult classic and remains one of the brand’s most recognisable signature collections. Key references: official-big-zero.
  • Avant-Garde — A modern collection featuring in-house automatic movements, representing Raketa's contemporary ambitions while honoring its Soviet-era design language. Raketa's official Curiosity/Avant-Garde pages and product pages confirm the collection name and support the slug. Key references: Curiosity collection page.

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.

Visit Website ↗Instagram ↗

Other independent Russia watch brands

enfrdeiteshizhjaar