My Valentine's Day Gift - Arrived Today, 3/11
This was a Valentine's Day gift from my kind and lovely wife. She ordered it in January and it just arrived today from Ukraine. ❤ We understand why it was late.
She had no idea which watch to get me (of course it had to be a watch, as we'll all agree) and rather than ask, she browsed on her own and chose this Sturmanskie which commemorates the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin, from the Soviet Union. I don't read Russian, but if I had to guess, it says, from the top, "Sturmanskie" then the logo, then probably like "First Man In Space" with the date shown under the hands (that much is clear) and probably the guy's name above the second hand dial. Perhaps one of our international WatchCrunchers can confirm?
What she didn't realize is that I'd already "favorited" this exact watch! She had no idea. We both laughed when we discovered this today because we do have very similar tastes in almost everything and it's a running joke with us.
These are re-dialed and re-cased vintage movements, but that doesn't bother me one bit. The 34mm case is very uniquely-shaped - which immediately makes it stand out - and the color of the dial, which seems cream with a touch of light green, with those old font numerals in light green, plus the red markers on the 15's...love it!:
The lume is cool but fades quickly. NBD, I don't need lume on my watches in general:
And the movement, a (non-hacking) Raketa 2603, manufactured between 1955-59 (likely later in that period) with 16 jewels, a Breguet hairspring and what I believe to be a Wostock shock device protecting the balance:
All in all, it's a unique and cool watch that you won't likely see in the wild. I've ordered a military green NATO strap to replace the black one that came with it (she ordered it with a green strap, btw). This is a fun watch and a great gift which I appreciate very much and will go next to the Molnija she gave me for Christmas. ❤
UPDATE: Green NATO has arrived, the combo she intended:
That looks better.
~Father ~Christian ~Husband ~Gearhead ~Fisherman ~Ailurophile ~Woodworker ~Gun Collector ~Photographer ~Watch Collector ~Caribbean Traveler & Beachgoer ~IT Professional: MS-ISM, BA-COMM, SOC
Gorgeous. I'd love to see the Breguet hairspring in action for... reasons.
That movement is cool. Gotta love the star.
That movement is cool. Gotta love the star.
Yes! It's such a minor detail but has a great impact!
Gorgeous. I'd love to see the Breguet hairspring in action for... reasons.
Great find and gift from your wife! Congrats and enjoy!
Great find and gift from your wife! Congrats and enjoy!
I still can't believe the chances of her choosing a watch - among all the watches out there, in a blind search - that I had saved as a favorite. That in itself adds sweetness to the gift.
That is awesome 😎 It's so cool that she found the exact one that you wanted! And that movement might be vintage, but it provides a sense of old school nostalgia that will make it a unique part of your collection! 😃 Bravo! 👏
I still can't believe the chances of her choosing a watch - among all the watches out there, in a blind search - that I had saved as a favorite. That in itself adds sweetness to the gift.
She probably sneaked in or hacked your account hehe... kidding.
But give it to her... ladies are great sleuths for unique finds like those.
In order top to bottom since I can read Russian: “Sturmanskiye,” “First Man In Space,” “12 April 1961,” “Yuriy Gagarin”
Also, Raketa made excellent movements and still do (just morally problematic to price right now) and that’s the Polish spelling of Vostok. Raketa should have been making their movements in house by this time period with no externally sourced parts.
Nothing not to like there. But those numerals in particular are just outstanding! Congrats!
My wife says that it's as you suspected, except that it says "First person in space." (She studied Russian all 4 yrs in college.)
In order top to bottom since I can read Russian: “Sturmanskiye,” “First Man In Space,” “12 April 1961,” “Yuriy Gagarin”
Also, Raketa made excellent movements and still do (just morally problematic to price right now) and that’s the Polish spelling of Vostok. Raketa should have been making their movements in house by this time period with no externally sourced parts.
I can't believe I guessed correctly about what it said, word for word, lol! I swear I had no idea and it was just a guess! God's honest truth!
And thanks for the cool info! 🍻
My wife says that it's as you suspected, except that it says "First person in space." (She studied Russian all 4 yrs in college.)
Ah, thank you. I want to be able to say what it says correctly. Please thank your wife for me.
I'm surprised that it says that, actually, given that it was a "man's world" back then (no offense, ladies), plus it was the Soviet Union, and who'd have thought to say "person?" Intriguing...I wonder if the original said "man" and was later revised under the current social climate?
Perhaps. When was the replacement dial made?
Perhaps. When was the replacement dial made?
Can't say.
How to find a woman that would gift me watches? 😄 This is one of the best watches I've seen on this platform, congratulations!
I still can't believe the chances of her choosing a watch - among all the watches out there, in a blind search - that I had saved as a favorite. That in itself adds sweetness to the gift.
That is incredible, especially since that’s such a niche watch. Its not like it was some ubiquitous watch everyone loves.
congrats on having a great wife and a nice, new piece!
My wife says that it's as you suspected, except that it says "First person in space." (She studied Russian all 4 yrs in college.)
As someone who actively uses it most days, человек can be translated as man or person. The whole context thing 😉
Sorry about that, I was just parroting what my wife said. I didn't see that you had even responded when I posted. I will, of course, defer to your translation, since you use it daily. 👍 My wife ended her studies and left St. Petersburg in 2002, although she still has skill with the language, because of all the Russian podcasts she follows. 🙂
How to find a woman that would gift me watches? 😄 This is one of the best watches I've seen on this platform, congratulations!
Thanks! 🤝 And I will pass along your kind comments.
The right person will know what you want. My wife collects seashells, so for Valentine's Day I bought her some unusual shells that we can't find near us. She flipped out, as I did with my watch gift. When you put the other person first, and they reciprocate in kind, everybody wins.
That is incredible, especially since that’s such a niche watch. Its not like it was some ubiquitous watch everyone loves.
congrats on having a great wife and a nice, new piece!
It was Divine intervention! Had to be.
A way cool watch! Great case shape, and it looks really good on that NATO strap.
Thanks! 🤝 And I will pass along your kind comments.
The right person will know what you want. My wife collects seashells, so for Valentine's Day I bought her some unusual shells that we can't find near us. She flipped out, as I did with my watch gift. When you put the other person first, and they reciprocate in kind, everybody wins.
Thank you for the thoughts!
Not a fan of fake faces, reproduction ones not so much. I bought one once.
Not a fan of fake faces, reproduction ones not so much. I bought one once.
I get it, it's not everyone's cup of tea. 🤝
To me, I look down and see a beautiful watch, with a true vintage 50's heart, given to me by my love. ❤
Very nice gift from the better half! I seldom see movements in that color tone (gold/bronze/copper?). I usually see winding rotors having similar color but not the whole movement. 😮 Congratulations, wear it in best of health!
Very nice gift from the better half! I seldom see movements in that color tone (gold/bronze/copper?). I usually see winding rotors having similar color but not the whole movement. 😮 Congratulations, wear it in best of health!
Thanks! I went back and looked at some macro shots I took of the movement and it seems to be the typical color one sees. Must have been color shift on that pic.
This old late-50's Russian movement is running only +5/s over the last 24 hours, so I'm really pleased, given that was all over the place on the timegrapher. I was hoping it would even out when considering all positions and it seems that it did.
What a cool pickup! It’s in phenomenal shape, congrats!
Wowwwww very nice watch. Great gift 💥💥💥