Raketa "Hammer & Sickle," Soviet Star Dial (Caliber 2609.HA, Late 1980s-Early 1990s)

Raketa "Hammer & Sickle," manufactured at the historic Petrodvorets Watch Factory, Soviet Union. Manual-wind mechanical movement, caliber 2609.HA, 19 jewels, built entirely from Russian parts, wound clockwise via the side crown for a 36 to 42-hour power reserve, no battery required. Gold-plated brass cushion case, approximately 36-40mm diameter. White dial dominated by a bold red hammer and sickle emblem at center, honoring the political unity of industrial and agrarian labor, ringed by twelve solid crimson Soviet red stars marking the hour positions in place of numerals. "РАКЕТА" (Raketa, meaning "Rocket") signed below center in red, a name chosen in 1961 to honor Yuri Gagarin's historic spaceflight. Slender gold baton hour and minute hands with a matching red sweep seconds hand. Brown leather strap.

Story of This Watch: Few watches carry political symbolism as directly as this one, the hammer and sickle sitting at dead center of the dial rather than tucked into a corner logo, making it an unmistakable piece of late-Cold War Soviet material culture rather than a watch that merely references the era. Raketa itself was born from Gagarin's spaceflight, giving the brand its own layer of Soviet-era significance beyond the dial imagery, and pieces like this are sought after today specifically for that unfiltered historical directness.

Condition: Rated 4/5, excellent condition. Dial graphics crisp with the hammer and sickle emblem and red stars retaining strong color, minor age spotting consistent with the era. Gold case plating holds good luster with light expected wear. Hands intact and properly aligned. Leather strap supple. Manual winding and timekeeping confirmed operational.

Good Wrist Co. Assurance: Fully inspected & verified authentic. Raketa "Hammer & Sickle," caliber 2609.HA confirmed, Petrodvorets Watch Factory. Manual-wind movement verified & running. All components original, no non-original parts identified.