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Volmax Ltd - Russian pilot watches (PDF, 193K)
Copyright: Russian Magazine "Watch Biusiness" 2004

100 Years and 10 Watches
Article from Russian Magazine "My Watches" No. 2 March 2004

Watches, dedicated to the 100-year anniversary of the first flight, performed by Wright Brothers 17th December 1903, were produced by nearly all manufacturers of avia-watches - but only young Russian company Volmax decided to celebrate this special date approaching to production with Russian traditionally large scale – limited collection of 10 watches at once.
The achievements of native aviation in air and especially space conquering are worth it - judged Volmax.

Who is Who?

Volmax company, like many other Russian watch companies, appeared, as the saying goes, on the ashes of the Empire - on the base of 1st Moscow watch Factory. Volmax from its very first steps had been gripped in a vice of hard market competition. It had to determine the trends of growth and the unexpected and risky way had been chosen:
To concentrate on manufacturing collection watches.
Usually, only well established watch brands with world wide famous names and strong reputation dare to do it: no one will collect the watches, produced by “no name” manufacturer.
Thus, it was so important to make the first step. Fortunately, it appeared to be exceptionally effective and convictive. Above all, jubilee series watches differ from each other not only with hands and dials - They are unlike each other constructively.

The idea itself “To produce or not?” - Was not questioned inside the company.

The hottest discussion among the designers arose, regarding the names of the future models, particularly - what aviators’ names and what flying vehicles are to be immortalized?
Out of doubt were only Wright Brothers and Jury Gagarin personalities.
Chronologically Second model of the edition was finally decided to be dedicated to famous Russian avia-constructor Igor Sikorskii, who emigrated to the USA in the beginning of the last century, where he had created his unique airplanes and helicopters.
During WWII the “Immortal” fighter airplane IL-2 gained its glory as “death” airplane, but the air supremacy was conquered and kept particularly by Lavochkin airplanes. And finally, celebrated ace Ivan Kozhedub gained his more than 62 victories, piloting LA-5 fighter airplane.

After the “Shturmanskie - Gagarin” watches appeared STRELA. Thus, Volmax Company decided to remind to the World, that it was not Omega watches, which went into the open space for the first time. Soviet astronaut Alexey Leonov was the first human to come into the space vacuum, wearing on his hand STRELA watches, produced by 1st MWF. Among other achievements of the native spacecraft, which were marked by specially named watches, are the flights of the first and the last Soviet shuttle Buran and, of course, currently functioning International Space Station(M-303 ).

Two models completed the series:
The first one had been dedicated to one of the best contemporary airplanes – “Su-27”, while the second represents classical aviation chronograph watch “Shturmanskie”,
which soviet pilots were not sold to but typically equipped with .

“3133” Is the Fiery Heart!
The modifications of 1st MWF movement 3133, export variant of which was named by manufacturers Russian Chronograph, were installed in all of the “100 years of Aviation” jubilee watches .
Here are its main technical parameters:
Diameter 31mm, height 7,35mm, 23 stones, power autonomy 42 hours with the stop-watch turned off (36 hours with stop-watch turned on). Side second hand, central chrono-second hand, 30-minutes counter, and date calendar.

There exist several modifications of Russian chronograph –
3105(without stop-watch function), 17 stones, side second hand,
Also 31681(chronograph with additional small dial with 24-hours indication).
Swiss watches, equipped with movements of similar type, cost 10 times higher than native, even in usual serial complication. That is why Volmax watches are sold to foreigners quite well, especially to practical minded Germans. Besides Germany, company distributors are working in Great Britain, Portugal, Japan, Poland, Baltic states, some pieces can be even found on the American market. These are nearly the only Russian watches that possess competitive ability on the world market.

Collection Sparks

“Wright Brothers” - unique model produced in retro-style of the XX century beginning, appeals to unrepeatable design, original fixing system of case on the special strap with 4 screws and non-standard of winding crown - on the12th hour position. This hybrid of wrist and pocket watches arises memories ABOUT THE FIRST aviators, who piloted their airplanes, wearing pocket watches on the long straps. Two tachometer scales (speed calculation on the 100 and 1000m distance), blackened Breguet hands, enamel dial – no need to say – these are not everyday watches - they are true collection watches.
Sikorskii was realized in a classical instrument pad style of 1970 and has 2 Sparks: unique pusher construction (springs are placed outside) and particularly rare navigation scale. Constructed by American pilot - the first conqueror of Atlantic - Charles Lindbergh.
And again, despite 4 different dial designs, total circulation is 1000pcs.
Collection models are different, but intentionally maintained military style. But the particular service and success of Volmax designburo is concentrated on the idea that every watch conveys Spirit of certain part of the newest history.

Pictures below copyright by subwave 3-2004 (when poljot com was still leased by us)
The small assembly hall made it not clear where all the VM watches are produced though - note that all models on the pictures are older POLJOTs, Albatros etc.

The 1st Moscow Watch Factory - March 2004

Stanislav S. Nederov, Chief Designer and Award Winner
(For Wright Brothers Design)


Design Office (AutoCad Stations)

The 1st Moscow Watch Factory - March 2004

Watch assembly hall

Assembly workspace




Testing area, (Accuracy, Waterpressure)