Raketa Copernicus (Kopernik) Ref. 3031024
Dress Watch / Avant-Garde Artistic Watch · Raketa (Petrodvorets Watch Factory). Founded in 1721, it is Russia's oldest factory. Tier: Affordable Vintage / Collectible Tool & Dress.
Period: Late Soviet Era / Avant-Garde (1980s). Characterized by geometric abstraction and celestial themes common in Soviet design from this decade.
Type
Dress Watch / Avant-Garde Artistic Watch
Brand
Raketa (Petrodvorets Watch Factory). Founded in 1721, it is Russia's oldest factory. Tier: Affordable Vintage / Collectible Tool & Dress.
Movement
Manual/Hand-wound mechanical, Caliber Raketa 2609.НП. 19 jewels, 18,000 bph frequency, approximately 40-42 hour power reserve.
Dimensions
Case diameter: 35mm, Thickness: 10mm, Lug-to-lug: 41mm, Lug width: 18mm. Wears larger due to the thin bezel and large dial surface.
Description
The Raketa Copernicus is an icon of Soviet horological design, conceptualizing the heliocentric theory of Nicolaus Copernicus. The watch replaces traditional hands with geometric shapes representing celestial bodies. As they rotate, they create eclipses and changing geometric patterns, turning the passage of time into a minimalist orbital dance. Its green textured dial is one of the more sought-after variants, offering a striking contrast to the gold-toned hands.
Key Features
Circular 'Sun' and 'Moon' hands; unique sand-texture green dial; 'СДЕЛАНО В СССР' signature; the specific overlap of hands once per hour mimicking an eclipse.
Dial Description
Green 'granulated' or 'sand' textured dial. Features unique 'Sun and Moon' hands: the hour hand is a gold-tone solid disc (the Sun) and the minute hand is a hollow gold-tone ring (the Moon). Printed minute track in white. CCCP quality mark logo at 6 o'clock.
Case Material
Brass with gold-colored titanium nitride (TiN) plating or chrome plating (this specimen shows a gold-tone finish). Highly polished finish.
Crystal Type
Domed acrylic (Plexiglass) crystal, typical for Soviet production of this era.
Bezel Details
Fixed, thin internal bezel integrated into the case structure. Highly polished gold-tone metal.
Crown & Pushers
Small, knurled push-pull crown at 3 o'clock, typically gold-plated brass to match the case.
Bracelet or Strap
Gold-tone stainless steel mesh (Milanese) strap with a folding clasp. While matching the color, this is likely an aftermarket addition as these originally shipped on simple leather straps.
Caseback Details
Snap-on stainless steel solid caseback. Traditionally bears a serial number but few other markings.
Movement Type
Manual/Hand-wound mechanical, Caliber Raketa 2609.НП. 19 jewels, 18,000 bph frequency, approximately 40-42 hour power reserve.
Water Resistance
Not water resistant. Should be kept away from splashes, rain, and high humidity due to the snap-on back and acrylic crystal.
Origin & Provenance
USSR (Soviet Union), manufactured in Saint Petersburg (then Leningrad). In-house Soviet movement.
Age Estimate
Circa 1980s - early 1990s. The 'СДЕЛАНО В СССР' (Made in USSR) marking indicates pre-1991 production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the peak of Soviet artistic watch design, moving away from purely utilitarian military timepieces into the realm of conceptual jewelry and philosophy.
Condition Notes
Case appears to be in Good condition with some wear on the plating edges. Crystal shows minor surface scratches. Dial is Excellent with no visible fading. The mesh strap is a modern replacement.
Value Estimate
$150 - $300 USD. Value is highest for original 'CCCP' versions in good condition with original cases. Green and black dials often command a premium over white.
Care & Maintenance
Service every 3-5 years. Avoid water (0 ATM resistance). Keep away from strong magnets. Hand-wind daily at the same time for best accuracy, but do not over-wind once resistance is felt.
Similar Watches
Raketa 'Big Zero' (similar era and brand), Pobeda 'Eisner' designs, and modern re-issues by the revived Raketa brand which cost significantly more.
Interesting Facts
The watch was designed to symbolize the Copernican revolution. It became one of the few Soviet watches to gain a cult following in the West due to its 'space-age' and 'Bauhaus' aesthetic.