| Unlike many Russians, I am not a big fan of commemorative watches. Frankly, I find most of them a little goofy, and the events that they commemorate are not always events I can relate to, or that I would care about. Most importantly, most commemorative watches are about the commemoration rather than about the watch. After all, if a watch is beautifully made, what need is there to “add value” (so to speak) to it by including a commemorative theme? Still, this one is the exception to the rule. First, because it is an absolutely beautiful watch. And second, but only second, because it commemorate mankind’s first step into space: the launch of the first satellite Sputnik.
Sturmanskie actually released an entire series of “Sputnik” models (others are covered elsewhere on this website), but this is the only which explicitly displays commemorative features: a globe is featured on the center of the dial, and the seconds hand has a small red arrow, a stylized Sputnik, circumnavigating the earth once each minute. The effect is very nice, but it does not distract too much, giving the watch a very nice – and original – balance as a commemorative and timekeeping object. Since the first watch in space was a Sturmanskie, it is only fitting for company like Sturmanskie to make a watch with a space-theme. After all, Russian watches were the first in space and they are an integral part of the Russian space ethos. Sadly, this model has no luminous features at all, and the date is displayed in a very small window. So while this is a most beautiful watch, is is not the most utilitarian one. |
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