Watchbazar was fortunate to review The Aviator
Sturmanskie enjoys the prestige of being the first watch in outer space. Russian cosmonaut Juri Gagarin wore a Sturmanskie when he become the first man in space on April 12, 1961.
STURMANSKIE NAVIGATOR PILOT GAGARIN SPACE WATCH
Sturmanskie watches are still manufactured and sold today, though they have been updated considerably for the current market. Sturmanskies are manufactured by VOLMAX .
Sturmanskie watches use a variety of mechanical movements including the following calibres: 2614, 2623, 26669, 3133 and 31681.
Volmax is a Moscow-based company that produces the Aviator, Buran and Sturmanskie watch brands. They also produced the Russian Watch Factory brand (RChZ).
Volmax was formed in 2000 by former Poljot employees.
In 2002, the company registered three of the most famed Russian watch brands, Aviator, Buran and Sturmanskie, with the latter holding the distinction of being the first watch in space.
The Aviator line is the official watch of the Russian military aerobatic flying team, the SWIFTS.
Most Volmax watches use Russian movements. Others use Swiss ETA movements.
Volmax says it sets itself apart from other Russian watch companies “with a direct link to the heritage of the First Moscow Watch Factory combined with young, aggressive watchmakers determined to revive the Russian watch industry to its previous glory.”
Volmax watches are not cheap. These are quality watches with a very good level of finish. An entry-level Aviator watch costs about $150. Many Volmax watches sell for between $500 and $1000. Some cost much more.
Many Volmax watches fit in the category of “limited edition” or “collectors” watches.
Volmax is officially distributed in more than 25 countries.
