Raketa Space Launcher
Available in two color combinations, here with a blue adventurer dial, this Raketa offers a rich symbolism on the theme of the cosmos and Russian space exploration.
It is equipped with an automatic Manufacture caliber displaying the time over 24 hours, with a globe acting as a second hand. The 24H indication finds its full legitimacy when humans lose the sensory ability to precisely locate and feel day and night. Here, the theme of a watch linked to the field of space exploration takes on its full meaning with this 24-hour dial. We find the (almost) invariable markers on any contemporary Raketa such as the 0 instead of the 12 (in this case 24 here) and a touch of red on the crown.
The dial is made of synthetic aventurine, glittery and deep midnight blue, reminiscent of the starry vault. On the back, the mechanism is distinguished by a decoration on the theme of the cosmos on a sandblasted base. Another point is the bezel is made of aluminum from a Soyuz MC-17 rocket.
PS not easy to take a picture under the "sun" of Saint Petersburg!

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Rolex Explorer II 16570

A Rolex that is still quite affordable, allowing you to benefit from a 24-hour function at a low price, whose rating is also reasonable.
Bought recently, it has never been polished or serviced, so wear it with caution because it was made in 2006.
A versatile tool watch, which brings in more than a livret A, to wear everywhere except in the city on the street. Resistant to the elements, precise, great readability make it a reliable and comfortable travel companion in all circumstances when you don't want to ask yourself too many questions about which watch to wear in the morning more or less well up.
The buckle suffers from its unreassuring feeling about its robustness, especially compared to modern Rolexes.
All that remains is to take the time to service it and a light brightening with it!



A daily slipped neatly under the sleeve

Longines Ernest Francillon 1867
The main and major interest here is its mechanism. Case in 18k yellow gold, water-resistant to 30m, this extra-flat Longines is equipped with a record-breaking extra-flat caliber of the time, a Jean Lassale 1200, 1.2mm thick.
This caliber was then bought by Piaget and then abandoned because it was unreliable.
Although qualified for high complications for several Swiss houses, 20 years of professional experience, I have never been able to make its operation reliable and apparently the problem of untimely stopping is known on this caliber. Between the absence of a dart at the anchor, some wheels mounted on bearings and a very relative thickness of the bridges, there is no shortage of reasons.
Regardless, the result is unique in its kind due to daring technical choices, the industrial challenge that it represented and for me also in the re-dressing. This is perhaps the reason why it only worked for about 6 months, and why I bought it new from stock in 1992.
A Longines with something other than an ETA engine, rare enough to be mentioned!


Longines Ernest Francillon 1867

Parmigiani Toric

Having worked for the brand, it was a very nice work experience and I decided to bring back a souvenir with me.
This white gold Toric measures 38mm, blue sapphire cabochon, dragon enamel dial. Limited series of 10 pieces, this one being the 5th, not the best number, not the worst either.
Enamel dial designed by Michel Parmigiani's daughter, case with just and perfect proportions, respecting the golden ratio.
Lémania mechanism, therefore used mainly at Breguet now.
No silicon, we are at the beginning of the 2000s when this collection appears.
I bought this one in 2008, rarely worn, changed the hands at the factory, originally they were blued, and carefully preserved, this Parmigiani is an exclusive watch, dressy, for evening without excess.
My 15.7 cm wrist is perfect for this kind of dimensions. The location of the Manufacture in Fleurier adds a significant dose of legitimacy when it comes to the link with China, a dial decorated with a Chinese dragon, Fleurier being the bridgehead for the trade of Swiss watches in China in the 19th century. A very rich history superbly described in Chapuis, la Montre Chinoise.

Dragon enamel toric

Designed by Gérald Genta, the Gefica bi-retrograde is, as is often the case with his creations, combining a pioneering spirit, authenticity and a strong personality, but also prestige-class finishes on the casing and movement. Launched in the 2000s, how time flies..., 46mm, tribal look and bronze were just as offbeat as a luxury sports steel watch with an integrated bracelet in the 70s. The mechanism is from Peseux, (the additional plate on the other hand, I don't know where it comes from, GG didn't have the production capacity for its plates from what I remember) 
It is therefore a basic mechanism that is therefore mainly found at Girard Peregaux. So very large crown, be careful with handling which can become too rough for this Manufacture mechanism. 
The color of the rhodium plating could make you think of nickel silver but it is not. Perlage all along the line, a decoration on the bridges considered less noble than the eternal Geneva coasts. Playful display, very readable, the size also helps. Titanium back and buckle, not allergenic. My wrist measures a really very small size, 15.7cm, so not easy to wear for me, but what a legend, a watch designed by Gérald Genta, it's a step closer to his grail watch, the one that is our own inside. Here I chose a model that is raw on the outside but refined to the one who wants to see it. 
This Gérald Genta is a watch for initiated collectors. P.S. The strap is a second-hand one, made of alligator by a former colleague who worked for a long time in a luxury group, the strap is made using the so-called rembordé technique, it comes on the edges and sewn underneath the lining, longer in time than just painted on the side.

A watch from a legend of contemporary watchmaking.

<p dir="ltr">The Russian watch brand <strong>Raketa</strong>, founded in <strong>1961</strong>, has its roots in the Imperial Manufacture of Peterhof, established in 1721 by Tsar Peter the Great. This factory, located in Saint Petersburg, is the oldest in Russia still in operation. Initially specializing in cutting precious and semi-precious stones, it contributed to iconic works such as the 1924 Lenin Mausoleum and the Kremlin ruby ​​stars.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">The Beginnings of Watchmaking</h2>
<p dir="ltr">After the Second World War, the Petrodvorets factory diversified its activities by launching into watchmaking. In 1945, it began assembling watches under the brands Zvezda ("Star") and Pobeda ("Victory"), the latter celebrating the victory over Nazi Germany.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Birth of the Raketa Brand</h2>
<p dir="ltr">In 1961, in homage to the first manned space flight by Yuri Gagarin, the "Raketa" brand (<strong>which means "rocket" in Russian</strong>) was created. This initiative reflects the spirit of innovation and space conquest of the Soviet era.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Expansion et Production</h2>
<p dir="ltr">At the peak of its production, in the 1970s, the factory employed around 8,000 people and produced up to 5 million mechanical watches per year. These watches were intended for civilians as well as soldiers, cosmonauts, polar explorers and Olympic athletes.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Post-Soviet Challenges and Renaissance</h2>
<p dir="ltr">After the fall of the Soviet Union, Raketa went through a difficult period, but was able to revive itself by modernizing its facilities and collaborating with international experts. Today, the manufacture produces its own movements in-house, including hairsprings and escapements, which is rare in the global watch industry.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Iconic Models</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Among Raketa's emblematic models, we find the "<strong>Polar</strong>", designed for polar explorers with a 24-hour dial, and the "<strong>Ba&iuml;konur</strong>", dedicated to cosmonauts. Raketa is one of the few global watch brands to entirely produce its own mechanical movements. Its range includes models such as the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/raketa/baikonur"> Raketa Baikonur</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/raketa/avant-garde"> Raketa Avant-Garde</a> or even the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/raketa/polar"> Raketa Polar</a>.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Raketa watch cost?</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The price of Raketa watches evolve and differ depending on the model. <strong>Most cost between 1,600 &euro; and 2,200 &euro; depending on the models and finishes</strong>. An Avant-Garde Raketa costs &euro;1,950, while a &ldquo;Sonar&rdquo; Raketa is priced at &euro;2,000. The second-hand and vintage markets are also an opportunity to find cheaper Soviet-era watches.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h2>
<p dir="ltr">Raketa is owned by the Pobeda brand and produces around 7,000 watches per year, all models combined. To choose a Raketa that suits you best, <strong>Dialicious owners&rsquo; reviews</strong> are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.</p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated November 2024)</p>

<p>La marque <strong>SYE</strong> [Start Your Engine] a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en <strong>2020</strong> par Arnaud Pezeron &agrave; c&ocirc;t&eacute; de Paris en France. La marque inaugure le Sport Tailoring au poignet. Elle propose des montres sport-chic de caract&egrave;re, fiables, ludiques et abordables inspir&eacute;es de l'univers de la m&eacute;canique auto-moto. La gamme comprend deux mod&egrave;les distincts, la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/sye/mot1on_automatic_24">SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 </a>et la <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/sye/mot1on_chronograph">SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</a>.</p>
<p>Cette marque embarque une innovation sur le changement du bracelet disponible en acier ou en cuir. La montre n'offre aucun espace entre le bracelet et la boite d&ucirc; &agrave; l&rsquo;absence de cornes, ce qui am&eacute;liore son confort et sa portabilit&eacute;.</p>
<h2 class="p1">Combien co&ucirc;te une montre&nbsp;SYE&nbsp;?</h2>
<p class="p1">La gamme SYE comporte deux mod&egrave;les disponibles sur le site de la marque : La <strong>SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24</strong> est propos&eacute;e &agrave; partir de <strong>750&euro;</strong>. La <strong>SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</strong> est propos&eacute;e &agrave; partir de <strong>599 &euro;</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>SYE</strong> est ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines montres par an tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une SYE qui vous correspond le mieux, les <strong>avis clients Dialicious</strong> sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_francaises"><span class="s2">Classement des meilleures marques de montres fran&ccedil;aises</span></a> dont SYE fait partie.</span></p>
<p>(Mise &agrave; jour Novembre 2023)</p>

<p dir="ltr">The brand <strong>SYE</strong> [Start Your Engine] was created in <strong>2020</strong> by Arnaud Pezeron near Paris in France. The brand is introducing Sport Tailoring on the wrist. It offers sporty-chic watches with character, reliability, fun and affordability inspired by the world of car and motorcycle mechanics. The range includes two distinct models, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sye/mot1on_automatic_24"> SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24</a> and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/sye/mot1on_chronograph"> SYE MOT1ON Chronograph</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This brand has an innovation in changing the bracelet available in steel or leather. The watch offers no space between the bracelet and the case due to the absence of lugs, which improves its comfort and portability.</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a SYE watch cost?</h2>
<p dir="ltr">The SYE range includes two models available on the brand's website: The SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 is offered from &euro; 750. The SYE MOT1ON Chronograph is offered from &euro; 599.</p>
<p dir="ltr">SYE is independent and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an SYE that best suits you, the Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real customer experience.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_french_watch_brands"><span class="s2">Ranking of the best French watch brands</span></a>, including SYE.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">(Updated November 2023)</p>

Raketa Space Launcher Owner Review : Unusual, conceptual and original

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Other reviews published by Giraudet

Rolex
Explorer II

Longines
Ernest Francillon 1867

Parmigiani Fleurier
Toric Héritage

Gérald Genta
Gefica

Raketa Space Launcher Owner Review : Unusual, conceptual and original

Play and read!

Other reviews published by Giraudet

RolexExplorer II

LonginesErnest Francillon 1867

Parmigiani FleurierToric Héritage

Gérald GentaGefica

Rolex
Explorer II

Longines
Ernest Francillon 1867

Parmigiani Fleurier
Toric Héritage

Gérald Genta
Gefica