STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

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artphotodude
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STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

Post by artphotodude »

Just ran across this on Ebay from Hungary, with NO BIDS YET. I chatted with the seller about it and it was just serviced. Probably the most stunning homage to a 1940's Rolex Explorer ever. AND it is an export model so the day is in English, and the bid is starting at just $49.00.

Auction ->> https://www.ebay.com/itm/114777907073

Excellent 2628.H (19-Jewel Movement) with Quick Date-Set (you just pull-out on the crown). I have too many cool Russian watches to buy more, but this deserves to be in a good collection!
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

artphotodude wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 5:03 am Probably the most stunning homage to a 1940's Rolex Explorer ever.
Except...

The Explorer was launched in 1953 and those hands and indices look rather 1970s.

Was there a day-date Explorer?

Nice watch, though.
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

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Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 5:36 am
artphotodude wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 5:03 am Probably the most stunning homage to a 1940's Rolex Explorer ever.
Except...

The Explorer was launched in 1953 and those hands and indices look rather 1970s.

Was there a day-date Explorer?

Nice watch, though.
Quite right. It was actually made in the 1980's. But has the closest shape to the 1940's angular Rolex cases of any clone/copy/homage, out there. Might just be a really nice conversation starter, as this case shape is not quite like anything else most people have seen.
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

Ah, right. I guess there is some resemblance in the case, but I didn’t look at that. I’m no expert on either Rolex or Russian watches, but it was just the 1940s “Explorer” reference along with the 1970s style hands that made me wonder.
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

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Amor Vincit Omnia wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 6:42 am Ah, right. I guess there is some resemblance in the case, but I didn’t look at that. I’m no expert on either Rolex or Russian watches, but it was just the 1940s “Explorer” reference along with the 1970s style hands that made me wonder.
My Bad! To be honest, whenever I think of a NON-Submariner, I always think Explorer. My how disappointed James Bond would be in me!

It is an interesting shape. Reminds me a bit of 80's Rolls Royces - sort of "Compressed" luxury!
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

Post by Lavaine »

Honestly, the sharply angled lugs have zero resemblance to a Rolex case. If anything it looks like an early 2000's IWC Ingenieur (or literally any other Genta design).
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

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Lavaine wrote: Mon Apr 26, 2021 3:21 am Honestly, the sharply angled lugs have zero resemblance to a Rolex case. If anything it looks like an early 2000's IWC Ingenieur (or literally any other Genta design).
That is a slight variation from the Rolex, but overall the compact "THICK" case and flat-section joining the lugs is overwelmingly similar IMO. Later, Rolex really veered toward longer, slimmer lines (like the Omega Seamasters of the 1960s), and have never looked back. These early models have a very unique squatness, that is analogous to how the Cartier Santos went about trying to look rugged and tough around the same time, while also being made out of luxury watch materials. I really applaud the Cold War designers at Raketa for picking up on this lost aesthetic, and also building on it with their flat, faceted bezels (on most of these, but there are a few variations). For the money, these are some of the nicest-looking Rolex homages there are; with ultra-reliable movements and THICK gold-plating that really wears well. Only their chrome-plated models seem to wear roughly.
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

Post by Lavaine »

artphotodude wrote: Tue Apr 27, 2021 2:57 am
Lavaine wrote: Mon Apr 26, 2021 3:21 am Honestly, the sharply angled lugs have zero resemblance to a Rolex case. If anything it looks like an early 2000's IWC Ingenieur (or literally any other Genta design).
That is a slight variation from the Rolex, but overall the compact "THICK" case and flat-section joining the lugs is overwelmingly similar IMO. Later, Rolex really veered toward longer, slimmer lines (like the Omega Seamasters of the 1960s), and have never looked back. These early models have a very unique squatness, that is analogous to how the Cartier Santos went about trying to look rugged and tough around the same time, while also being made out of luxury watch materials. I really applaud the Cold War designers at Raketa for picking up on this lost aesthetic, and also building on it with their flat, faceted bezels (on most of these, but there are a few variations). For the money, these are some of the nicest-looking Rolex homages there are; with ultra-reliable movements and THICK gold-plating that really wears well. Only their chrome-plated models seem to wear roughly.
I guess we'll agree to disagree. I don't think the angled lugs are a "slight" variation from Rolex, but rather are THE defining characteristic of what is an otherwise very generic watch.
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

Post by artphotodude »

Lavaine wrote: Tue Apr 27, 2021 6:57 pm
artphotodude wrote: Tue Apr 27, 2021 2:57 am
Lavaine wrote: Mon Apr 26, 2021 3:21 am Honestly, the sharply angled lugs have zero resemblance to a Rolex case. If anything it looks like an early 2000's IWC Ingenieur (or literally any other Genta design).
That is a slight variation from the Rolex, but overall the compact "THICK" case and flat-section joining the lugs is overwelmingly similar IMO. Later, Rolex really veered toward longer, slimmer lines (like the Omega Seamasters of the 1960s), and have never looked back. These early models have a very unique squatness, that is analogous to how the Cartier Santos went about trying to look rugged and tough around the same time, while also being made out of luxury watch materials. I really applaud the Cold War designers at Raketa for picking up on this lost aesthetic, and also building on it with their flat, faceted bezels (on most of these, but there are a few variations). For the money, these are some of the nicest-looking Rolex homages there are; with ultra-reliable movements and THICK gold-plating that really wears well. Only their chrome-plated models seem to wear roughly.
I guess we'll agree to disagree. I don't think the angled lugs are a "slight" variation from Rolex, but rather are THE defining characteristic of what is an otherwise very generic watch.
Considering these can be regulated to +-0-2 sec/day, have heavy gold plating that's lasted 30+ years and can be had for under $50, we'll have to disagree. They were made to bring value to masses of people, in opposition to the worship of scarcity & status-addictions we have in the West. In contrast with the oh-so-many here who will praise both Rolex and Timex in the same breath (from when people knew their place). Everything our collapsing world is telling us is that socialism was right, and humanity's very survival may well depend on elitism 'taking a powder'.
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

Post by Lavaine »

Literally nothing you just ranted about makes these a Rolex homage. That's great that these were well made, with a quality movement and quality plated cases, but that does not, in any way, shape or form, make them Rolex homages. That these were a product of a socialist regime, does not make them a Rolex homage. That you want to burn down our capitalist society, does not make them a Rolex homage. It makes them exactly what they always were: A low-priced, high value watch for the masses. Nothing more, nothing less. There are 100 Seiko's out there that look more like a Rolex than this watch.

Wear it in good health. It's a nice design from an earlier time and place.
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

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Lavaine wrote: Wed Apr 28, 2021 1:04 am Literally nothing you just ranted about makes these a Rolex homage. That's great that these were well made, with a quality movement and quality plated cases, but that does not, in any way, shape or form, make them Rolex homages. That these were a product of a socialist regime, does not make them a Rolex homage. That you want to burn down our capitalist society, does not make them a Rolex homage. It makes them exactly what they always were: A low-priced, high value watch for the masses. Nothing more, nothing less. There are 100 Seiko's out there that look more like a Rolex than this watch.

Wear it in good health. It's a nice design from an earlier time and place.
The last comment was not in relation to whether the watch looked like a Rolex or not. It was in relation to the following elitist, prejudicial remark: ". . . very generic watch". As for the resemblance (or not), you are well within your aegis to see whatever you choose to see, but there is a reason, in collector's, why searching the term "Raketa Rolex" will bring these up every week on Ebay.
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

Post by Lavaine »

The fact that you think the term "Generic" is "elitist and prejudicial is interesting. Is it anymore elitist than listing a $50 Russian watch as a "Raketa Rolex" on eBay? Anyone who was proud of the watches socialist roots would never compare it to the poster child for Western capitalist indulgence, as to do so would be elitist and giving in to Western ideals.
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Re: STUNNING Raketa 'Rolex Homage'.

Post by Amor Vincit Omnia »

We must avoid this discussion becoming political, gentlemen.

However, just an insight if I may. And this is absolutely not to detract in any way from the quality of watches produced in the Soviet Union.

I was in the Soviet Union (as a tourist) in the 1980s, and we were constantly bombarded by people wanting to change money. Official exchange rate at that time had the ruble slightly under the pound, but waiters in the hotels were offering five rubles for £1. The reason being that while they had money, there wasn’t much to spend it on. We walked around GUM, which was then the Moscow equivalent of Harrods I suppose, and the stock was pretty dismal to say the least.

The shops everyone wanted to use were the Beriozka shops that sold western goods and only accepted western currencies. I had offers to swap or sell a bag, a jacket, a watch and even my jeans! All of which I declined.

No rights or wrongs here, it was just...different.

And please, no politics. Thank you.
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