One of the most recognizable designs from the Soviet watch industry – the perpetual calendar or “vechnik” (вечник). Likely inspired by the Orient Multi-Year watches. There are plenty of variants with different dial colors. Featured here is my favorite one that has a white dial with Roman numerals and black / pale green text.
Model number: 231087
Movement: Raketa 2628.Н (manual)
Lug width: 18mm
Case: chrome-plated, ~40mm
Period: 1980’s to early 1990’s
The perpetual calendar is manual, i.e. it’s not connected to the watch movement. The crown at 4 o’clock allows you to align the year and the month (at the bottom of the dial) in order to determine the day and the date (at the top of the dial). Soviet designers thought that the end was coming in 2000 as this is the last year available. However, just deduct 28 from the current year and you can get this functionality back!
Here is this exact watch in a catalog:
Would you like me to source a Raketa Perpetual Calendar for you? Please get in touch.