This month, Raketa debuted a third tool watch model within its collection of manufacture-powered timepieces.
Completing a trilogy of in-house manufactured, professional-focused timepieces that include the Amphibia 0321 dive watch and the Polar 0300 explorer wristwatch, is Raketa’s all-new Pilot 0301 aviation timepiece.
Raketa’s Pilot 0301 is presented in a 42 mm x 13.05 mm, 49 mm lug-to-lug, stainless steel case with a fixed bezel, integrated tapered stainless steel bracelet (20 mm lug width). Finished with a mixture of circular and straight grain (matte) brushed surfaces, and accented with subtle (polished) surfaces on the case flank edges, the bracelet edges, and the crown. The Pilot 0301 watch is all about visibility and reliability, without the flash.
The Pilot 0301 has a domed sapphire crystal with a double anti-reflective coating to ensure visibility on the dial side and a flat sapphire crystal mounted within the screw-in stainless steel caseback. The brand’s emblem caps the end of the screw-down crown and is made with a unique sandwich construction that’s aesthetically pleasing compared to a typical raised, engraved, or printed design.
Being that this is a tool watch designed for professional aviators, it’s good to see that the watch is properly water-resistant to a depth rating of 200 meters. Some companies deliver watches with far lower ratings, and considering the nature of such a watch, this level of water-resistance is appreciated.
The first aviator watches were built as professional tools, focusing on durability, reliability, and readability over shininess and flair. Pilot watches typically need to have a strict and minimalistic design with a round case, a high-contrast dial, wide hands, and large numerals.
From the large printed numerals and indices to the long hour, minute, and center seconds hands, and prominent minute/second chapter track, the Pilot 0301 is easy to read, with precision, at a glance. And even at night, the generous application of luminous material ensures high readability.
One of the standout features of Raketa’s Pilot 0301 timepiece is the automatic manufacture caliber 2615 that powers its time-only display. With bi-directional winding, the 2.5Hz, 24-jewel, mechanical movement easily stays wound with just the motion of your wrist. It can be hand-wound as well. Manufactured from A to Z at the Raketa Watch Factory in St. Petersburg, the caliber 2615 is adjusted in 4 positions, to an accuracy level of -10/+20 seconds per day, before it leaves the factory. The oscillating weight has Neva waves printing, and the movement is not highly decorated, but for such a pragmatic timepiece, the industrial aesthetic is apt.
Raketa designed the watch with nothing superfluous, to stay true to pilot watch traditions, however, they added a toolless bracelet change function, which is purely a modern convenience. In addition, they’ve included a black genuine leather two-stitch strap with a quick-release function so the bracelet and strap can be effortlessly swapped.
The Raketa Pilot 0301 (Ref. W-14-16-30-0301) is available as a pre-order for 1,950 Euros (approximately $2,220). Learn more at Raketa.
Photos by Raketa.
