Every watch fan has heard of the Omega Speedmaster and many have heard of the Bulova Lunar Pilot, but how many have heard of the Poljot Strela? I’m willing to bet not many. In the 50s the Soviets purchased equipment for the Venus 150 from the Swiss. They improved it by decreasing the beat rate and adding two extra jewels. Then, in 1959, production of this Russified 3017 movement from the First Moscow Watch Factory began. The initial run of these watches was reserved for the Soviet Air Force, and went by the name ‘Strela’ (Стрела) meaning ‘arrow’ in Russian.

The Poljot Strela pilot chrono soon became legendary when worn by the cosmonaut Alexei Leonov on the 18th of March 1965 during the Voskhod 2 mission, during which he performed the first ever spacewalk. The Poljot Strela became the first watch to function in the open cosmos. Leonov wore a white-dialed unlumed version; later generations added paddle hands and a black dial variant, which would continue to be used by cosmonauts. Hence, the Strela is truly the ‘Soviet Speedy’.

Now, a reissue is being produced with modern dimensions and updated materials. You can choose from a few diameters, date or no date, and between the Seagull ST19 or Poljot 3133 movements (I chose the former, as it is a Chinese reissue of a Venus, so truer to the original, while the Poljot 3133, although a real Russian movement, is less closely related). This reissue also comes with a sapphire crystal, arrives alongside an extra RIOS leather strap and comes with some treats (They are produced in Germany, so the ‘Russian’ treats aren’t truly Russian).

The only gripes I have with it is that the highly polished hands disappear into the dial in bad lighting, and the lume doesn’t last very long. Regardless, this watch stays true to the design language of the original and for under 1k, the amount of history and quality you get for it is unparalleled.