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Louis Erard Unveils the Limited-Edition Gravée Main

Since 2021, Louis Erard has been redefining the boundaries of Métiers d’Art, from Grand Feu enamel and guilloché to wood marquetry, and soon, gold wire inlay. Now, Gravée Main opens a new chapter, paying tribute to one of the oldest crafts in watchmaking hand engraving.
Gravée Main represents a new milestone in Louis Erard’s Métiers d’Art series. This limited edition of 99 unique timepieces places hand engraving at center stage, with every metal element entirely engraved and finished by hand, a meticulous process that requires more than 50 hours of work. 

Raketa

Raketa is a company with roots dating back to the 18th century. By the order of Tsar Peter I, the Petrodvorets Jewelry and Watch Factory was established in 1721. The factory successfully positioned itself as one of the pioneers in the luxury goods industry in Europe. During the World War period, the factory played a crucial role by manufacturing precision components for military use. In April 1945, the Kremlin issued an order to create the Pobeda watch brand, which subsequently became the first watch to enter space.

Since 1961, the factory has produced men's watches under the Raketa brand, named in honor of Yuri Gagarin (Russian for "rocket"). Raketa manufactures 24-hour watches for polar explorers and astronauts, military timepieces for the Russian Army and Navy, as well as mechanical wrist and pocket watches for Russian citizens. All Raketa watches are crafted in Petergof (Petrodvorets), a city near St. Petersburg, Russia.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian watch industry underwent significant transformations. Raketa, like many other enterprises from the Soviet era, confronted challenges stemming from economic restructuring and heightened competition from foreign brands. Despite these hurdles, Raketa persevered through the turbulent post-Soviet period by adapting to shifting market conditions while preserving its heritage and embracing modernization. The factory continued its tradition of producing mechanical watches, catering to enthusiasts who value traditional craftsmanship.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Raketa watches both domestically and internationally. The brand's rich history, coupled with its distinctive designs and mechanical movements, has garnered attention from collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Raketa watches have rightfully earned a prestigious reputation in the global market, offering a blend of modern styling, accuracy, reliability, and longevity to meet the most discerning tastes. Additionally, their reasonable pricing adds to their appeal. The diverse range of Raketa timepieces includes calendar watches, 24-time zone indicators, Sonar watches, and Raketa Big Zero.

Some of the most renowned Raketa men's wristwatches include the Raketa Big Zero, Copernicus (Copernic), Raketa 24-hour, Eternal Calendar (Perpetual), Raketa Automatic, WorldTimer, and Raketa 3031.

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