Sturmanskie watches - issued for soviet Air Force

Sturmanskie watches in Russian means “navigator’s”. This brand will always be remembered as a first watch in space. Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space and during his flight on 12 April 1961 he wore a Sturmanskie watch. 

Sturmanskie chronographs were issued exclusively to army officers and were not available to the general public. In opposition to the “civilian” chronographs, the Sturmanskie watches were equipped with stainless steel cases, pushers and crowns.