Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space and his
Strumanskie
Type I and Type II
Meet the Strumanskie, a watch often lurking in the shadows, eclipsed by the legendary Omega Speedmaster and unfairly dismissed by many as mere junk. But let's not rush to judgment here; this timepiece has an untold story worth uncovering. The real question, though, is what exactly adorned the wrist of the esteemed Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin?
Now, don't be fooled by some shoddy Photoshop attempts, zoomed-in images that don't quite match the original, and a conspicuous absence of a crown when you scrutinize it closely. Could it be a pocket watch conversion? The grainy photos don't provide a definitive answer. Yet, amidst this haze of historical ambiguity, one thing remains clear – the Strumanskie Type 2 is the watch officially associated with the Cosmonaut
The image above shows Yuri Gagarin wearing the watch in question over his space suit. It is said, this was the Strumanskie TypeII.
The experts chime in, revealing that Yuri Gagarin had not one but two Strumanskies in his service. The first, the Strumanskie Type I with its 15 jewels, accompanied him during his academy days, before he rocketed into his role as a Cosmonaut. Then came the Strumanskie Type II, boasting 17 jewels and a later calibre, the one he took to the stars. Russian watchmakers sing praises of these timepieces, touting their robustness and claim they can tick away accurately for half a century without needing a service – a testament to their inner workings. Interestingly, the movement draws its roots from a LIP calibre, with the French playing a part in establishing a factory in Russia at that time.
Image above showing a couple of examples of the Strumanskie Type I, differentiating itself from Type II with different hands and crown and an earlier, simpler movement.
But here's the catch – the Strumanskie world isn't without its share of impostors and Frankenstein creations, not to mention the Strumanskie Re-Issue. The Type I with 15 jewels is still attainable for those who are diligent and know what to look for, while the Type II with 17 jewels is a trickier beast to spot in the wild.
A bona fide Strumanskie should sport radium lume on both its Arabic numerals and hands, producing a positive reading on a Geiger Counter for confirmation. The hour and minute hands should carry that distinct blue hue. And unlike the larger re-issues, the case diameter should measure a modest 33mm, excluding the crown.
These original Strumanskies, exclusively issued by the Soviet Air Force between 1949 and 1960, possess a certain undeniable charm. They look especially striking on the wrist, particularly when paired with a weathered bund strap, evoking a unique blend of history and style
