[Silversen]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

michele, I was thinking about Soyuz as well. Unfortunately MakTime sounds to me as watch maker from Macedonia
The greatest watch-makers in USSR were named after space topics. Even Vostok isn't because of meaning "East", but because the space program "Vostok". Chaika is also not simple the bird seagull, but the nick-name of Valentina Tereshkova. So, let's open Roscosmos web page and inspect the current names of Russian space ships or programs:
Soyuz (used)
Solyut (yeah)
Proton (come on...)
Zenith (hahaha, no way)
Cyclon (no)
Rokot (wtf)
Kosmos (I think it's nice anyway), космос (danger to be read as kocc-mocc).

Also, I like very much Zaria name and I think for the international market they can use it for high-end watches. In Cyrillic "Заря" looks pretty nice with two out of four specific letters.

That`s interesting way to find a brand name, but you should also have in mind that the Zaria watches are classical ones and the MakTime watches are mostly classical too and partially aviation styled (http://www.smirs.com/index.php?cPath=183). As for me, I think a united MakTime-Zaria brand should be styled and positioned as classical Russian watches, because being aviation styled they become competitors to Aviators and Sturmanskie having the same MakTime movements.

Of course, Заря watches (IMHO) must be on sale as a basic line of MakTime watches.
I see that the Заря watches have slightly different reputation in Russia and abroad Russia.

 

[storyteller]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

Russia is often associated with cold weather. GOST tests, at least in USSR, were conducted under 0 - 40 Celsius against +8/+38 COSC. 'Best watches for deadly cold weather' was one of the arguments I was able to sell to other watch enthusiasts while defending Russian watches, maybe this could be used alongside with military / space lines.

 

[Silversen]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

I just wonder, with the situation from ETA as I understand it (stopping sales of movements to others outside the Swatch group), I wonder if only the Russian industry could hold on for just a bit longer and perhaps there will be a market for suppliers of movements of all types to replace ETA, which might help the Russian industry? :think:

All that the Russian watch industry wants is sound investments. We have got intellectual resources; we have got good perspective handwound and automatic movements (for example, Chaykin V10 - 10 days power reserve, MakTime 30644 and Zaria 2615) even in this awful situation. The main issue is money. :think:

 

[Silversen]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

Russia is often associated with cold weather. GOST tests, at least in USSR, were conducted under 0 - 40 Celsius against +8/+38 COSC. 'Best watches for deadly cold weather' was one of the arguments I was able to sell to other watch enthusiasts while defending Russian watches, maybe this could be used alongside with military / space lines.

It sounds like a good marketing move for a defender passing from a defending position to counterattack. :-!

 

[michele]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

Zarja brand is mainly known in Russia for women watches, but is still better than Maktime for western market.

For example, in Italian, "Zarja" resembles to "zarina" (zar's wife), although its meaining is totally different. But it's still is an evocative name ("zar"), better than Maktime for sure, and suitable for men's watches too. There is much fun and play in creating new brands.

However, i would call watches and movements as "Makarov", with some small add if the brand is registered (as "CJIABA" did adding "Sozvezdie"). The reminiscence with pistols is too cool, and if the owner's surname is Makarov, why not?

They have very nice models, a new brand would valorize them. People is always searching for watches with in-house movements, why to waste this treasure with a banal brand?

 

[cavallino33]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

I agree I think Makarov would be a good name. It is a great sounding name. Not everyone would like the gun connection (I think it's kind of cool though), but given that it is not a house hold name it is unlikely that someone who dislikes such thinks would associate makarov pistols with makarov watches immediately.

Maktime is a really awful name though, and the logo is not very attractive either. It's not a name that inspires quality.

 

[michele]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

I agree I think Makarov would be a good name. It is a great sounding name. Not everyone would like the gun connection (I think it's kind of cool though), but given that it is not a house hold name it is unlikely that someone who dislikes such thinks would associate makarov pistols with makarov watches immediately.

Agree. I'm not a weapon enthusiast, but i find weapons kinda cool as mechanical stuff.

See here: http://www.kalashnikovwatches.com/site_e.html
Those watches have nothing of Russian though.

So, please Mr. Makarov, put your name on your watches and movements (it sounds well to our Western ears) and get rid of that cheap "Maktime". :-!

The rule "English names for English people" is not always valid, especially talking about things (like wristwatches) that must have much personality.

 

[cavallino33]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

See here: http://www.kalashnikovwatches.com/site_e.html
Those watches have nothing of Russian though.

Yeah exactly. Kalishnikov is too well known and it's too polarizing a name even if it does sound good. Not bad looking watches though.

 

[michele]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

Here is a very simple revisited brand b-)

Search for "Maktime Aviator" on Google Images, and tell me what is more fascinating ;-)

Well, probably we should open a marketing office :roll:

 

[cavallino33]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

I think your onto something. It's clear and identifiable. Also if my googling was correct the cyrillic version would be Макаров which also looks decent and is close enough to the roman alphabet version to not confuse people.

What is the maktime logo supposed to be anyway? Not the Maktanm text part but the thing above it. Maybe it's because I don't read Russian but I have never been able to figure out what it is.

 

[Silversen]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

I agree I think Makarov would be a good name. It is a great sounding name. Not everyone would like the gun connection (I think it's kind of cool though), but given that it is not a house hold name it is unlikely that someone who dislikes such thinks would associate makarov pistols with makarov watches immediately.

Maktime is a really awful name though, and the logo is not very attractive either. It's not a name that inspires quality.

Okey, guys. The name Makarov is a good one for a military watch. But what about a classical looking watch? Is this brand name any good in this case? Just imagine a watch of this type with the logo "Makarov." And we understand that the only answer is: no way.

When we look at their gold watches we think of classical music. The mechanical watch is something like music. They produce Russian watches. So, we think of great Russian composers: Tchaikovsky, Prokophiev, Glinka, Shostakovich, and so on. Maybe, the name Onegin is a good one.

Guys, you seem to be very clever ones. I'm sure you can dig deeper.
Come on, try and give me one or two alternatives.

 

[domi]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

Buran Siberia (3105/1319787) - 12,500 RUR

Wow... A Siberia costs $400 USD now?
Dear god, they used to be $170 watches. Has anything about the design changed?

 

[cavallino33]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

Wow... A Siberia costs $400 USD now?
Dear god, they used to be $170 watches. Has anything about the design changed?

Looks like he's referring to the new 3105 version not the old molnija powered one that was cheap. Still though a $200+ jump and I don't think the 3105 is all that much better unless you just have to have a date window. :-d

 

[Sodiac]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

Wow... A Siberia costs $400 USD now?
Dear god, they used to be $170 watches. Has anything about the design changed?

Nah, Julian Kampmann has them for 195 Euros minus 19% for outside EU.

 

[McSteve]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

Great thread! Very informative. :-!

 

[Chascomm]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

So Maktime are rationalizing as much of their production on the 31mm base movement as possible, including a basic 3109 and 3114 (nice to see a new Russian manufacturer respecting the old numeric codes). Pity they didn't just drop an auto-winding module on the 3133, like what Sea-Gull did with the ST19. Might have saved them some expense, and provided a point of diferentiation from all the 7750-style movements out there.

And they've bought up the Slava tooling to support the 30664. Well if it gets a new Russian calibre out there, then I guess it's worth it, but I really hope they removed any specific dies etc and stored them somewhere safe with the blueprints (maybe in a time-capsule?).

Regarding what Mr Makarov says about other manufacturers, it would be best to get the information directly from those manufacturers. It is hardly in his interest to suggest any possibility of the survival of the 2612.1. Then again, if Vostok were to say that the have the potential to make it in the future, is that any more of a vague teaser than Raketa saying that they have the potential to resurrect the 3031.

No surprise about the demise of the Molnija 3600/3602/3603. I doubt Makarov is lamenting that as it opens up more opportunities for a Maktime 3103. I bet we see that before the year is out for those customers who might want a real Russian movement in a basic '9 eater' watch (e.g. Alexander Shorokhoff?).

Zarja really need to lift their game by the sound of it. I doubt that Makarov has ever really been interested in their long-term survival. A shame really. The 2615 has potential to offer something different in the growing international demand for thin automatics.

Thanks Silversen for organizing this interview, and thanks Mr Makarov for taking the time to answer.

 

[michele]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

So Maktime are rationalizing as much of their production on the 31mm base movement as possible, including a basic 3109 and 3114 (nice to see a new Russian manufacturer respecting the old numeric codes). Pity they didn't just drop an auto-winding module on the 3133, like what Sea-Gull did with the ST19. Might have saved them some expense, and provided a point of diferentiation from all the 7750-style movements out there.

I always thought that an automatic 3133 is not impossible to make, with the optimization of the V-shaped bridge height, or even with alternative solutions as a micro-rotor. Cheaper than a totally-new caliber for sure.

I'm doubtful about the success and the production of the caliber 30664. The market is plenty of 7750 clones, the 30664 would be just more expensive.

And they've bought up the Slava tooling to support the 30664. Well if it gets a new Russian calibre out there, then I guess it's worth it, but I really hope they removed any specific dies etc and stored them somewhere safe with the blueprints (maybe in a time-capsule?).

Silly choice. The Slava movement was an excellent basis. Double barrel, day-date with quick setting, and it was possible to upgrade it to 32 jewels with a new (old project) ball-bearing rotor. Very, very bad decision.

Anyway, i wonder about the incoming P3109 by Maktime (no date version). Considering that all the 3133 have already a big power reserve, and that ALL of them stop working at 23.30 'o clock (when the date mechanism starts to engage), i think that the 3109, with the same maispring and without the "obstacle" of the date mechanism, will be a real marathon runner! :-!

 

[pacifichrono]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

Thank you Silversen, for another outstanding job!

:thanks

By his answers, it's obvious Mr. Makarov is a very astute businessman. I am chagrined to hear his confirmation of the deaths so many historic Russian movements. I am personally saddened to hear that the Molnija 36xx movements are history...very sad. :-(

 

[michele]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

I am personally saddened to hear that the Molnija 36xx movements are history...very sad. :-(

That's a major loss. I would expected the purchase of the production by Maktime of other companies. It was the only alternative to Unitas about pocket watch movements, and it was also much more pleasantly designed.

The ZIM-Pobeda movements were worthy to be rescued too - try to imagine them well-finished (as the early versions) and fitted in classic-design cases.

I bet that many manufacturers (official or "underground" ones) will continue to produce watches with Molnija movements, refurbished and/or swapped from NOS cheap pocket watches.

 

[Xantiagib]

Re: News and Comments from MakTime: Aleksandr Makarov`s Exclusive Interview for WUS Russia

....someone had better move quick before the chinese movements become the norm.

I have nothing against the chinese movements just would be nice to have some varierty out there... (and a secret wish to see the 30644 )