Petrodvortsovy Watch Factory «Raketa»
One of the oldest enterprises in Russia: it began as Peter's lapidary factory.
An inconspicuous factory building on the main avenue traces its history back to 1721. That was when Peter founded the Peterhof Lapidary Factory: here precious stones were cut and jewelry was made for the royal family. In the mid-18th century, the Englishman Joseph Botheim was commissioned to «brilliantine» diamonds and train four Russian apprentices. After the revolution, the factory made precision technical stones for the army, and in 1949, by Stalin's order, they began assembling «Pobeda» and «Zvezda» wristwatches here. Since 1961 — the year of Gagarin's flight — the factory has produced watches under the «Raketa» brand. They are still made here, in Peterhof.
Walks in Peterhof / Day trips
⌚ Old Peterhof: the station, the boar menagerie and the "Raketa"
The flip side of Peterhof, where locals live: a station with history, the abandoned English Park and a factory that began as Peter's lapidary works.