Chaika (Russian: ?????, meaning "sea-gull") watches are a women's brand made in the Soviet Union and Russia. The factory making Chaika watches was founded in 1940 as Volga in the city of Uglich for the production of precision technical stones and watch jewels. The factory subsequently made watches with small calibres (16 mm).

In 1956, the company changed its name to Chaika, marketing watches under two brand names ? Chaika and Volga.

"Chaika" was the call sign of the first female cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the watch brand was named in her honour.

"Chaika" still manufactures movements for some of their watches; however quality problems that have plagued the company since the breakup of the Soviet Union have caused "Chaika" to source most of the movements to Asian manufacturers, Miyota Citizen in particular.

According to their US distributor, Chaika is the only watch factory in Russia which complies with International Watch Standards (ISO 9001-2000) for durability.

Chaika watches are usually adorned with enamel painting or filigree metal-work. To some Western eyes, they are rather gaudy and associated with "Soviet kitsch."

External links

• Chaika watches at WATCH.ru (Ru) (2006)

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