| As a watch collector and amateur horologist, I've | | | | Aviator, a brand strongly tied to Russia's rich |
| noticed one watch company flying under the | | | | aviation history. |
| radar, seemingly overlooked in the clutter of | | | | A good example of a watch in this line is the |
| brand names. That company is Volmax, a Russian | | | | Hughes Aviator. It's a classic "aviator" watch in the |
| watch company headquartered in Moscow. | | | | generic sense of the word. The watch was |
| If you are thinking about buying a Breitling or | | | | developed with a marketing tie-in to the movie |
| Omega or other brand of pilot or aviator watch, | | | | "The Aviator", the story of eccentric aviation |
| I'd suggest taking a look at Volmax, especially if | | | | pioneer Howard Hughes, which starred Leonardo |
| the prices of the big Swiss brands are making | | | | DiCaprio. |
| you hesitant. | | | | The quality of Volmax watches is good and their |
| Though you may not have heard of them, | | | | performance compares favorably to many Swiss |
| Volmax is not exactly new on the scene. The | | | | aviator-style chronographs -- even though some |
| company was formed in 2000 when a group of | | | | models cost only one-third of the price. |
| experienced watch professionals took over the | | | | Most Volmax watches are based on the Poljot |
| Poljot factory. Poljot was the most recognized | | | | 3133 chronograph movement, which has been |
| and prestigious name in the history of Russian | | | | produced since 1975. It's a reliable, hand-wound |
| watchmaking. It could be said that Volmax has | | | | movement that serves as the heart of the |
| taken over where Poljot left off. Indeed, the | | | | watch. Other models are equipped with Swiss |
| company has a great pedigree. | | | | ETA 2671 and ETA 7750 movements. |
| Volmax watches are not marketed under the | | | | Cases for Aviator watches are made of stainless |
| "Volmax" name. Instead, the company produces | | | | steel. You see, true pilot watches cannot be made |
| and markets several different lines. My favorite | | | | of gold or other soft metals. |
| line of watches under the Volmax umbrella is | | | | |