The Elektronika 5 watch was born during a pivotal shift in both the tech world and the watch world.
With the "Quartz Crisis" digitizing wrists worldwide, the Soviet Union flexed its long history of watchmaking to make a watch for everyone with the elektronika series. Digital watches that performed right up alongside their American TIMEX and Japanese Casio counterparts, the watch was purposefully made to be for everyone - From cosmonauts to politicians to iron workers and students, the USSR wanted to prove to the west that a timepiece need not be a luxury good.
Decades later, with the glory days of the USSR far behind, we get a glimpse into what things were like with simple everyday objects - A simple digital watch with fun & useful features for the everyman.
After searching for ourselves, we found out that unlike some Russian watches that are still in production today, the LCD digital variety is relegated to second-hand markets only. So, we rolled up our sleeves and decided to re-make our favorite one.
Working with a manufacturer to make the movement anew from scratch, we replaced a couple of the melodies, remastered the face, and otherwise kept the look and feel of the original "chrono melody" model intact.
The result is absolutely slavtastic - Do you recognize any of the melodies?
- Stainless Steel Case & Bracelet
- Available in Gold & Stainless finish
- Adjustable clasp (we recommend picking up a watch band tool)
- Accepts quick release and spring-bar locked 18mm bands for customizability
- 3 ATM water resistance
- Reverse-backlit digit LCD display
- Japanese CR2016 battery for long life
- Stopwatch, Timer, Alarm, Hourly Alarm, & Full perpetual calendar functions just like the original
- NEW melodies composed by Ivan in house: Turkish March, Fur Elise, Kalinka, STALKER Bandit Radio & the USSR national anthem
- Assembled in China
- Perfect for being a Cosmonaut, steel mill working, potato farming, & other party-approved activities.
Size
- 18mm lug width
- 35mm case width
- 38mm lug-to-lug length
- Adjustable to fit 6-8" (15.25-20cm) wrists
Our Elektronika comes with a full set of instructions, but if you'd like to watch a video instead, you can watch it below.
The People's Timepiece
The People's Timepiece
Our remake and remix of the Elektronika 5 Chrono Melody Watch
Feature Set
Alarm, Stopwatch, and full perpetual calendar capability. 24-hour format with a seconds-counter.
3 ATM water resistance - will take handwashing and the occasional rain, but no swimming.
If you don't like the bracelet, you can swap it out with practically any 18mm band on the market.
"Inverse" Style backlighting
Backlight shows through the digits instead of being corner lit for a more retro feel.
Ivan's Special Mix
Choose between a standard beep, the Turkish March, Fur Elise, Kalinka, the Bandit Radio music from S.T.A.L.K.E.R. or the USSR national anthem in all it's vintage-chiptune glory.
(See videos on page for sound demonstration)
Set it & Forget it
The wristband requires no link removal, just unlock the clasp to allow it to slide along the band and snap it in place.
One size fits most, works on 6"-8" wrists (More sizing info available above)
Proprietary Movement
Our watch mimics the functionality of the original using a brand-new quartz movement made just for KommandoStore.
Complete Your Outfit
Living the Slav Life? check out tracksuits, sneakers & more from KS SPORT
Rush B
Elektronik Revolution
Elektronik Revolution
Why we chose to remake this watch, and its legendary history as a propaganda tool
Steel-Millers, Students, and Cosmonauts
The Elektronika series watches were the staple digital watch during the time of the Soviet Union, worn by everyone from politicians to proletariats.
With a rich history of watchmaking, Russia developed their quartz timetelling tech shortly after Japan & The United states, and thrived during an era of turmoil in the watch industry that drove Swiss traditionalists to the brink of bankruptcy.
It Just Works... And Works...
It's light weight, Simplicity, reliability, futuristic styling, low cost, and ample set of features made the elektronika series of watches wildly popular in the USSR during the 80s.
It's Never Just A Watch.
The Elektronika was used as a propaganda symbol during a notable interaction between Brezhnev and Kissinger — A "Proof in the pudding" statement that said, "the Soviets are right on your tail, and everyone can afford one of these." Of course, this competition didn't last in the end.
After the subsequent collapse of the USSR, the Elektronika did not survive like the larger Russian Watchmakers Vostok and Raketa. Instead, it faded into obscurity with a cult collector market and a second-hand presence on eBay.
We brought it back, but not without picking a few new tunes...
