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?

Specs

• 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 — rain, splash, and hand-washing OK
• Reverse-backlit digit LCD display
• Japanese CR2016 long-life battery
• Stopwatch, Timer, Alarm, Hourly Chime, & full perpetual calendar functions just like the original.
• Includes instruction booklet to get started
• NEW melodies composed by Ivan in house: Turkish March, Fur Elise, Kalinka, STALKER Bandit Radio & the USSR national anthem
• 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

 

The bracelet that comes with our Elektronika 5 is designed to be one size fits most, roughly from a 6" wrist to an 8" wrist. 

See product specs for more info about the size of the watch case itself.

If you're picky about your watch bands or want to customize your watch, our Elektronika 5 takes practically any 18mm width spring-bar type watch band!

Adjustment of the bracelet can be achieved by using a watch band tool (which we highly recommend purchasing separately for the best results) or small flathead screwdriver to lift underneath the notch where an arrow symbol is present. Then, you'll slide the clasp mechanism along the bracelet to the desired length. When the desired setting is found, align the pivoting point with an area between the links and firmly push the lever back into place.

You should be able to do this by hand without much resistance, and you'll hear a soft click when it goes into place. If you encounter too much resistance, you may be aligned on top of a link instead of in-between.

Permanently Modifying the Band

If you want to get rid of the extra links on the band instead of having them overlap, it is possible but not recommended to pry open the connecting links on the backside of the watch, which are folded over instead of having pins/screws connecting each link. We will not accept returns or offer exchanges if you decide to modify the links.

 If you prefer a different, more bespoke watch band, we recommend purchasing whichever 18mm spring-bar compatible band you'd like from a variety of stores online.

Our Elektronika comes with a full set of instructions, but if you'd like to watch a video instead, you can watch it below.

PSA: When adjusting the band, ensure that the latch is clamping down BETWEEN links. You should feel significantly less resistance when closing it.