In time, everything and nothing changes
MakTime — Factory report
Russian watches have a certain mythical quality. In fact, the former Soviet Union was once one of the major players in the watch industry. However, social upheaval brought about radical change and the new era was followed by a period of economic recession. As older companies disappeared, new ones emerged to take their place. One of these is Maktime, which brings together the expertise of former leading Russian watchmakers. UHREN-MAGAZIN went to visit the manufacturer in Moscow.
The process for gaining access to the Russian watch industry is very different from a visit to a Swiss manufacturer, or even the luxury German watchmaker Glashütte. For starters, you need a visa, which can only be obtained if you receive an official invitation from the manufacturer and have a hotel reservation confirmed in writing.
As if landing at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport wasn’t enough to get my adrenalin pumping, this is then followed by a crazy ride in a taxi, which nearly finishes me off. The driver pays cash on the spot for two nights at the hotel and then suggests that we meet up again here tomorrow morning at nine. Before I even have a chance to object, he’s gone…
Call for freedom
…. and then he’s nearly an hour late the next morning. It’s pouring with rain. He parks in an unpaved area by some sort of acoustic barrier. Through an opening in the barrier, I can see that there are several train tracks on the other side. The driver reacts to my look of bewilderment by frantically pointing in the direction of the tracks. A train rushes past. “Dawai”, he says politely, which basically means “Come on!” and then we “calmly” cross the road bed. It’s hard to believe that a watch-making factory actually lies behind a second wall, which this time features an encoded lock set into a “bomb-proof” door and is followed by rigorous security checks. It’s equally hard to accept that the official, and in fact only, way to access the factory is to take the path over the tracks. I am greeted by Alexander Makarov, who, according to his business card, is the Chief Executive. He gives me Russian tea, a mischievous smile and the promise that he will spend the whole day with me. The telephone rings. One moment please. Duty calls…
Alexander Makarov is not only the manager of the family-run business Maktime; he also co-owns the company with his brother Vjacheslav. Whereas Alexander is the business graduate, Vjacheslav is the development engineer. The two watch enthusiasts set up their factory in 1996, initially to manufacture cases, which is still one of their key skills. These would then be used to encase movements and sold as watches. “We got a taste of freedom,” recalls Alexander Makarov, “and the chance to make some money.” Business was initially confined to Russia, with international trade starting much later in 2005, when the company acquired the production line for the chronograph calibre 3133 from the crumbling First Moscow Watch Factory (Poljot); a factory where Alexander Makarov once worked as head of sales. Prior to this, in 2003, Maktime had also purchased a majority share of the Zarja watch factory in Penza,