Strela Chronograph Cosmos 40mm

Strela Cosmos CO40CYB – The Legendary Cosmonaut Watch with ST19 Column-Wheel Chronograph

A piece of space exploration history on your wrist: The Strela Cosmos CO40CYB combines the design of historic Soviet cosmonaut watches with traditional mechanical chronograph technology.

Exclusive at Poljot24.de: Your Strela comes with the original Strela pass-through leather strap and an additional high-quality RIOS1931 leather strap or a Molnija stainless steel Milanese mesh bracelet of your choice, completely free of charge. Two different case backs are also included: a beautifully engraved solid stainless steel case back and a transparent exhibition case back, allowing you to admire the fascinating mechanical movement.

The Strela Cosmos CO40CYB impresses with its deep black dial, Cyrillic inscriptions, classic chronograph layout and carefully finished stainless steel case with black PVD coating. With its 40 mm diameter, it offers comfortable, classic proportions inspired by the mechanical chronographs of the early space age.

Strela and the History of Soviet Space Exploration

Few mechanical wristwatches are as closely associated with the history of Soviet space exploration as the Strela. Its name means "Arrow" in Russian. The original Strela chronographs were manufactured at the First Moscow Watch Factory and were issued to pilots, military personnel and cosmonauts.

One of the most remarkable chapters in this history took place on March 18, 1965. On that day, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov left his Voskhod 2 spacecraft and became the first human being to perform a spacewalk. For approximately twelve minutes, he floated outside the spacecraft in the vacuum of space.

Leonov wore a Strela chronograph during this historic mission, establishing the watch as one of the most famous timepieces associated with the early era of human spaceflight. His commander, Pavel Belyayev, belonged to the same pioneering generation of Soviet cosmonauts whose missions helped shape the history of space exploration.

The original Strela chronographs were much more than ordinary wristwatches. Their mechanical stopwatch function made it possible to measure elapsed time, while their clearly arranged dials and distinctive additional scales were designed for practical technical applications.

Today's Strela Cosmos CO40CYB revives this fascinating heritage. It is a modern tribute to the historic chronographs of Soviet space exploration, preserving their unmistakable character and mechanical appeal.

The Heart of the Watch: The Seagull ST19 Mechanical Column-Wheel Movement

For enthusiasts of traditional watchmaking, the movement inside this Strela is particularly fascinating. At its heart beats the Seagull ST19, a mechanical hand-wound chronograph featuring a traditional column-wheel mechanism.

Its technical heritage can be traced back to the famous Swiss Venus calibre 175. In the early 1960s, the production equipment and technical documentation for this chronograph movement were transferred to China. Based on this Swiss design, the Tianjin Watch Factory developed its own chronograph production, eventually leading to today's ST19 movement family.

There is a particularly interesting historical connection: The original Strela chronographs were also powered by a column-wheel movement, the Poljot calibre 3017, which was based on the Swiss Venus 150 design. Although the modern ST19 is not an identical reproduction of the original 3017, it preserves the traditional mechanical chronograph philosophy of that era.

In a column-wheel chronograph, a finely toothed control wheel coordinates the various chronograph functions. When the pushers are operated, starting, stopping and resetting the stopwatch are controlled through an intricate interaction of mechanical levers, wheels and springs. This traditional construction is particularly appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts of fine mechanical chronographs.

The ST19 features 21 jewels and operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, corresponding to a frequency of 3 Hz. Its power reserve is approximately 40 hours. The movement is wound manually using the crown, a small daily ritual that adds to the charm of owning a traditional mechanical watch.

With the included exhibition case back, you can admire the movement and its numerous mechanical components in action. The additional engraved solid stainless steel case back features the inscription "3017 → ST19", paying tribute to the technical heritage of the historic Strela chronographs.

Historic Design and High-Quality Features

The black dial with Cyrillic inscriptions is inspired by the design of the classic Strela chronographs. Its two vertically arranged subdials give the watch its distinctive appearance. A tachymeter scale allows speed calculations, while a telemeter scale can be used to estimate distances by measuring the time between a visible event and its accompanying sound.

The characteristic elongated, baguette-shaped chronograph pushers recall the historic originals. The stainless steel case combines carefully brushed and polished surfaces, while the black PVD coating gives the CO40CYB an especially distinctive appearance.

Green Super-LumiNova luminous material on the hands and hour markers improves readability in low-light conditions. A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protects the dial. With a water resistance rating of 10 ATM, the Strela also offers practical durability for everyday wear.

Measuring 40 mm in diameter, 14 mm in thickness and 50 mm from lug to lug, the watch combines classic proportions with a confident presence on the wrist.

Technical Specifications – Strela Cosmos CO40CYB

Model: Strela Cosmos CO40CYB
Movement: Seagull ST19, mechanical hand-wound chronograph
Chronograph mechanism: Traditional column-wheel control
Jewels: 21
Frequency: 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: Approximately 40 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds and chronograph
Case: Stainless steel, brushed and polished, with black PVD coating
Diameter: 40 mm
Case thickness: 14 mm
Lug-to-lug length: 50 mm
Lug width: 20 mm
Dial: Black with Cyrillic inscriptions
Luminous material: Green Super-LumiNova on hands and hour markers
Crystal: Sapphire crystal
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Additional scales: Tachymeter and telemeter
Case backs: Engraved solid stainless steel case back and transparent exhibition case back, both included

Exclusive at Poljot24.de – Additional Accessories at No Extra Cost

At Poljot24.de, your Strela comes with an attractive selection of additional accessories. Along with the original Strela pass-through leather strap, we include either a high-quality RIOS1931 leather strap or a Molnija stainless steel Milanese mesh bracelet of your choice, completely free of charge.

You can also choose the appearance of your watch's case back. Would you prefer the classic engraved stainless steel back, or would you rather admire the mechanical column-wheel movement through the transparent exhibition back? Both case backs are included. When placing your order, you can specify which case back you would like us to install before shipping.

As specialists in mechanical watches since 1992, we at Poljot24.de place great importance on personal service, careful final inspection and reliable customer support from Munich, Germany.

The Strela Cosmos CO40CYB is a chronograph for people who appreciate not only the time displayed on their wrist, but also the history behind their watch. Traditional column-wheel mechanics, the distinctive design of early cosmonaut watches and the memory of one of the greatest milestones in space exploration make this a truly special timepiece.

Strela Cosmos CO40CYB – Watches With History.

In this short video, I compare the Strela chronographs in 38, 40 and 42 mm:
Strela Chronographs – Size Comparison on YouTube

Discover our complete selection of mechanical Strela chronographs:
Explore All Strela Watches at Poljot24.de