WATCH Russia
Founder: MEDIACRAT Publishing House
Services: Creative and commercial project management
Launch: March 2006
Frequency: Bi-monthly (6 issues per year)
Circulation: 10,000 copies
Website: watchrussia.com
Relaunched in 2025 with a renewed editorial concept, Watch Russia is a cultural and business-focused publication dedicated to showcasing the diversity, spirit, land, and both tangible and intangible wealth of Russia.
The magazine takes an inclusive view of value creation, recognizing no hierarchy between the spiritual and the material. It places equal importance on the contributions of artists and farmers alike—both seen as vital creators who enrich the country’s identity and legacy.
Published in both Russian and English, Watch Russia offers insightful, up-to-date coverage of positive developments across a wide range of sectors, including culture, gastronomy, entrepreneurship, and regional growth. It speaks to a domestic audience interested in Russia’s progress, while also engaging international readers—such as investors, business partners, and travelers—seeking a deeper understanding of the country.
With strategic distribution through five-star hotels and premium venues, Watch Russia serves as an effective platform for dialogue between Russian and global audiences, promoting connection, collaboration, and a more nuanced view of contemporary Russia.
Watch Russia – A New Perspective on the Country
June ′2025MEDIACRAT Publishing House has relaunched its magazine Watch Russia with a renewed concept and editorial direction, placing “Russia” at the core of its identity. Originally introduced nearly two decades ago as a publication focused on culture, lifestyle, and the luxury industry, Watch Russia has been reimagined in 2025 to explore the richness and essence of the country in a broader and deeper context.
The publication is dedicated to creative endeavors across a wide spectrum of fields—from art and design to hospitality and agriculture. What sets Watch Russia apart is its inclusive philosophy: it does not draw lines between high culture and material production. Artists and farmers are seen as equally vital contributors to Russia’s cultural and economic identity. As Editor-in-Chief Natalia Shastik puts it:
“We believe that a farmer working the land deserves the same respect as an artist on stage.”
Published bilingually in Russian and English and distributed through five-star hotels, Watch Russia is designed to reach both domestic readers and international audiences—including business partners, investors, and travelers. Its unique format and strategic distribution make it an effective platform for fostering dialogue and building connections between Russia and the world.
Commenting on the relaunch, Publisher Alisa Gevorkian notes:
“We are confident that Watch Russia will become a valuable guide for our international readers, offering insight into a welcoming and cooperative Russia.”
WATCH Russia Distribution in Theatres
December ′2014
WATCH Russia which is dedicated to haute horlogerie is now distributed in the leading theaters of Moscow. That is primarily due to the increasingly important role that theaters play in today’s socio-cultural life.
“Theaters per se are the new media capable of bringing a certain set of ideas to the audience by influencing all their sense organs causing a powerful emotional response,” says Natalia Shastik, Editorial Director at MEDIACRAT. “WATCH Russia was one of the first publications in Russia to start employing theaters as communication channels and cater to the unique audience of theater aficionados.”
As of December 2014, the average monthly audience of partnering theaters was 93,000 people.
WATCH Russia is writing about the high art of watch and jewelry making, as well as about such ‘signs of the times’ as cinema and theater, architecture and design, presenting a sort of cross-section of the most critical events and names in the world of culture over the preceding month. The project is headed by Alexander Gafin.
Creative and commercial management of the project is provided by MEDIACRAT.
Alexander Gafin to Head WATCH Russia
September ′2013
Alexander Gafin, one of the most prominent and recognized personalities of the marketing and PR industry in Russia, has taken over the WATCH Russia project. Prior to that, he headed SPEAR'S Russia as Editor-in-Chief for five years.
Commenting on his move, Gafin said that at a certain stage in life even the owners of large fortunes cease to value the money in and of itself, but see it as primarily a means to an end – a ticket to an ideal world. "A world where you have enough free time to attend every major theater premiere of the season, to go to the ends of the earth just for a beautiful sunset, and a favorite dessert that can only be prepared by one chef in the world," says Gafin. "And in such a perfect world, you begin to value time not because it is money, as Benjamin Franklin once famously declared, but because it's a moment of life, which contains the full complexity of existence. This is the world of aesthetes and hedonists, collectors and travelers, artists and poets. This is the world that WATCH features, and I am extremely pleased to be heading this particular project."
WATCH Russia is dedicated to the high art of watch and jewellery making, as well as to "the signs of the times" – cinema and theater, architecture and design – presenting a medley of the most important events and names in the world of culture over the previous month.
Creative and commercial management of the project is provided by MEDIACRAT.
MEDIACRAT to Turn 8
September ′2012This September MEDIACRAT is turning 8. “Birthday is a thanksgiving celebration of sorts. It is yet another occasion for us to thank everyone who was with us all these bright and exciting 8 years, as well as those who we are to march on together with till we turn 10, till we turn 30…” says MEDIACRAT Managing Partner and Business Development Director Alexey Medvedev.
MEDIACRAT is planning to thank its employees and clients – partners in business and publishing (BOLSHOI Sport, WATCH Russia and SPEAR’S Russia magazines), as well as its partners in brand development, custom publishing and event management. The activities celebrating the 8th birthday of the company are held under the slogan “MEDIACRAT. 8 Years of Partnership”.
BOLSHOI Sport, SPEAR'S Russia and WATCH Russia Distribution Expanded
May ′2012MEDIACRAT has expanded the distribution of its key publications: BOLSHOI Sport, SPEAR'S Russia and WATCH Russia magazines.
According to MEDIACRAT distribution team, starting from the May issue BOLSHOI Sport will be available in Adidas and Forward outlets, World Class fitness centers, as well as in VIP lounges of Pulkovo-1 and Pulkovo-2 airports in St. Petersburg. SPEAR'S Russia will be offered free of charge in VIP lounges of all airports in Moscow and St. Petersburg: Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Pulkovo-1 and Pulkovo-2.
As for WATCH Russia, its issues will become available in VIP lounges of Moscow's airports, as well as on selected flights. The magazine will be offered to the passengers of British Airways (London–Moscow–London, first class), Qatar Airways (London–Moscow, first class), Aeroflot (London–Moscow, business class), Air Astana (London–Alma-Ata, business class). WATCH Russia will also be offered to the guests of BMI business lounge in London, as well as on BMI flights from London to Moscow, Kiev and Yerevan (business class).
Creative and commercial management of BOLSHOI Sport, SPEAR'S Russia and WATCH Russia is provided by MEDIACRAT.
Free Access to WATCH Russia and BOLSHOI Sport
April ′2012MEDIACRAT offers a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the content of WATCH Russia and BOLSHOI Sport free of charge. Access to these publications is offered through ZINIO web and mobile reading application.
"We keep on popularizing our publications. As a part of our promotion program, the e-versions of the magazines are freely downloadable at ru.zinio.com, including special editions for Android and Apple platforms," says Alexei Medvedev, business development director at MEDIACRAT.
ZINIO is the world's largest newsstand and bookstore with thousands of media titles offered in digital versions in 25 different languages.
Creative and commercial management of BOLSHOI Sport and WATCH Russia is provided by MEDIACRAT.
WATCH Russia, SPEAR’S Russia Frequency Increased
November ′2011Starting January 1, 2012, the publication frequency of WATCH Russia and SPEAR’S Russia magazines will be increased to 10 and 8 issues per year correspondingly. The frequency boost will be followed by the distribution system expansion. At the same time the expansion program will be implemented to further increase the audiences of the BolshoiSport (www.bolshoisport.ru), WatchRussia (www.watchrussia.com) and PBWM (www.pbwm.ru).
The official 2012 publication schedule of MEDIACRAT magazines is available upon request and can be provided by MEDIACRAT relationship managers.
WATCH Russia is the Russian version of one of the most renowned European (Amsterdam, NL) haut horlogerie magazines recognized as the most intelligent and stylish watch publication in Europe.
SPEAR’S Russia is the Russian version of the most trustworthy and influential European (London, UK) magazine for the world’s richest audience. Founder – PBWM Media, Editor-in-Chief – Alexander Gafin, General Manager – Dmitry Gafin.
Chivas Regal is the Title Partner of the Awards. Official Partner – Land Rover, Independent Consultant – PricewaterhouseCoopers, Official TV Channel – TV Rain, General Radio Partner – Business FM, General Media Partner – BFM.ru.
Creative and commercial management of WATCH Russia and SPEAR’S Russia magazines is provided by MEDIACRAT.
