This Full Hunter cased pocket watch by Molnija (Russian for Lightning) is quite an interesting Soviet watch.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
There are no serial numbers on this watch, which tell us some of the story. This movement was in production between at least 1952 and 2008, but earlier watches had serial numbers, as did they in 1984/5 before they stopped again. Looking at the setting lever screw, lighter balance and unsigned bridges that narrows it down to 1975-1984, and we have simply picked a mid point year.
CONDITION
The case is embossed with an Art Nouveau style pattern, no doubt stamped and not chased by hand as the Soviets were all about making watches for the people, not the elite. It is not marked as such but is likely to be chrome plated, and is in good condition – the only signs of wear to the plating is on the back of the bow mount and the bottom hinge. The dial is a nice silver with blue hands, and that is a welcome change from the standard white dials found on most pocket watches. Of course the dial is only visible when you press the crown in and the hunter case opens, and the case opens and closes positively. The hand winding calibre 3602 was made in the Chelyabinsk Watch Factory which you can read about here on the Molnija website. It is all running and setting well.
This watch will be supplied with a simple presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 61.1 mm (excluding bow)
Width without crown 49.8 mm
Case Thickness 12.7 mm
All sizes are approximate.
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