This is a museum standard original Soviet model Glashutte Urofa caliber 59. This watch is extremely rare and one of only around 5,000 or less produced in Moscow’s First Watch factory. It is even more rare to have the original factory box present. Diameter of watch is 39mm.
In 1941, Glashütte-based Tutima began producing a beautiful high-precision fly-back chronograph for the German air force. The Soviet military took note of this watch -- as did countless Soviet soldiers who clamored to steal them from any German pilots unfortunate enough to get shot down behind Soviet lines.
At the end of the war, the factory ended up in the Soviet zone – AKA East Germany. Within days of the occupation, all still-existing stocks of timepieces at Glashuette, together with the production lines, inventoried parts and testing equipment, were seized as war reparations and shipped to Moscow.
Starting in 1947 the First Moscow Watch Factory produced Tutima-Urofa chronographs using original parts taken from Glashutte, but with a FMWF-signed dial and a Russian made case. The caliber designation was Type-59.
The rarity is that the watch is from the Soviet Cold War period of around the late 1940s post WW2. The condition is remarkable with some identifiable wear but limited with enough wear to show its originality. The movement is in fine serviced condition with little wear signs. These watches that have been stored and out of use for decades are extremely hard to find. This is not a reproduction model and it is original, with radium numbers and hands giving very low level luminous in darkness. A good investment, these Soviet watches are extremely scarce. Shipping is £8 UK special delivery and £15 all other destinations. I have a very high success rate of safe shipping to other countries by International Sign-and Track. Strong impact proof packaging is used.