Beautiful soviet pocket watch Molnija Wolves from 1970s. Working
Very collectable and sexy.
Molnija
(Chelyabinsk Watch
Factory)
Brands:
- Molnija
- Ural
- Iskra
- Crystal
Watch and clockmaker based in Chelyabinsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast. Molnija (Молния) is the Russian word for lightning.
History
The
factory was established on November 17, 1941. The Molnija clock and
watch factory was opened on November 17, 1947. The company's main
customer was then the Soviet Union Department of Defense, providing them
with wrist watches, pocket watches and table clocks. Unique clocks were
also produced specifically for use in Soviet tanks, fighter aircraft,
submarines and, eventually, spacecraft.
Today
Molnija's main
product is mechanical pocket watches with military, religious and
historical motifs. About 80% of the work on most of the watches is done
by hand. Some Molnija movements are used in oversized men's
wristwatches.
The company ceased production in October 2007.
However, new Molnija pocket watches are still available on the market
(presumably old stock) The future of “Molniya” is a big question, but
no one in Russia produces the same mechanical pocket watches any more.