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It would be great find for any collector
Up for sale is a genuinely rare and highly collectible piece of Soviet horological history - an authentic Molnija mechanical pocket watch featuring the famous "Wolves in the Forest" high-relief hunting scene on the back cover. The heavy case is crafted from premium Melchior (German silver/cupronickel), known for its exceptional durability and unique vintage luster.
As shown the watch features a beautiful dial with bold black numerals, a red Soviet Quality Mark (Знак Качества СССР), and an inner red 24-hour military track. The elegant blued steel hands and a dedicated sub-seconds register at 6 o'clock complete its iconic look. The back cover realistically depicts a striking scene of wolves roaming through a dense pine forest. Inside, it runs on the legendary, bulletproof Molnija 3602 manual-wind caliber with 18 jewels. The watch is in fantastic fully original condition, ticks strongly, and keeps great time. A magnificent addition to any serious watch collection!
DEFECTS: Minor, honest signs of gentle use. No major flaws
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USSR (СССР)
MANUFACTURER: Chelyabinsk Watch Factory (Molnija, ChChZ)
OVERALL CONDITION (10-point scale): 8
CASE
Heavy, heavy-duty Melchior (cupronickel / German silver) open-face case. The back cover displays an incredibly detailed, crisp high-relief art engraving of wolves in a wild forest environment
Condition (10-point scale): 8
GLASS
Material: acrylic glass
Condition (10-point scale): 8-9
DIAL
100% original factory dial. White dial with bold black Arabic hour markers, red 13-24 hour military scale, sub-seconds register, and the prestigious red Soviet Quality Mark.
Condition (10-point scale): 8
Inscriptions on the dial: Molnija, Сделано в СССР (Made in USSR)
Hands: Original vintage blued steel hands.
CHAIN
Without chain
MOVEMENT
Mechanical: hand-winding
Caliber: Legendary Molnija 3602 (18 Jewels)
Features
stem wind and manual set
subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock
robust historic design based on classical Cortebert engineering
Data
16''', Dm = 36.0mm, Do = 36.6mm
H = 4.65mm
18 jewels
f = 18000 A/h
power-reserve: ~41 hours
Inscriptions on movement: Soviet Union (SU), serial number, and 3602 caliber mark
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, FUNCTIONS
Width (Diameter) |
1.97 inch (50.0 mm) |
Width with crown |
2.36 inch (60.0 mm) |
Depth (Thickness) |
0.67 inch (17.0 mm) |
Total Weight |
3.25 oz (92.0 g) |
Function |
Hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds |
Country made |
USSR (СССР) |
Dimensions of watches
HISTORY & LORE
The Chelyabinsk Watch Factory "Molnija" was established in 1947, drawing upon the robust industrial horological machinery and design standards of the era. The brand quickly earned a stellar reputation for producing high-precision, military-grade pocket watches, aircraft cockpit clocks, and specialized timers. The main driving force behind Molnija's success was the caliber 3602, a heavy-duty movement design inspired by classic Swiss horology.
In the late Soviet period, Molnija gained immense popularity worldwide by releasing artistic themed pocket watches featuring high-relief cast lids and case backs. These watches celebrated traditional hunting themes, folklore, and wildlife. The "Wolves in the Forest" series stands out as an exceptionally popular and sought-after variant due to its deeply detailed wilderness scene. Housed in a gorgeous, heavy Melchior body, this watch perfectly combines rough Soviet utility with fine European collectible art.
RECOMMENDATIONS
All Antique and vintage watches are mechanical. Repairs require precision, so please handle this historical artifact with care.
- Vintage mechanical watches should not be beaten or dropped - shocks can damage the balance staff.
- Vintage pocket watches are generally NOT waterproof. Protect your timekeeper from direct contact with water, heavy rain, or high humidity.
- Winding any mechanical watch tight may break the mainspring. Stop winding as soon as you feel the natural resistance tightening up.
- When adjusting the hands of your watch, move them in a clockwise direction only to prevent stress on the gear train.
- Every 2-3 years it is recommended to service, clean, and oil vintage watches to keep them running accurately for decades to come.
- Keep your watch away from strong magnetic fields (large speakers, modern computers, magnets) since magnetic exposure can alter the balance spring performance.
- Vintage mechanical watches naturally experience a daily deviation error of up to a few minutes. An accuracy of +/- 3 to 5 minutes a day is considered excellent for a classic pocket timepiece.
PAYMENT
- Total amount due includes the final item price plus Shipping.
- Shipping charges are determined based upon the destination address. Please note that buyers are responsible for any applicable local customs procedures.
SHIPPING
We ship worldwide! This item will be securely packed and dispatched to you from Europe (Ukraine) via registered international airmail, complete with a tracking number and insurance coverage. Shipments are processed within 1-3 business days after payment clears.
Typical Delivery Timeframes:
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European Countries: approximately 7-10 days;
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USA, Canada, Japan & others: approximately 10-14 days.
NOTE: Actual delivery speeds depend heavily on your local customs handling and postal services. Rest assured, we pack all items with extreme care to guarantee they reach your doorstep in perfect condition!
RETURNS/REFUNDS
We accept returns in compliance with standard platform terms. Items must be returned in their original vintage condition as received. Return shipping costs are to be covered by the Buyer.
FEEDBACK
We strive for 100% customer satisfaction and look forward to earning your positive feedback! If you experience any issues or have any doubts upon receiving your parcel, please contact us immediately *before* leaving neutral or negative marks. We are always here to help resolve any issues amicably.
Thank you for your interest in our vintage treasures!
Please let us know if you have any questions. Good luck!
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