Please let me introduce myself

[Rowley]

Hello. My name is Billy Rowley and I live in Huddersfield - a town in West Yorkshire.

The town had a significant textile industry and engineering works but both have been in decline for quite a long time. Huddersfield University is very important in the financial life of the town with many of the students from abroad.

I have had a number of jobs in my working life - the most significant were as a teacher (21 years) and with West Yorkshire Police (14 years). I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2009 and medically retired in 2010. I had intended to tinker with watches as a retirement hobby but PD put paid to that plan.

I have been interested in Molnija pocket watches for several years and have built up a collection of the 50mm open face models. I have over 40 3602/3 made by Molnija but branded with the name of other watch companies/organisations (Sekonda, Marathon, Services, Serkisof etc, etc) and a dozen others with different case back designs (Locomotive, Spirit of the Urals, sailing,ship, motor cycle, bears, wolves etc. etc) I have a smaller collection of the Hunter cased model.

I will try to add photographs in the near future.

The principal reason for joining your forum is to try to get some accurate information on the development of the 3602 model from its introduction in 1947 as a 15 jewel movement until production ceased in 2007.

WHAT I THINK I KNOW. The early 43mm slim case design seems to have been made at the same time by Moscow Watch Factory Number 2 and a new factory in Chelyabinsk (1947). Eventually the 3602 movement was uprated to 17/18 jewel and the case to a larger 50mm open face case with interesting case back designs. All production appears to have been moved to the Chelyabinsk factory at some point (1960's ? ).

Dating is difficult - only the early 15 jewel model having date and factory marks. The latest date/factory I have found for the 43mm slim case is first quarter 1965 (1-65) by Chelyabinsk.

Any correct information members can provide is most welcome.

Billy

[Rowley]

Part of my 50mm open face collection ....



.... embossed case backs. The Olympic bear, hunting dog & tracked tractor designs are (probably) the least common.

Billy

[Dtorubar]

Nice collection

[sorcer]

Very nice collection indeed.

[SilkySmooth]

Welcome to the forum
You got a really nice collection, beautiful pieces. Your knowledge of the matter is pretty impressive too.
I'm not really into this kind of watches so Im not your help here. But it's nice to know there are people with deep interest and knowledge on our watch history.

Hope you feel better soon too.

Cheers.

[Rowley]

I am still actively seeking information on the Molnija 3602 in the 50mm case. For the past week I have been chasing up details on the tracked tractor - which I had assumed was strictly an agricultural vehicle.

The repousse case back is of a ChTZ S-65, manufactured at the tractor factory in Chelyabinsk . Some 10,000 served on both sides in the Great Patriotic War as tractors for heavy artillery and recovery vehicles to release other vehicles stuck in mud.

With a top speed of less than 12 Kph many came under German control during their Blitzkreig in 1941.

This is a link to a very informative site http://www.tankograd.com/html/img/pool/MO-Stalinetz.pdf

Billy

[spiders3]

cool! i like it

[Butcefal 909]

Сообщение от Rowley

Part of my 50mm open face collection ....



.... embossed case backs. The Olympic bear, hunting dog & tracked tractor designs are (probably) the least common.

Billy

Hello dear Bill!
I am very surprised and shocked not only your collection but also knowledge of the history of these legendary Russian production hours Molnija !
Interestingly I had to learn - and not whether you want to sell your collection?

With kind regards and best wishes Butsefals909

[jonh112]

hi, my name is jonh. newbie's here.

[jonh112]

hey, guys, the english board is quiet isolation. but I don't know the Russian.