[51m0nn]

Hi everyone!

I am new to this forum and new to watches in general. My name is Simon and I am from South Africa. I am turning 18 in 2 weeks and I have had an interest in mechanical watches (Specifically pocket watches) for a couple of years now, but I have not had the money to purchase my own (At least not a decent one, I purchased a cheap Chinese mechanical that broke after a month). Now for my birthday my parents have ordered for me this absolutely gorgeous Molnija Pocket watch off ebay (it has yet to arrive) and I want to find out everything I can about keeping, operating it and maintaining it well.

I am particularly interested in finding out the history of this particular design. I did some research on Molnija but I could not find much information (only general information about the company itself, and some basic information on finding out the movement type and age of the watch). All I know is that most of the designs Molnija put on their watches have some sort of historical or religious value.

My pocket watch was made around the 1970's which I believe you can tell by the red CCCP logo with the k on it because that was the logo Molnija used during that time. It has a 3602 movement which is a standard movement with no shock protection. According to the seller all the parts are still original. I read that the watches with the red winged wheel as opposed to the CCCP logo are slightly older than the one I have and that they were used on the rail roads, and all of those had a train design on the back. What I am wondering is if there is any significance of the Ship that is on the back of mine, or is it is just a design that was put on the watch to decorate it?

I would really appreciate any information you can give me in this regard, I am hoping to build up a collection of several pocket watches in the future and I am hoping to learn how to service them and repair them myself one day, at the moment I am relying on youtube videos but I figured seeing as there are probably lots of experts and people with lots of experience on this site it would be great to hear some advice directly. Any information anyone could offer on how to keep my watch in good condition would be greatly appreciated as well! Thank you for your time everyone.

 

[DolleDolf]

i like it. I have a molniya wrist watch with a 3603 movement runs great, very loud ticker! Congrats.

 

[joeuk]

Hi and welcome cant tell you anything about this piece but I could of told you to stay away from those cheap Chinese pocket watches. If you want another really good pocket watch I would personally go with a Waltham these were one of the greats in pocket watches esp the Railroad grades. Pocket watches are the perfect watch to start servicing due to size, just keep away from those pin pallet movements I have one (Ingersoll) but I am lucky its running great but I don't really use it just sat on a shelf looking pretty lol. I also own another Pocket watch which is a Thomas Russell I like the movement on this. Found this maybe useful for you https://www.watchuseek.com/f10/different-variants-molnija-3602-movement-390461.html.

 

[51m0nn]

Hi and welcome cant tell you anything about this piece but I could of told you to stay away from those cheap Chinese pocket watches. If you want another really good pocket watch I would personally go with a Waltham these were one of the greats in pocket watches esp the Railroad grades. Pocket watches are the perfect watch to start servicing due to size, just keep away from those pin pallet movements I have one (Ingersoll) but I am lucky its running great but I don't really use it just sat on a shelf looking pretty lol. I also own another Pocket watch which is a Thomas Russell I like the movement on this. Found this maybe useful for you https://www.watchuseek.com/f10/different-variants-molnija-3602-movement-390461.html.

Thanks for the advice! I definitely agree with you on the Waltham. I saw many exquisite Walthams in excellent condition and some were over 100 years old! That will definitely be my next purchase. I plan to buy an old watch that needs servicing to practice assembling and disassembling the movement. Then when I have enough practice I will buy an antique that needs help and give it a crack and see if I can fix it!

 

[WelshWatchNut]

Nice half hunter Molnija with Soviet quality mark and a great piece to start your collection off with and get yourself a decent chain to complement it with :-! Its also very welcoming that someone of your age has an interest in mechanical watches rather than glancing at a mobile phone to read the time!

 

[Seele]

WelshWatchNut,

Actually it is not a half-hunter; I do not think Molnija ever made one. A hunter case (common in later Molnijas) has a hinged cover over the crystal that encloses it completely. A half hunter is similar but with a hole in the middle of the cover that still allows the time to be read.

 

[WelshWatchNut]

Oh yeah, my bad. Fail lol

 

[51m0nn]

Yeah WelshWatchNut, I'm kinda in a different basket to everyone else my age. I have a huge love for old antique and vintage watches and clocks because of the historical and sentimental value they hold to me. There is something magical about the ticking of a good old mechanical watch and clock that nothing else can compare to. I find it rather relaxing.
Mechanical watches/clocks are individual works of art in my opinion simply because of their complexity and elegance.