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.