The chrome-plated stainless-steel case measures approx. 50 mm in diameter. The dial features Roman numerals and small seconds, the signature is in Russian, indicating designation for the internal markets. The crystal is glass. Instead of the brand name Molnija, the dial features the emblem and name of the 2nd All-Union Congress of Pulmonologists which took place in Chelyabinsk in 1991. The movement is 3602. The chrome-plated steel caseback features a finely detailed relief of a hunting scene with a dog and a deer, rather scarce on Molnija watches.

In very good condit

The chrome-plated stainless-steel case measures approx. 50 mm in diameter. The dial features Roman numerals and small seconds, the signature is in Russian, indicating designation for the internal markets. The crystal is glass. Instead of the brand name Molnija, the dial features the emblem and name of the 2nd All-Union Congress of Pulmonologists which took place in Chelyabinsk in 1991. The movement is 3602. The chrome-plated steel caseback features a finely detailed relief of a hunting scene with a dog and a deer, rather scarce on Molnija watches.

In very good condition in terms of appearance, showing just a small crack to the glass crystal between numerals VIII and IX, not too obvious. The inside of the caseback shows areas of rust, easily removable with a rust-remover, if desired. The watch is in working condition mechanically. Our 24-test put the movement about 3.5 hours behind. Hopefully, service and movement adjustment by a professional watch repairman can fix this deviation.

The city of Chelyabinsk was a well-chosen venue for a congress of pulmonologists: due to the high concentration of heavy metallurgy and machine-building plants in and around it, air quality in Chelyabinsk was proverbially horrible.

The history of the Molnija ("Lightning") Chelyabinsk Watch Factory goes back to Decree #8151s of the State Committee of Defense of the USSR "About increasing production and improving quality of pocket and wrist watches". Among other things, this decree ordered building factory #834 in Chelyabinsk, near the southern end of the Ural Mountains. Much of Soviet heavy industry had been evacuated and built there from the ground up during WW2. The need for quality timepieces was extremely high.

On 17 November 1947 the first production line of the factory began its work using the first version of the 3600 caliber. This date is considered the birthday of the Molnija Chelyabinsk Watch Factory.
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