1950/60’s USSR SOVIET ERA `ROLEX` SERKISOF RAILROAD WATCH
In 1947 the Russian Government opened the Molnija (Lightning) watch factory in Chelyabinsk after approaching the then major Swiss watch and movement maker Cortebert seeking assistance in developing watch manufacturing in Russia. Cortebert supplied tooling and machinery for their 15 jewel cal.616 pocket watch movement which they also supplied to Rolex (cal.3646) who, in turn supplied Panerai for the Italian Navy dive watches and Italian railroad watches. *The fourth picture is the Rolex movement in a Panerai dive watch.*
In Russia it was branded as the Molnija cal.3602. Now out of production, this watch has the 18 jewel version of that movement.
RESTORED, SERVICED AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WITH
A NEW BROWN LEATHER `CROCODILE` STRAP.
RARE `SERKISOF`SOVIET RAILROAD WRIST WATCH WITH AN IMAGE OF `THE GENERAL` P36 STEAM ENGINE ON THE DIAL AND BACK COVER. IN SERVICE FROM 1952 TO 1974.
Serkisof Demoryolu was a Turkish-Armenian jeweller who founded his company in Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1882. He and his family mysteriously disappeared in the 1920’s,
thought to be victims of the Armenian genocide. Given to a Turkish jeweller the company capitalised on manufacturing and trading links with the Soviet Union.
(72/W4125) IMPORTED FROM KIEV, UKRAINE £185
