The Molnija watch story started on November 17, 1947 when the factory was first established. The Molnija Watch & Clock Factory, as it's known, is located in Chelyabinsk, Russia. It is one of the biggest regions in mid-Russia and is known for its talented craftsmen and it is also the industrial centre of the South Urals Mountain ridge. Throughout the history of Russia this region has been synonymous with high quality goods made from generations of craftsmen who, in past time supplied hand crafted goods to the Russian Aristocracy.
The first products that Molnija created were instruments, mainly clocks, for military vehicles and equipment such as tanks, submarines and aircraft. The company obviously had a very close relationship with the Soviet Union Department of Defence at that time. Although Molnija Watch and Clock Factory still produces some military clocks, mainly for aircraft, they began to concentrate on producing wristwatches, pocket watches and table clocks from the end of the 1950's. Now the main product of the factory is mechanical 15 -18 jewel pocket watches, with highly decorative themes. However, many of their current models are still used by the Russian Military and Police as awards for long service and good deeds.
Molnija watches as truly unique items with eighty percent of the watch production being done by hand and all parts for pocket watches, except the bearing jewels and accessories (chains and packaging) being produced by the factory itself. Molnija Pocket Watches as now renowned throughout the world as highly collectable time pieces with a unique Russian character and charm. They make wonderful gifts and are a great collectable mechanical watch.