Real History
Alternative History
Salut (Салют, Russian for (military) Salute) pocket watches were produced in the 1940-50s at the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory on the basis of the K-36 caliber. Later it evolved into the legendary Molnija 3603 movement, which is still being produced in Chelyabinsk. The creation of the Salut brand is closely related to the figure of Lavrentiy Beria
The Emergence of the Brand
The production of watches under the Salut brand began at the 2nd State Watch Factory (later — the Slava Factory) on the personal order of Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria (at that time the Deputy Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, that is, an analogue of the Deputy Prime Minister). According to the legend, the watch was based on the model of the Swiss company Cortébert, which happened to be in the possession of Beria and he really liked it. In the book of the employee of the 2nd watch factory Vladimir Bogdanov, dedicated to the history of the factory, the history of the K-36 caliber movement and the Salut watch based on it is briefly described:
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At the end of 1945, together with the newly formed Research Institute of the Watch Industry, the 2nd Watch Factory began to develop pocket watches "Salut" with the 36 mm caliber and the 3.5 mm movement. The prototype of this watch was a casual Swiss watch from the "Kartebor" company, liked by L.P. Beria. However, this watch was not very suitable for mass production due to the rigid height dimensions of the movement. Mastering the watch was painfully difficult and continued almost until 1949.
In fact, the Swiss firm, of course, is Cortébert. And "rigid height dimensions of the movement" means too compact for the factory's technical and personnel capabilities at that time.
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It is interesting that L.P. Beria, the father of atomic and space projects, was also involved in the watch industry personally... It is also interesting that in general they decided to master another pocket watch movement. After all, firstly, the American Dueber-Hampden movement of 43 mm caliber and the French LIP 43 were mastered, and the LIP 36, a dimensional analogue of the K-36, could be available, if desired, within the framework of cooperation with LIP, and secondly, in the mid-1940s, wristwatches pushed pocket watches very strongly. But in the situation of the post-war shortage of resources, they decided to occupy one of the best watch factories with the development of another large-caliber movement, and even with "rigid height dimensions".
So, the Salut watch model was born in the USSR as a replica of Cortébert watches created from scratch. There was no official purchase of parts, licensing of technology, or any other collaboration with Cortébert. Initially, it was planned to produce watches of the Salut brand at the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory, and watches of the Molnija brand at the Chelyabinsk Watch Factory, which was then being built. About this, back in April 1945, the corresponding decision of the State Defense Committee was made:
The release of pocket watches by the decision of the State Defense Committee on April 19, 1945 was assigned at the Chelyabinsk Factory No. 834 [future Molnija] in the 2nd quarter of 1946 /"Molnija" brand/ and at the Moscow Factory No. 853 [2nd Watch Factory] — in the 3rd quarter of 1946 /"Salut" brand/.
The name Salut is associated with the tradition of military salutes in honor of victories revived during the Great Patriotic War (you can read more about the fireworks of the Great Patriotic War here — Russian language, but you can use Google translate). Almost all salutes were fired in Moscow, with one exception: the 1st degree salute on January 27, 1944 in honor of the lifting of the blockade was made in Leningrad. In 1943-45 salutes were fired quite often — a total of 26 1st degree salutes, 206 second and 122 third degree were given. Especially often (for obvious reasons) salutes thundered over Moscow in the spring of 1945. And it was in the spring of 1945 that the decision was made to produce new pocket watches at the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory. This, most likely, explains the choice of the name for the Moscow part of the K-36 project.
The first pieces of the movements were made at the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory already in November 1945. Archival documents give an idea of the problems that arose during the preparation of production due to the post-war shortage of resources. Here is an excerpt from the report of the People's Commissar of Mortar Armament (the production of watches then belonged to this commissariat) Pyotr Ivanovich Parshin to the deputy chairman of the Council of People's Commissars L.P. Beria from October 1945:
The first pieces of the movements were made at the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory already in November 1945. Archival documents give an idea of the problems that arose during the preparation of production due to the post-war shortage of resources. Here is an excerpt from the report of the People's Commissar of Mortar Armament (the production of watches then belonged to this commissariat) Pyotr Ivanovich Parshin to the deputy chairman of the Council of People's Commissars L.P. Beria from October 1945:
At present, preparations are underway for the production of these watches: design of the technological process and tooling and manufacture of tooling. On October 20, the design of the technological process is completed; tooling is 61% projected. 5 factories of the People's Commissariat of Mortar Armament were involved in the manufacture of tooling. All work on the preparation for the release of the K-36 watch is concentrated at the Moscow Watch Factory No. 853.
From the following report to Beria dated November 6, 1945:
Preparations for the production of these watches are underway. The movements of watches of the brands "Salut" and "Molnija" were manufactured, on the basis of which the adjustments of the drawings of the tooling are made. Tooling drawings are 74% complete. The 5 factories of the People's Commissariat of Mortar Armament involved in the manufacture of the tooling began to manufacture it.
The plans for 1946 were the production of pocket watches K-36 at factory No. 834 [Chelyabinsk Watch Factory] in the II quarter of 1946, 5 thousand pieces and at the factory No. 853 [2nd Moscow Watch Factory] in the third quarter of 1946 — 10 thousand pieces:
For the production of this watch caliber (K-36), 1298 tool names are required. Factory No. 853 is manufacturing 93 items of tools. The People's Commissar of Mortar Armament proposes to complete the manufacture of tooling by January 1, 1946.
But these plans were not destined to come true. The January 1946 report notes that the manufacture of tooling and tools has just begun:
"Salut" and "Molnija" pocket watches
Preparation of production for the release of these watches continues. The design of the K-36 watch tooling has been completed.
Factories Nos. 834, 853, 825 and others have started to manufacture tooling and tools for watches "Molnija" and "Salut".
Preparation of production for the release of these watches continues. The design of the K-36 watch tooling has been completed.
Factories Nos. 834, 853, 825 and others have started to manufacture tooling and tools for watches "Molnija" and "Salut".
The situation at the 2nd Watch Factory was developing better than in Chelyabinsk, where they were far behind the factory construction schedule.
Despite all the difficulties, the assembly of Salut pocket watches began at the 2nd Watch Factory in the 3rd quarter of 1946, as planned. But in Chelyabinsk plans were thwarted. Therefore, it was decided to release an experimental batch of Molnijas also in Moscow:
Despite all the difficulties, the assembly of Salut pocket watches began at the 2nd Watch Factory in the 3rd quarter of 1946, as planned. But in Chelyabinsk plans were thwarted. Therefore, it was decided to release an experimental batch of Molnijas also in Moscow:
2. In amendment of the Resolution of the State Defense Committee of April 19, 1945, to allow the Ministry of Mechanical Engineering and Instrumentation to temporarily organize at the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory, due to the delay in the completion of the construction of the Chelyabinsk Watch Factory, the production of pocket watches of the "Molnija" brand simultaneously with the production "Salut" brand watches.
The Movement
The prototype of the K-36 movement, which was installed in the Salut watches, was the Cortébert 620 movement. There is an opinion that it was the Cortébert 616, but the height of the K-36 corresponds exactly to the Cortébert 620, not the 616. From a comparison made by Sergey Ivanov in the aforementioned article, it can be seen that the design and geometry of the Cortébert 620 are fully retained in the 1947 K-36 movement.
Interesting fact: the Cortébert calibers 618, slightly differing from the 620 series in height and configuration, were originally supplied to Rolex, and through it as a contractor in 1930-1950 they were also supplied to the Italian Panerai (to fulfill orders of the Italian Navy).
From a constructive point of view, there were two modifications of the Salut watch movement. The first modification was produced from the 4th quarter of 1946 to the 1st quarter of 1947, the second modification — from the 2nd quarter of 1947 to 1954. The modifications differ in the design of the balance assembly and the type of the pendulum spring spiral: in the movements of the first modification there is the Breguet spiral, in the movements of the second modification there is the usual spiral.
BRIEF CHARACTERISTIC OF THE K-36 MOVEMENT:
MOVEMENT CODE: "К-36" (caliber 36, movement outer diameter = 36 mm)
MOVEMENT MARKING:
"ЧК-6" (ChK-6)
"15 камней" (15 jewels)
logo — "Ч2З" (Ch2Z = 2nd Watch Factory. There are watches without logo marking on the movement (3 and 4 quarters of 1946, 1 and 2 quarters of 1947)
"САЛЮТ" (SALUT)
date of manufacture of the movement (quarter and year, in the format "X-XX")
factory number.
Interesting fact: the Cortébert calibers 618, slightly differing from the 620 series in height and configuration, were originally supplied to Rolex, and through it as a contractor in 1930-1950 they were also supplied to the Italian Panerai (to fulfill orders of the Italian Navy).
From a constructive point of view, there were two modifications of the Salut watch movement. The first modification was produced from the 4th quarter of 1946 to the 1st quarter of 1947, the second modification — from the 2nd quarter of 1947 to 1954. The modifications differ in the design of the balance assembly and the type of the pendulum spring spiral: in the movements of the first modification there is the Breguet spiral, in the movements of the second modification there is the usual spiral.
BRIEF CHARACTERISTIC OF THE K-36 MOVEMENT:
- Caliber 36 mm, H = 3.5 mm
- Movement on 15 ruby jewels, brass anchor fork (1946-1948) and steel anchor fork (1949-1954)
- The number of adjusting screws on the balance wheel — 16 (since 1946), 10 (since 1948)
- The second hand is at the number "6".
- The accuracy of the daily rate, at a temperature of 18 - 22 degrees C within 1 minute (during the period of validity of GOST 918-41), +/- 30 sec. (during the period of validity of GOST 918-53 standard)
- The running time from one complete watch winding is not less than 30 hours (during the period of validity of GOST 918-41), not less than 32 hours (during the period of validity of GOST 918-53 standard).
MOVEMENT CODE: "К-36" (caliber 36, movement outer diameter = 36 mm)
MOVEMENT MARKING:
"ЧК-6" (ChK-6)
"15 камней" (15 jewels)
logo — "Ч2З" (Ch2Z = 2nd Watch Factory. There are watches without logo marking on the movement (3 and 4 quarters of 1946, 1 and 2 quarters of 1947)
"САЛЮТ" (SALUT)
date of manufacture of the movement (quarter and year, in the format "X-XX")
factory number.
Logo (trademark of the manufacturer) of the 2nd Watch Factory on the movement of the Salut watch
Salut and Molnija — older brother and younger sister
The Salut movements were identical to those produced (starting from the second quarter of 1947) for the Molnija brand, but the design of the case, crown, dial and hands was completely unique. The case, in particular, had a much finer chromium plating, and the blued steel petal hands are especially unique among Soviet pocket watches (not found anywhere else!).
BRIEF CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SALUT WATCH:
WATCH TYPE: ChK-6 (ЧК-6, for "pocket watch with a second hand at "6" hours", although there are other versions of the meaning of the number 6 in this cipher).
STATE STANDARDS and TECHNICAL CONDITIONS:
The article by engineer D. Katrenko from the April issue of the "Technics for Youth" magazine describes the advantages of future (at that time) new products in comparison with pre-war watches, as well as their differences from each other:
BRIEF CHARACTERISTIC OF THE SALUT WATCH:
- Ø 45 mm case, chromium-plated
- The dial is gray-beige, fully digitized 1-12, except for the number 6. Minute and second scales with sixty marks. Seconds scale with numerals: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. The scale marks at the numerals are thickened. Numerals, scales and inscriptions on the dial are black
- Hands are blue, hour and minute are leaf-shaped
- The caseback is smooth
- Silicate double-radius glass.
WATCH TYPE: ChK-6 (ЧК-6, for "pocket watch with a second hand at "6" hours", although there are other versions of the meaning of the number 6 in this cipher).
STATE STANDARDS and TECHNICAL CONDITIONS:
- GOST 918-41
- GOST 918-53
- TU 21-60-53
The article by engineer D. Katrenko from the April issue of the "Technics for Youth" magazine describes the advantages of future (at that time) new products in comparison with pre-war watches, as well as their differences from each other:
"Salut" and "Molnija" are men's round pocket watches. You take them in your hands and you are afraid that they will slip out like a piece of ice. They are very thin and light. The designers waged a merciless war with millimeters and grams. The attack went on the diameter, thickness, and weight of the watch parts. "Salut" is less than the pre-war watches by 4.14 millimeters, and "Molnija" — by 6.45 millimeters. The watches of the 1st and 2nd State Factories of the pre-war issue had a diameter of 49.65 millimeters, "Salut" has 45.5 millimeters, and "Molnija" has 43.2 millimeters.
Not less won in thickness. The thickness of the pre-war watch with glass was 13.5 millimeters. "Salut" and "Molnija" are 8.5 millimeters thick. They are 5 millimeters thinner, and how noticeable it is to the eyes!
Even greater successes have been achieved in the offensive against weight. The pre-war watches weighed 80 grams, the Salut and Molnija only weigh 50. Thus, the dimensions of the new watches are compressed and the weight is reduced.
To achieve this, the same 124 escapement parts were made smaller and squeezed into a smaller case. Has the quality of the watch been affected by this? On the contrary: "Salut" and "Molnija" tell time more accurately. At a constant temperature during the day, they go minute by minute. Temperature fluctuations during repeated transition from room to frost and vice versa affect the watch movement, but the accuracy error does not exceed only one minute per day. This increased precision, even in unfavorable conditions, is provided by a monometallic (brass) pendulum instead of a bimetallic one (brass and steel) and a hairspring made from the new Elinvar alloy. The movement became more precise also because the watch has 15 ruby jewels instead of agate ones. Ruby is harder than agate by almost 3 conventional units on the Mohs scale. The gold-plated wheels of the movement also increase the accuracy as they are not subject to oxidation. Watchmakers-mechanics Vasiliev V.V., Kulikov E.V. and Deikin A.A. have worked on the accuracy of watches.
The gold-tone dial and the "Molnija" hand are eye-catching. The "Salut" has a silver dial and blued hands. A part of "Molnija" watches will also be produced with the same dial and hands as those of "Salut". The cases of both watches are light, chromium-plated.
In form, they differ slightly from each other. There is a drawing on the caseback of the "Molnija" case; a light lacework plays on the movements.
Both watches have an "earring" of an unusual shape, with balls on the sides.
Not less won in thickness. The thickness of the pre-war watch with glass was 13.5 millimeters. "Salut" and "Molnija" are 8.5 millimeters thick. They are 5 millimeters thinner, and how noticeable it is to the eyes!
Even greater successes have been achieved in the offensive against weight. The pre-war watches weighed 80 grams, the Salut and Molnija only weigh 50. Thus, the dimensions of the new watches are compressed and the weight is reduced.
To achieve this, the same 124 escapement parts were made smaller and squeezed into a smaller case. Has the quality of the watch been affected by this? On the contrary: "Salut" and "Molnija" tell time more accurately. At a constant temperature during the day, they go minute by minute. Temperature fluctuations during repeated transition from room to frost and vice versa affect the watch movement, but the accuracy error does not exceed only one minute per day. This increased precision, even in unfavorable conditions, is provided by a monometallic (brass) pendulum instead of a bimetallic one (brass and steel) and a hairspring made from the new Elinvar alloy. The movement became more precise also because the watch has 15 ruby jewels instead of agate ones. Ruby is harder than agate by almost 3 conventional units on the Mohs scale. The gold-plated wheels of the movement also increase the accuracy as they are not subject to oxidation. Watchmakers-mechanics Vasiliev V.V., Kulikov E.V. and Deikin A.A. have worked on the accuracy of watches.
The gold-tone dial and the "Molnija" hand are eye-catching. The "Salut" has a silver dial and blued hands. A part of "Molnija" watches will also be produced with the same dial and hands as those of "Salut". The cases of both watches are light, chromium-plated.
In form, they differ slightly from each other. There is a drawing on the caseback of the "Molnija" case; a light lacework plays on the movements.
Both watches have an "earring" of an unusual shape, with balls on the sides.
Quality and technical challenges
Here is a letter from the same Pyotr Parshin already as the Minister of Mechanical Engineering and Instrumentation of the USSR from November 1948 (again addressed to Beria):
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The letter describes the responses of the Swiss watchmakers about the Salut movements, received during the visit to Switzerland of the Deputy Minister of Mechanical Engineering and Instrumentation Britsko. A quote:
The overall assessment of the watch "Molnija" /"Salut" movement/ was high.
Heads of firms Reсta /Mr. Vauché/ and Zenith /Mr. Pernod/ reacted with great distrust to the fact that such a watch could be made in the Soviet Union. At a meeting with the leaders of the entire Swiss industry /Watch Camber/ Dr. Hubert said that the parts of the "Salut" and "Molnija" watches are made in Germany, and in the Soviet Union they are only assembled. The owner of the jewels company Raymond, Mr. Raymond, and the head of the Movado company, said that if it is true that such watches are made in Soviet Russia, then it is safe to say that Russia has overtaken England in this matter.
At the firms Movado, International Watch Co. and Langendorf, when asked why they do not make such watches in large quantities, the answer was received that they consider the production of such watches difficult and labor intensive. The director of the International Watch Co. said that around 50,000 /out of 25 million/ such watches are made a year throughout Switzerland.
Heads of firms Reсta /Mr. Vauché/ and Zenith /Mr. Pernod/ reacted with great distrust to the fact that such a watch could be made in the Soviet Union. At a meeting with the leaders of the entire Swiss industry /Watch Camber/ Dr. Hubert said that the parts of the "Salut" and "Molnija" watches are made in Germany, and in the Soviet Union they are only assembled. The owner of the jewels company Raymond, Mr. Raymond, and the head of the Movado company, said that if it is true that such watches are made in Soviet Russia, then it is safe to say that Russia has overtaken England in this matter.
At the firms Movado, International Watch Co. and Langendorf, when asked why they do not make such watches in large quantities, the answer was received that they consider the production of such watches difficult and labor intensive. The director of the International Watch Co. said that around 50,000 /out of 25 million/ such watches are made a year throughout Switzerland.
The following describes recommendations the Swiss for improving the quality of Soviet pocket watches and their movements, as well as the measures taken for this:
1. There should be a steel escape wheel /we still have it from a special brass alloy/.
2. There must be a steel anchor fork /we also have it from a special brass alloy/.
The production of these parts from steel was delayed in our country due to the lack of special machines for these operations and lack of experience.
It was not possible to buy such machines in Switzerland, since they are strictly prohibited for export.
At the present time, unofficially, drawings of such machines have been purchased, according to which in the near future we will manufacture machines and organize the production of these parts /from the II quarter of 1949/.
3. The watch case must be made of a nickel alloy, and the watch caseback is made of stainless steel /we have special brass alloy plated with nickel and chromium/.
Currently, work is underway in this direction at watch factories to develop such cases. The production of such cases also requires special equipment and tools made of hard alloys.
4. Somewhat irregular geometric shape of the planes of the bridges of the movement and insufficiently good finishing.
In Switzerland, for these operations, Schaublin turret-planing machines are used, which are prohibited from export from Switzerland.
We are taking measures to manufacture such machines from available photographs and to obtain samples of machines from Switzerland through Czechoslovakia.
5. Finishing of parts of the watch movement and dial for this class of watches should be much better /gilding of wheels, polishing, lacework/.
These shortcomings are due to the non-delivery by the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of polished brass tape for wheels, fine-grained abrasives by the Ministry of Machine-Tool Building and high-quality chemicals by the Ministry of Chemical Industry, as well as insufficient qualifications of workers and engineers at watch factories.
Measures to improve the finish of watch parts are being taken and the finish is continually being improved.
6. Watch ruby jewels have a pale pink color, which reduces the decorative appearance of the watch movement.
The Ministry of Chemical Industry has not yet mastered the production of dark red rubies, and therefore the watch jewels factories of the Ministry of Mechanical Engineering and Instrumentation are unable to produce dark red jewels.
7. Our watch hairspring is made of Elinvar alloy. In Switzerland, for this class of watches, a hairspring is made of nivarox or isoval, which give a smaller error in the watch with temperature fluctuations.
Obtaining the best alloys for the manufacture of hairspring requires research and active participation in this matter by the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry.
There is agreement with the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry to carry out such work in 1949.
8. The balance of the watch is made of brass alloy.
The Swiss believe that it should be made either bimetallic or nickel alloy.
This issue is controversial and we are compiling comparative characteristics.
9. The Swiss believe that watches such as the Molnija brand... should have a rate from one winding 40-42 hours and be adjusted for accuracy... +30 sec. per day /we have ± 1 min per day/.
Achievement of such parameters depends to a large extent on the quality of the spring and the hairspring /increased mechanical properties/.
To improve the quality of the springs and hairspring, the Ministry of Mechanical Engineering and Instrumentation, together with the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, are carrying out the necessary work. However, all issues have not yet been resolved /in particular, the production of C shaped spring by the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry has not yet been mastered/.
...
11. Watch jewels are pressed into the movement without polished transition sleeves.
The Swiss believe that this reduces the decorative appearance of the movement. It is necessary to make either undercuts or transition sleeves. This shortcoming is controversial.
2. There must be a steel anchor fork /we also have it from a special brass alloy/.
The production of these parts from steel was delayed in our country due to the lack of special machines for these operations and lack of experience.
It was not possible to buy such machines in Switzerland, since they are strictly prohibited for export.
At the present time, unofficially, drawings of such machines have been purchased, according to which in the near future we will manufacture machines and organize the production of these parts /from the II quarter of 1949/.
3. The watch case must be made of a nickel alloy, and the watch caseback is made of stainless steel /we have special brass alloy plated with nickel and chromium/.
Currently, work is underway in this direction at watch factories to develop such cases. The production of such cases also requires special equipment and tools made of hard alloys.
4. Somewhat irregular geometric shape of the planes of the bridges of the movement and insufficiently good finishing.
In Switzerland, for these operations, Schaublin turret-planing machines are used, which are prohibited from export from Switzerland.
We are taking measures to manufacture such machines from available photographs and to obtain samples of machines from Switzerland through Czechoslovakia.
5. Finishing of parts of the watch movement and dial for this class of watches should be much better /gilding of wheels, polishing, lacework/.
These shortcomings are due to the non-delivery by the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of polished brass tape for wheels, fine-grained abrasives by the Ministry of Machine-Tool Building and high-quality chemicals by the Ministry of Chemical Industry, as well as insufficient qualifications of workers and engineers at watch factories.
Measures to improve the finish of watch parts are being taken and the finish is continually being improved.
6. Watch ruby jewels have a pale pink color, which reduces the decorative appearance of the watch movement.
The Ministry of Chemical Industry has not yet mastered the production of dark red rubies, and therefore the watch jewels factories of the Ministry of Mechanical Engineering and Instrumentation are unable to produce dark red jewels.
7. Our watch hairspring is made of Elinvar alloy. In Switzerland, for this class of watches, a hairspring is made of nivarox or isoval, which give a smaller error in the watch with temperature fluctuations.
Obtaining the best alloys for the manufacture of hairspring requires research and active participation in this matter by the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry.
There is agreement with the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry to carry out such work in 1949.
8. The balance of the watch is made of brass alloy.
The Swiss believe that it should be made either bimetallic or nickel alloy.
This issue is controversial and we are compiling comparative characteristics.
9. The Swiss believe that watches such as the Molnija brand... should have a rate from one winding 40-42 hours and be adjusted for accuracy... +30 sec. per day /we have ± 1 min per day/.
Achievement of such parameters depends to a large extent on the quality of the spring and the hairspring /increased mechanical properties/.
To improve the quality of the springs and hairspring, the Ministry of Mechanical Engineering and Instrumentation, together with the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, are carrying out the necessary work. However, all issues have not yet been resolved /in particular, the production of C shaped spring by the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry has not yet been mastered/.
...
11. Watch jewels are pressed into the movement without polished transition sleeves.
The Swiss believe that this reduces the decorative appearance of the movement. It is necessary to make either undercuts or transition sleeves. This shortcoming is controversial.
Now it becomes clear why, as mentioned above, Salut and Molnija were introduced at the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory for such a long time and with difficulties — mainly due to the lack of the necessary equipment and the inability to purchase it in Switzerland (there was a ban on export). The parts were produced on the equipment that was available, from the materials that were available. There was a severe shortage of qualified personnel — and where could it come from immediately after the devastating war? Quote from the same report letter:
The Ministry of Mechanical Engineering and Instrumentation believes that there are some shortcomings in the watches produced and they are explained by the still insufficient production and technical qualifications of watch factories.
Therefore, of course, there were complaints about the quality of the watches. In 1950, the factory even held a special conference dedicated to improving quality (watches produced after it are considered to be of higher quality):
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In May [1950] a conference was held at the factory, the main direction of which was to improve the quality of the "Molnija" and "Salut" watches. The best production workers and engineers of the factory are involved in the work. In addition to the general meeting, the work was carried out in sections: improving accuracy; increased reliability and durability; improving the quality of external design; improving the culture and organization of production.
Discontinuation of production, further development and modernity
In 1954 the production of Salut watches was discontinued. However, the K-36 caliber developed further. The fate of the sister brand Molnija, as you know, was much more successful. The production of these watches was finally transferred to the Chelyabinsk Watch Factory, which, as we saw from the above archival documents, was built for them. Subsequently, the Chelyabinsk factory even received the name Molnija, under which it is still known. By the way, the production of watches (now wristwatches) based on the in-house movements 3603 — descendants of the K-36 — has been resumed there.
The caliber of Salut watches was also developed at the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory: in 1950, together with the Research Institute of the Watch Industry, the development of a version of the K-36 movement of increased accuracy on 17 jewels was started. From 1955 to 1963 watches under the Iskra brand were equipped with this new version. On the basis of the K-36, the Captain's Chronograph 28ChK was also created in 1952, supplied to the USSR Navy.
The caliber of Salut watches was also developed at the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory: in 1950, together with the Research Institute of the Watch Industry, the development of a version of the K-36 movement of increased accuracy on 17 jewels was started. From 1955 to 1963 watches under the Iskra brand were equipped with this new version. On the basis of the K-36, the Captain's Chronograph 28ChK was also created in 1952, supplied to the USSR Navy.
Movements K-36 Salut, Iskra and 28ChK of the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory, 1947, 1955 and 1952
At present, the Salut brand is being revived within the framework of our project. The first watches (of course, wrist ones) will appear in 2021.
Also in Novosibirsk there is the Salute Watch Factory LLC, which produces wall clocks, alarm clocks, as well as cases and stands for watches under the name Salute (Salute in Latin transcription). This company has nothing to do with the historical watches of the 40-50s.
Also in Novosibirsk there is the Salute Watch Factory LLC, which produces wall clocks, alarm clocks, as well as cases and stands for watches under the name Salute (Salute in Latin transcription). This company has nothing to do with the historical watches of the 40-50s.
Samples
From the point of view of finishing, all Salut watches are divided into two types — "a" and "b".
TYPE "a", 1946 — 1950 years of release, surface finish of the movement is "lacework":
TYPE "a", 1946 — 1950 years of release, surface finish of the movement is "lacework":
3rd quarter 1946
There is no hallmark of the 2nd Watch Factory. Hour hand is of Molnija (?)
4th quarter 1946
1st quarter 1947
1-2 quarter 1947
Salut pocket watch in a complete set. The movement was made in the 1st quarter of 1947, the watch itself according to the certificate was made already in April. The movement has no hallmark of the 2nd Watch Factory
2nd quarter 1947
Hour hand if of Molnija. In both movement presented the setting (bezels) of jewels is as in the prototype (replacement?), and there is no hallmark of the 2nd Watch Factory
3rd quarter 1947
In the first watch the minute hand is of Molnija. There is no factory hallmark on the last movement
4th quarter 1947
Shown here are four different watches produced in this quarter. On the caseback of the first watch there is an inscription: "By the order of the minister to the graduate of VVMPU Kotlov A.R. April 24, 1949" (VVMPU is Leningrad Higher Naval Frontier School, which existed from 1940 to 1960)
2nd quarter 1948
On the last movement the beginning of the displacement of waves can be seen (on the lower bridge), or a change in the size of jewels
3 quarter 1948
4th quarter 1948
1st quarter 1949
2nd quarter 1950
"The bigel" (ring for attaching the chain) of this piece is "borrowed" from a watch of another brand
TYPE "b", 1950 — 1954 years of release, surface finish of the movement is "Geneva wave":
3rd quarter 1950
The last name is scrawled on the caseback (not engraving, superficial scratches). "Bigel" and chain are not original
4th quarter 1950
Hands are of Molnija
1st quarter 1951
"The earring" ("bigel") of this piece is "borrowed" from the Molnija watch
2nd quarter 1953
The crown and "earring" of this piece are "borrowed" from a watch of another brand
2nd quarter 1954
"Wide wave" on the movement. With certificate. A rare case when you can find out not only the quarter, but also the exact release date — May 5, 1954
3rd quarter 1954
The crown and "earring" of this piece are "borrowed" from a watch of another brand
Samples
- Vladimir G. Bogdanov. From Simple Wall Clocks to Time Devices of Orbital Space Stations
- Yury M. Tarasevich. Catalog "Pocket Watches", 2018
- Sergey E. Ivanov. 16 lines: from Cortebert 488 to Molnija 3603. Essay on the history of watch movements. SPb, 2018
- Katrenko D. Watches of 1946. // Technology for youth, April 1946, p. 13
- Forum watch.ru
- Watches of the USSR
- The proletarian worker and the capitalist bourgeois in the same boat: the amazing story of the Corterbert movement
- Watches Molnija, Pobeda. View from the outside
- Chelyabinsk Watch Factory Molnija
- Review of the history of the Molnija and Salut movements
- Timofey Shevyakov. Fire Flowers
In the Alternative Watch History, the Salut brand also appeared in Moscow in the second half of the 1940s, and also began with the production of pocket watches. The name, as in our reality, is associated with military salutes of the Second World War. The brand does not disappear by the mid-50s, but continues to exist in our time. It produces, of course, not pocket watches, but wristwatches in various price categories — from medium to high (including watches made of precious metals). The movements used are mainly Molnija's ones, akin to the original ChK-6 Salut.
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115093, Moscow
В. Serpukhovskaya,
19/37, b.4, fl.5
Phone: +7 495 997 68 35
Email: mail@russian.watch
© 2020 Russian Watches LLC
В. Serpukhovskaya,
19/37, b.4, fl.5
Phone: +7 495 997 68 35
Email: mail@russian.watch
© 2020 Russian Watches LLC
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