I closely follow recent developments in the Russian watch industry, and one of the companies that truly deserves attention is Molnija. As many of you probably know, Molnija was originally established in the Soviet Union in 1947 under the name ČČZ – Čeljabinsk Časovoj Zavod (Chelyabinsk Watch Factory).
Initially, the factory specialized in producing timepieces for military applications, such as dashboard clocks for airplanes, tanks, and trucks. Soon after, the company expanded into pocket watch production in cooperation with 2MČZ. Over time, ČČZ became known as a pocket watch specialist, with the 3602 movement becoming its flagship product, recognized around the world.
In 1960, the company was renamed after its main brand: Molnija. The post-Soviet period was particularly challenging, and the company struggled to survive. However, in 2010, it was privatized and began a slow but steady recovery. Today, Molnija is once again a solid player in the Russian watch market.
In recent years, the company has launched a wide array of models, demonstrating a surge of creativity and innovation. The latest watches from Molnija are well-designed and made from quality materials, with a broad selection of movements across the range. Here's an overview of their current offerings:
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AČS (named after aircraft dashboard clocks): available with a Ronda 3520.D quartz movement or a Miyota 8215 automatic movement.
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Baikal: powered by the Miyota 8215.
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Chameleon: uses the Miyota 8215.
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Energy: equipped with the Ronda Z60 quartz movement.
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Evolution: features the Miyota 6S21 quartz chronograph.
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Etude: uses Molnija’s own mechanical movement, the 3603.
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Green Ray: also features the 3603.
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Tribute 1984 and Tribute 1984 ver. 2: both are powered by the 3603.
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Pearl: fitted with the Ronda 715 quartz movement.
A particularly interesting piece is the Hyron, which stands out by not bearing the Molnija branding. It can be considered a separate brand in its own right and uses the high-quality Sellita SW215-1 hand-wound movement.
I must say that I really like what Molnija is producing at the moment—that’s why I’ve built up quite a collection of their recent models. As you can see in the first photo, my current collection includes the Baikal, Chameleon, Hyron, Tribute 1984 ver. 2, and Etude (from the top left corner to the bottom right corner).
What’s worth pointing out is that Molnija does not use a single, unified logo across all its watches. I’ve already mentioned the curious case of the Hyron, which carries no Molnija branding at all and seems to stand as a separate entity. But even within the Molnija-branded range, there are two very different logos in use. Some watches bear the “Molnija” name, while others feature a symbol that resembles two arrows. Whether this is supposed to represent lightning (which is what “Molnija” means in Russian) or something entirely different, I can’t say for sure.
To conclude this introductory part, here’s another interesting observation: among the wristwatches mentioned, Molnija also offers table clocks—but curiously, not a single pocket watch is currently in their catalog. The once-iconic product that made the brand world-famous during Soviet times has completely vanished. However, as already mentioned, the most important component—the legendary 3602 movement—is still in production.
Even though other watches, such as the Hyron, would definitely deserve a closer review, I’ve decided to focus on the models powered by the 3602 movement—or more precisely, the 3603 movement, which is its modern successor. The 3603 was developed sometime around 1990. To clarify right away: the main difference between the 3602 and 3603 is that the 3603 has shock protection, whereas the 3602 does not.
The number “3603” also follows the official Soviet-era coding system for watch movements. In this system, the first two digits indicate the movement's diameter (in millimeters), while the remaining digits describe its functions and complications. If you’re unfamiliar with this coding scheme, I highly recommend visiting www.netgrafik.ch/russian-codes.htm Just keep in mind that this coding system was only introduced in the mid-1960s, so movements produced before then naturally do not carry these designations.
To begin the review of watches powered by the 3603 movement, I first need to say a few words about the movement itself. The Soviet watch industry developed the original 3602 movement based on the Swiss Cortebert 620. The very first watch featuring this movement was produced by 2MČZ (marked with the stamp Č2Z – later known as Slava) shortly after World War II. I actually own one of these early pieces, dating from the first quarter of 1947.
The watch in question was the Saljut pocket watch, and its movement had 15 jewels, just like the original Cortebert. Shortly after, the Saljut was followed by Molnija-branded watches—though still produced by 2MČZ!
In the photos below, you can see an example of a 2MČZ-made Molnija, followed by one produced by ČČZ (Chelyabinsk Watch Factory). Pay attention to the hallmark stamps: 2ČZ in the middle photo, and ČČZ in the right-hand photo.
Even though the early movements from 2MČZ and ČČZ look identical to the later 3602, they are, in fact, not the same. The 3602 movement is slightly thicker, and not all components are interchangeable with the earlier versions.
Additionally, while the original ČČZ movements still had 15 jewels, Molnija continued to develop and refine the design. By the time the official Soviet movement coding system was introduced, the movement had been upgraded to 18 jewels. On the right-hand side, you can see two versions of these already-upgraded 18-jewel movements, both stamped with the 3602 marking.
Although the vast majority of these movements were used in Molnija-branded pocket watches, other names were also employed—including Kristall, Serkisoff, and Sekonda.
A particularly interesting watch is the Ural wristwatch, which was the only wristwatch ever produced by ČČZ, manufactured in the late 1950s. What makes the Ural stand out is the fact that ČČZ modified the movement specifically for a wristwatch format. Instead of a small seconds subdial, it featured a central seconds hand—a change that required the addition of an extra wheel, making the movement slightly thicker.
The Ural had 16 jewels, and if the Soviet coding system had already been in place at that time, this movement would likely have been designated as 3608.
The watch itself was quite large for its era, with a case diameter of 39 mm, and featured a rather unusual and distinctive case design. It’s a pity that it was not produced for a longer period.
Molnija never produced any wristwatches with the 3602 movement—but that doesn't mean wristwatches with this movement didn't exist. In fact, quite a few newly established watch brands in post-Soviet Russia used the 3602 in their models. For example, I used to own a Sturmovik wristwatch by Moscow Classic, which featured this very movement.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the new 3603-powered watches. In the introduction, I mentioned four collections that currently use this movement: Green Ray, Tribute 1984, Tribute 1984 ver. 2, and Etude. As far as I know, they were launched in that order—and this progression is also evident in their design.
While the Green Ray still has a rather basic appearance with a distinctly “Soviet” aesthetic, the Tribute 1984 already shows some steps toward a more modern look. The Tribute 1984 ver. 2 and Etude, on the other hand, are far removed from Soviet-era design language and feel very contemporary.
I don’t own a Green Ray or Tribute 1984, so I’m unable to illustrate this design evolution with personal photos—but I encourage you to check them out for yourself on Molnija’s official website www.molnija.shop
It's worth noting that Green Ray and Tribute ver. 1 are part of the Molnija-branded collection (with the “Molnija” text logo), while Tribute ver. 2 and Etude fall under the “arrow” logo branding.
The most noticeable design changes appear on the dials. While the Green Ray features a very basic white dial, the Tribute 1984 ver. 1 introduced more variety, including black, blue, and grey ray-shaped dials. Moving further, Tribute ver. 2 and Etude take it a step further by incorporating guilloché dials. These two collections offer a wide range of dial designs, color combinations, hand styles, and numeral formats.
Notably, Tribute ver. 2 and Etude also introduced dials with Roman numerals. In my opinion, the Roman numerals on the Etude models are disproportionately large, and I find the final look unbalanced—so much so that I chose not to get a version with Roman numerals. In contrast, the Roman dial on the Tribute ver. 2 is clean and elegant.
To round out the dial discussion: the Etude model adds an extra level of sophistication with a three-dimensional dial design. The edge of the dial is slightly raised, and the minute markers are embossed, giving the watch added depth. On all four collections, the dial proudly states that the watch uses the 3603 movement.
All four series feature stainless steel cases and sapphire crystals. Earlier this year, Molnija introduced a limited edition version of the Tribute ver. 2 and Etude models with a sapphire display case back. This addition intrigued me enough to purchase the Etude with the transparent back.
The display case back is a great touch—it allows us to admire the historic movement in a fresh, modern presentation. The anti-shock protection system is immediately visible through the back as well (see the left photo above the balance wheel).
I don’t know if the standard versions of these watches with solid steel case backs feature the same level of finishing on the movement, as I haven’t opened my Tribute watch just to check that.
It should also be pointed out that all four collections are big watches! The Green Ray and both Tribute versions have a case diameter of 44 mm, while the Etude is even larger at 46 mm. The first three use 22 mm lugs, and the Etude comes with 24 mm lugs. All models have a thickness of 14 mm, which is substantial for non-chronograph watches. They wear large on the wrist and are definitely not recommended for wrist sizes under 19 cm! Part of the reason may lie in the movement itself, which is quite large. However, it’s worth noting that the vintage Ural watch also used the same diameter movement but had a much smaller overall case size. Looking at Molnija’s entire modern collection, one can see that virtually all of their watches are oversized—almost none are smaller than 44 mm. The only exception is the Pearl line, which measures 41 mm in diameter—but that’s Molnija’s ladies’ collection. :)
What I really appreciate is how well the dial colors are matched with the leather strap tones. For example, on my blue Etude, the strap is dark blue with light blue stitching—and those exact two shades appear on the dial depending on how the light reflects off its surface. The brown strap on my Tribute also pairs perfectly with the brown dial. I’ve noticed this same thoughtful matching on my Chameleon watch as well, so I’m sure this is not just a coincidence.
The leather straps are equipped with pin buckles that are signed with the same logo found on the watch itself—either the “Molnija” text or the “arrows” logo, depending on the model.
I have no complaints about the straps—on all of my watches, they are of solid quality and feel great on the wrist.
The main flaw of these watches is the movement itself. If you're unfamiliar with this movement, you might be surprised by how stiff and loud the winding feels. The watch also ticks quite loudly—you can easily hear it while wearing it on your wrist. Personally, I feel that the Tribute ver. 2 is louder than the Etude. Maybe it's just my perception, or perhaps it really is due to the Etude’s case being thicker, larger, and offering better sound insulation compared to the Tribute.
That said, this loudness isn’t a drawback for me. In fact, I actually enjoy the ticking sound, especially because the movement beats at a slower 18,000 A/h, which gives the watch a distinctly archaic, almost nostalgic sound.
Where the movement truly falls short—at least by modern standards—is in accuracy. After a week of continuous wear (winding the watch every morning and not taking it off even at night), both of my watches showed a gain of about +40 seconds per day.
I usually also like to comment on the price. In this case, I have to congratulate Molnija—considering the use of stainless steel cases and sapphire crystals, their prices are generally not as high as those of some other Russian watch brands these days. Standard models are priced around 25,000 RUB (approx. 275 EUR), while the versions with display case backs go for about 30,000 RUB (approx. 330 EUR). But it’s worth noting that their online store often runs discounts—typically 10–15%, and occasionally even higher for some models. With free worldwide DHL Express shipping, and even when accounting for customs and taxes, Molnija’s watches remain quite affordable.
Molnija prices its 3603-equipped watches similarly to those using the Miyota 8215—higher than those with Ronda quartz movements, but still below the Hyron, which features a Sellita caliber. That said, the display-back versions might be a bit overpriced compared to the standard ones—and even more so when compared to the Hyron. Still, all things considered, the pricing is quite reasonable.
And just to close with a friendly suggestion to Molnija: how about a proper reissue of the Ural, powered by a modern 3608 movement? That would truly be a fitting tribute to ČČZ! Molnija definitely has room in its lineup for a new, smaller collection, and a 40–42 mm Ural would be an excellent candidate.
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Hi sorry
I don’t have your name
But could you phone me
On 07702134638 or send me your number and I’ll call you
I have a question about a 3602 Russian pocket watch movement
Regards
Brian
Sent from my iPhone
Hi, Brian. You did not post international phone number code so I have no idea where are you from and can’t call you. Please feel free to send me an email and I will be glad to help if I can.
if is possible i want your opinion to buy a russian diver watch.
In chrono24.com there is a poljot watch .
Poljot
Molnija Manual 3602 Vodolaz Diver 3602/00431128
.is this movement 3602 or 3603 ?
and is it made in russia or china ?
thank you
Hi, Dimitros.
Thanks for your question.
I sent you an email with more details..
What a pity that so many beautiful Molnijas are ruined by putting the movements in wristwatches cases! That way, these pieces of history cease to exist. And they are also ugly and bad taste. So many of them were and still are destroyed in this manner, that, soon, there will be no more original Molnijas. Even if they were made in great number.
Sorry, first, I thought it's about those horrible franken watches made with old Molnija movements, but no, they are brand new. Of course, that's completely different, they are very nice.
Thank you very much for a wonderful article. There is not much information available regarding Molnija and this is very helpful. The company has also recently launched the "Amulet" series using a newly designed in-house 3605 movement. The 3605 is (per my understanding) based on the 3603 but adds a date complication. It is very exciting to see a new in-house manual mechanical caliber being launched by any manufacturer nowadays!