The history of "The First Moscow Watch Factory"

The history of "The First Moscow Watch Factory"

The recognized leader of the Russian watch industry, JSC "The First Moscow watch factory", manufacturer of "Poljot" (Flight) watches brand celebrated its 70th anniversary in October, 2000, along with the whole Russian watch industry.

Building of tobacco factory " Red October "

The history of the factory began in December, 1927, when the Soviet Government had made a decision to create the watch industry. Later there was promulgated a decree of Councel of Labour and Defence "About the organization of the watch production in the USSR"

 
The first body 1-st MWF, constructed in 1930.

The building of the First watch factory that pretended to be a top- priority project, began in Fabruary, 1930, on the territory of "The Red Star" tobacco factory. In October, 1st, the project was completed. By November 7,1930 the first 50 items of pocket watches were made.

KChZ - or clocks of 1-st type, maiden production of factory (pocket watch)

Simultaneously with the setting things going, there began a training of watch business personnel. In the shortest terms the young workers learnt to manufacture In the shortest terms the young workers learnt to manufacture watch parts and assembly the dodges.

KChZ - or clocks of 1-st type, maiden production of factory (watch)

The factory grew day by day increasing the volume of output. So in 1931 there was manufactured(issued) 70 thousand watches, and in 1932 - already 200 thousand watches.

The 1935 - year of appropriation to factory of a name Serge Kirov - became crucial in the history of the factory. The reconstruction of the enterprise began. The issue of pocket watch has increased up to 450 thousand pieces. Besides the production of special clocks for cars and airplanes was mastered.

The watch "Pobeda"(Victory) K - 26. Issue with 1946 on 1953 years.

With the beginning of the World War II the production of watches was suspended. But immediatelly after the Victory the enterprise manufactured the first Soviet-made man's wrist watch of "Pobeda"(Victory} brand. In 1949-1950 years assembly of watches "Pobeda"(Victory) was completely transferred to the conveyor, that not only increased the output, but also has improved the quality the of assembly. 13 conveyor lines were created. By 1951 the annual total output of watches at the factory has reached half a million, and in 1955 - 1 million. and 100 thousand pieces.

"Poljot"(Flying) 2209 and 2200. Super thin watches. Height of the dodge
of 2,9 mms and 1,85 mms accordingly. Issue with 1961 on 1979 years.

Side by side with the increase in the output the other task was set: to increase the range of goods and to improve the appearance. And then the re- equipment of the factory and the creation of the home base for manufacturing new machinery began. By this time the factory had already had a high scientific potential which was capable not only to improve the old equipment, but also to create principally new automatic machines.

Updatings of "Pobeda"(Victory) - hours "Moscow", "Mayak"(Lighthouse)

The introduction of the progressive methods of work made possible to manufacture new types of watches with composite dodges: with a central second hand, and an antistrike knot of the balance. There appeared new models of watches such as "Moscow", "Mayak"(Lighthouse), "Sporting", "Rhodinum", "Kirov".

The work collective of the factory was worthily awarded: by the Decree of Presidium of the Supreme Soviet USSR in 1966 the First Moscow watch factory of "M. Kirov" got "The Order of Lenin".

Watch "Shturmanskie"(Mate). Issue with 1949 on 1953 years.
With these watch Uriy Gagarin has committed the first space flying.

In April 12, 1961 Jury Gagarin took the watch "Shturmanskie" to the first in the human history space flight. The watch perfectly stood this space test.

The collective of the enterprise maintains close contacts with astronauts: our astronauts watch the time on the space tracks using the facrtory's time - sets. The factory got the name "Poljot" in honour of the space trips.

Watch "Sputnik"(Satellite). The driving missile drawn on the transparent disk,
executed a role of a second hand. And antimagnetic watch "Antarctic Continent"
with 24 - hour index dial. Issue with 1957 on 1958 years.

The watches produced by the First Moscow Watch Factory participated in high latitude expeditions to the Arctic Region and Antarctic Continent. The watch "Antarctic Continent" were created specially for the participants of the first expedition to South Pole. In 1977 the watch othe First Moscow Watch Factory traveled to North Pole by the atom - powered ship "The Arctic".

The First Moscow watch factory is the pioneer of the watch production in the USSR - and now it is the unique factory which develops the constructions of clock - works.

Almost all the models of the Soviet men's watches known all over the world were developed and produced at the factory.

The mechanical watches were the first to be developed and produced at the factory. They had a sweep- second hand, an automatic clockwork, a calendar and a warning device.

Originally the enterprise specialized only on issue of the men's watches, but since 1986 the factory issued a great number of woman's watches, and also different watches for the technical purpose.

The special place among the output of the enterprise isoccupied by a high-precision Marine deck's watch and Marine Chronometer 6MX, without which practically none of the Russian vessels puts to sea nowadays.

Today " the First Moscow watch factory " produces the mechanical watches of high - quality with the stop - watch mechanism - chronograph of the series 3133, and also watches with a warning device - series 2612.2. By the way, in the world mechanical chronographs and the analogs of "Sygnal"(Cue) are produced only by several Swiss companies. The high level of technological development, design and quality of production of "Poljot" are the important evidence of the fact that exactly the watch "Poljot"3133 was chosen by the President's Administration as the awarding watch " From the President of the Russian Federation".

At the same time the enterprise produces men's watches of more simple constructions oriented on a wide variety of the buyers: mechanical watch with a single calendar 2614 and without a one 2609.

The Heightened reliability, accuracy of the run, durability of clock-works are distinctive features of the mark "Poljot". Thanks to the modern classic design which is capable to satisfy tastes of the most refined buyers, high quality of production, perfectly organized service and reasonable prices, the mark "Poljot" won the recognition not only at the Russian watch market but also at the foreign ones.

JSC "The First Moscow watch factory " is the leading exporter of the Russian watches, only for the last 30 years more than 30 million items had been sold in more than 35 countries. The Production of the factory got the awards and certificates on the international exhibitions and fairs in Bruxelles, Damascus, Brno and Leipzig. On the exhibition " the All-Russia mark (III-millenium ) ". The sign of quality XXI of century a chronograph 3133 and watches with a warning device 2612.1 of mark "Poljot" were declared the best Russian goods and awarded with Gold and Silver Medals.