A Soviet pocket-watch calibre derived from the Cortébert 616 design, produced in very large quantity at Chelyabinsk and widely used in both plain and presentation pocket watches.
Monometallic balance, shock protection on later production
Complications
Subsidiary seconds
Identification features
Cyrillic factory markings and jewel count on the movement
Plate and bridge outline closely following the Cortébert design
Often found today in later skeletonised or re-cased forms made for the export market
Cyrillic markings and a layout derived from the Cortébert design
Very large numbers survive
Known variants
Plain 3602
Skeletonised export versions
Related Molnija calibres
Variants with differing jewel counts and finishing
Servicing notes
Mechanically simple and forgiving, which is why these movements are often recommended as practice pieces; genuine factory parts are still obtainable second-hand.
General guidance only. Antique movements should be serviced by a qualified watchmaker.
Historical significance
The most numerous mechanical pocket watch movement of the later twentieth century, and for many collectors the most accessible entry point into pocket watches.
Photographs
Molnija pocket watch — The original uploader was Kallemax at English Wikipedia., Public domain. Wikimedia Commons file page
Pocket Watch Molnija 3602 - Medal Des 2. World War - II Wk - Russian ... — poljotuhren.de, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (poljotuhren.de)
Vintage Pocket Watch MOLNIJA 3602 RAILROAD LOCOMOTIVE USSR Soviet ... — avaluer.net, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (avaluer.net)
NEW MOLNIJA 3602 marriage stainless steel wristwatch luxury fluted cas — watchsale24.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (watchsale24.com)
Watch Marriage MOLNIJA 3602 WristWatch Mechanical Vintage Style USSR ... — ebay.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (ebay.com)
Kristal et Molnija 3602, 3602A et 3603 – URSS Watch — urss.watch, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (urss.watch)
Vintage pocket Watch MOLNIJA 3602 1960s SOVIET USSR R… - Gem — gem.app, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (gem.app)
VreMax: Molnija 3602 Movement Pictures — Blogger 3133, Rights pending — source and visual checks completed; permission not yet requested. Web page (vremax.blogspot.com)
Molniya Watch Soviet USSR Mechanical Russian Molnija 3602 Classic Gift ... — ebay.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (ebay.com)
Watch Marriage MOLNIJA 3602 OPEN FACE Soviet Wristwatch 18 Jewels PILOT ... — ebay.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (ebay.com)
Watch Marriage MOLNIJA 3602 WristWatch Mechanical Vintage Style USSR ... — ebay.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (ebay.com)
VreMax: Molnija 3602 Movement Pictures — Blogger 3133, Rights pending — source and visual checks completed; permission not yet requested. Web page (vremax.blogspot.com)
Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.
Sources & references
Soviet watch factory catalogues and collector reference compilations
Production totals are not reliably published; no figure is given here.
de Carle, D., Watch and Clock Encyclopedia
Period trade material catalogues and calibre reference compilations (edition-dependent)
Published manufacturer technical documentation where available
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.
