Poljot Russian Tank Commander's Chronograph

Back in the 1980's I met a man at one of our national clock and watch shows that was the director of the Poljot Watch Factories in Russia and he and I had a great time talking about the watch world.  He told me that the Hampden Watch company, located in Canton, Ohio, was producing quality watches circa 1890, and that they introduced the first size 16, 23 jewel movement made in America.  In 1923,  two businesses merged to become the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company and in 1925, John Dueber sold the company to Walter Vrettman. In 1927, falling sales led to the company going into receivership and by 1930, Amtorg Trading Corporation purchased the Dueber-Hampden Watch Company together with all of the manufacturing equipment, parts on hand, and work in progress, in order to build a factory in Russia.  T It was a massive task to move 28 boxcars of machinery from Canton, together with 21 Dueber Hampden employees to teach the Russians the craft of watchmaking.

This became the First State Watch Factory. 

As the Nazi army closed in on Moscow, in the Autumn of 1941, the factory was hurriedly evacuated to Zlatoust, where more than 300,000 Zlatoust Type-1 watches and clocks were made. By 1943, the Moscow factory was re-established and renamed the First Moscow Watch Factory and continued the manufacture of pocket watches and stopwatches, as well as watches for Soviet Navy divers.

 I'm relaying all this information to point out that he sold me this particular Soviet Tank Commander's Chronograph which was descended from this heritage.  It came from that factory back in the 1980's and I have had it ever since.  It is housed in a stainless steel case measuring 38mm in diameter (not including the crown) by 45mm lug to lug, by 14mmk thick.  The movement is a very hearty 23 jewel workhorse that is running like the day it crossed the ocean 32 years ago. It displays a date window at the six o'clock position and it has a constant seconds dial at the nine o'clock position with a corresponding recorded minute sub dial at the three o'clock position.  The gray dial with white chapter ring is a real handsome addition that displays the Russian Tank Commanders Logo just above the six o'clock position. You will also notice in the "Zoom-In" photos that there is a second crown at the nine o'clock position that allows the user to align a triangular indicator with the position of the minute hand for elapsed from any point on the dial.  This feature is under the crystal and can be set at will by this second crown. We have adorned it with an 18mm grey, sea snake band that seems to suit it quite well.  Even if you are not tank commander in the Russian Army you can wear a watch that was intended for one.  Our one year warranty for parts and labor will assure you a hassle free purchase.