USSR (Russia) - Soviet Military-Themed Wristwatch – Portrait Dial of Joseph Stalin – USSR Symbolism – Mechanical – - Military accessories

This is a visually powerful and ideologically saturated Soviet-themed mechanical wristwatch, distinguished primarily by its highly expressive propaganda dial, which constitutes the central historical and collector value of the piece.

Watch and movement:
This is a Soviet mechanical wristwatch powered by the caliber 2409A, a 17-jewel, hand-wound movement.
The 2409A is a simple and robust time-only caliber, widely used in Soviet watches and known for its durability, stable operation, and ease of servicing. It was designed for everyday use rather than precision chronometry or complex functions.
The caseback markings “Shock-resistant” and “Dust-protected” reflect the utilitarian character of the watch.
Strap is not original.

- The watch has been fully serviced, professionally cleaned and lubricated by an experienced watchmaker.

Dial – ideological and historical significance (key element)

The dial is the dominant and defining feature of this watch and represents a concentrated example of late Soviet / post-Soviet visual ideology.

At its center is a portrait of Joseph Stalin, rendered in a classical heroic style, surrounded by a mass procession of pioneers and youth holding red banners. This composition directly references official Soviet propaganda posters of the mid-20th century, glorifying leadership, collective unity, and the cult of victory and discipline.

Additional symbolic elements include:
- Red star with hammer and sickle, a core emblem of Soviet military and political power
- “СССР” (USSR) insignia, reinforcing state identity
- 24-hour scale around the perimeter, traditionally associated with military and aviation timekeeping
- Decorative color blocks resembling signal or command markings
- The dial functions not merely as a time display but as a miniature ideological tableau, reflecting:
- Soviet personality cult aesthetics
- militarized youth imagery
- continuity of WWII and Cold War symbolism into commemorative objects

Today, such dials possess independent collector value, especially within the Militaria, Cold War, and Soviet propaganda memorabilia categories. Their appeal lies precisely in the intensity and directness of the imagery, which is no longer produced.

Case and construction:
The watch is housed in a chromed metal case with characteristic angular lugs, typical of Soviet designs from the 1970s–1980s. The surface shows visible wear, scratches, and plating loss, consistent with age and use, and fully acceptable within a historical artifact context.

- The screw-down caseback bears Cyrillic inscriptions:
- “Противоударные” (Shock-resistant)
- “Пылезащищенные” (Dust-protected)
- Caliber marking 2409A, a well-known Soviet mechanical movement architecture
- These markings emphasize the utilitarian and robust philosophy of Soviet watchmaking.

Movement:
Mechanical movement, manual winding, based on the Soviet 2409A caliber family, widely used for its reliability and simplicity. This movement type was mass-produced and easy to service, aligning with military and civilian needs of the era.

- The watch has been fully serviced, professionally cleaned and lubricated by an experienced watchmaker.

Historical context:
Watches of this type belong to a transitional period when Soviet symbols continued to circulate as commemorative, nostalgic, or ideological objects. The use of Stalin’s portrait places this piece firmly within a highly charged historical narrative, making it especially relevant for collectors interested in:
- Soviet leadership cults
- Cold War visual culture
- ideological militaria beyond conventional medals and uniforms
- Such watches were never neutral objects; they were carriers of meaning, memory, and political identity.

Summary:
- This wristwatch should be viewed as a portable historical artifact, where the dial alone embodies:
- Soviet propaganda tradition
- militarized youth imagery
- and the enduring symbolic presence of Stalin in Soviet and post-Soviet material culture
- An excellent acquisition for collectors of Militaria, Soviet propaganda art, Cold War memorabilia, or historically significant watch dials.

Shipping:
Ships from Ukraine within 3 working days after auction ends.
Registered shipping with tracking number (Track & Trace).
Estimated delivery time from Ukraine: 15–45 days
Ships from Ukraine (non-EU). Please note that customs duties may apply in your country.