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New Listing!
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Here is a remarkable
survivor of World War Two for you history buffs and military collectors.
This Elgin is one of less than 3,000 watches provided to the Soviet
Union by the United States under the Lend-Lease agreements at the
beginning of World War 2 for use by Soviet combat officers and it bears
the engraving on the back in Russian; "To Our Allies in the USSR from
the people of the USA" This historically important Elgin is in
remarkable condition for a combat veteran coming out of Russia after
seeing military service against the Nazi's plus 67 years. The 30mm x
37mm snap back case is in great shape with no corrosion, damage or wear
thru. The factory original dial shows some age but still quite
presentable, especially for a Russian war watch. The original
Elgin cal. 580 7 jewel movement is clean with no corrosion and is
running strong and keeping good time. Original crown, but the flawless
crystal is probably a recent replacement. Vintage watches coming out of
the old Soviet Union these days are in notoriously poor condition and
have invariably been worn out and re-built, re-painted and re-cased and
all original examples in decent condition like this are quite rare. We
can only guess that the inscription "To Our Allies in the USSR from the
people of the USA" saved this watch from being worn and worn out
in Stalinist Russia and the cold war years after. Getting caught wearing
such a watch may well have gotten a person sent to Siberia. Fitted with
a modern and new Russian made black leather 16mm strap. |
