In our “Who wears what?” section. », section historical dictators, after Hitler and his supposed watch sold at auction, today let us look at the case of the mustachioed comrade of the Soviet Union: Joseph Stalin. Between Swiss pocket watches, luxurious diplomatic gifts and Soviet watchmaking, the iron man was not so deprived when it came to timepieces.
According to certain sources, notably the site USSR WatchStalin would have owned a Longines in gold dated 1939on display today at the museum in Gori, his hometown in Georgia. This model, sober and elegant, corresponds to the watchmaking codes of the time, with a yellow gold case, a clear dial and a mechanical movement with manual winding. This Longines is, however, not formally documented by the archives of the brand or official institutions.
Stalin also had a pocket watch signed Buhre (or Paul Buhre), a watchmaking company of Swiss origin but historically established in Saint Petersburg. Founded in 1815, Buhre already supplied the Russian imperial court before the revolution. Stalin's watch, in silver, with a classic design, would have been his daily timepiece during his youth or at the start of his political career.
Among the watches identified as diplomatic gifts, we find a Cartier Type A Mysterious Pendulum (with its invisible movement) offered by General de Gaulle during an official meeting. Western watchmaking luxury sometimes made its way onto Soviet offices, despite the regime's anti-bourgeois ideals.
Another remarkable piece: a Patek Philippe No.93709world time watch, delivered to Moscow in 1947. Although its exact destination remains uncertain, several clues suggest that it could have been intended for Stalin. This exceptional model simultaneously displayed 24 time zones: a masterpiece of Geneva watchmaking.
A Soviet collaborator said that Stalin had offered him a gold chronograph after noticing his American pilot's watch. Stalin reportedly told him: “I see that you have a good tool, but too modest for a manager. Take this one. » The model remains unknown, but the anecdote clearly illustrates the symbolic importance of watches in the Soviet apparatus.
Some recent articles have raised the possibility that Stalin may have worn a American Hamiltonmodel 987A, during or after World War II. Thousands of watches of this type were delivered to the USSR as part of Allied aid programs. If several Soviet dignitaries actually received them, there is no formal proof that Stalin himself wore a Hamilton. This hypothesis therefore remains speculative.
According to some sources, a gold Longines wristwatch, dated 1939, is on display at the Gori Museum.
Yes, a silver Buhre watch, Swiss made, that he would have worn when he was younger.
Yes, notably a Cartier clock from General de Gaulle and a Patek Philippe world time clock delivered to Moscow in 1947.
There is no formal proof, but some sources mention this possibility in the context of Allied aid during the Second World War. This remains an unconfirmed hypothesis.
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