Duber Hampden watch collectors are well aware that after the bankruptcy of Duber-Hampden the USSR purchased the factory, lock stock and barrel. Everything was shipped to Moscow. The various parts machines and supplies formed the nucleus of the First and Second Moscow watch factories.

The Russians focused production upon a basic 16 size open face Hampden movement, which was used in pocket and wrist watches as well as small vehicle clocks.

This particular watch appears to be a very early Soviet produced railroad watch using a left over Hampden railroad movement. The painted metal face, case and movement appear to be original to the watch.

The marking on the back of the case is for the Turksib railroad, build between 1927 and 1933 to link Turkmenistan to Siberia. It was a major project at that time.

The case has a screw-back and screw off front bezel. It is marked inside for the 1st Moscow watch factory.

This is the interesting part. Although this lever set Hampden movement is marked 21 jewels, in fact it has only 17 jewels. There is no indication that the watch ever had the extra cap jewels to qualify as a 21 jewel watch. This railroad watch was most likely assembled or completed from parts salvaged from the Duber-Hampden factory by the Russians.

An extremely nice find Greg, a great piece of History

I like this!!