There is not much published information about Italian military timepieces. Thus, we are left to analyze the occasional found object for whatever information it might provide.

This nickel cased, nail-set pocket watch has a porcelain dial with the words: Genio Militare.

Genio Militare is the Italian equivalent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the Corps of Royal Engineers in the British military.

The back of the case has an Italian coat of arms.

The absence of a prominent serial number and military property statement is an indication that this watch is more likely a private purchase item or perhaps an award, such as may have been given to graduates of a military engineering program.

So far, I have not identified the manufacturer of the watch. Although it is most likely Swiss. Having a nail-set movement tends to date the watch to the first quarter of the 20th century. Nail-set movements became much less common latter on. Fortunately, the watch is in very good working condition and keeping time.

Collectors often say, if only these old things could talk, what stories would they tell? The only provenance, if you can call it that, is that this watch was purchased from a seller in the former USSR. So, what's an Italian military watch doing in the former Soviet Union?

Although there are many ways for an old pocket watch to have moved around the world over the past 80 to 90 years, there are some historically interesting facts which could also explain how this watch got to the former USSR.

During WWII, Mussolini, decided to help his friend Hitler and the Third Reich by sending Italian troops to help destroy the Soviet Union. The 4th Alpine Division and the 5th Engineer Grouping were sent in summer 1942 to the Eastern Front. These units were destroyed by Soviet forces in December-January 1943. The IV Mixed Engineer Battalion was awarded a Silver Medal of Military Valor for its conduct and sacrifice on the Eastern Front. But it was a disaster, and after WWII very few Italian veterans ever returned home from service on the Eastern Front.

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

Curly