Luch-1800, Luch-1300, Luch-2209 mechanisms
Clockwork «Luch-1800»
The history of the Minsk Watch Factory began in 1953, when it was decided to establish a watchmaking industry in Belarus. The factory was built along Minsk’s main avenue, which meant the building’s appearance had to meet high standards. Construction started in the difficult post-war years, but on December 14, 1955, the first watches – «Zarya» (Brightening) – rolled off the assembly line (1). These were small women’s watches with an 18 mm clockwork on 16 ruby stones. The mechanism had 80 parts, many of them less than 1 mm in size. In 1961, the factory introduced several models with gold-colored aluminum bracelets, which became very popular among women and were nicknamed «crab» and «skobka» (bracket) (2).
Clockwork «Luch-1300»
Mastering production of the «Luch-1800» allowed the team to design a new caliber. Their goal was to create the smallest women’s wristwatch in the country. The result was a watch with a 13 mm clockwork. The design and clockwork drew on experience from the «Zarya» watches. The case back was made of stainless steel, and the watches had separate lugs for a flat strap. The first trial batch came out in 1961 under the name «Minsk» (3), and the clockwork was called «Luch-1300».
Clockwork «Luch-2209»
In1963, the factory began producing extra-thin men’s watches. «Luch-2209» mechanism featured a central seconds hand and shock protection. Elegant models with different dial designs appeared in stores, earning the nickname «suits watches» (4). At the time, these were the thinnest mechanical watches in the Soviet Union. They were so popular that the last model was released in 1987. The dial designs varied widely – some had the «TV» style (5), reflecting the era’s fascination with television. In 1980, a special «Luch-2209» edition with Olympic symbols (6) was released for the Moscow Games.
The history of the Minsk Watch Factory began in 1953, when it was decided to establish a watchmaking industry in Belarus. The factory was built along Minsk’s main avenue, which meant the building’s appearance had to meet high standards. Construction started in the difficult post-war years, but on December 14, 1955, the first watches – «Zarya» (Brightening) – rolled off the assembly line (1). These were small women’s watches with an 18 mm clockwork on 16 ruby stones. The mechanism had 80 parts, many of them less than 1 mm in size. In 1961, the factory introduced several models with gold-colored aluminum bracelets, which became very popular among women and were nicknamed «crab» and «skobka» (bracket) (2).
Clockwork «Luch-1300»
Mastering production of the «Luch-1800» allowed the team to design a new caliber. Their goal was to create the smallest women’s wristwatch in the country. The result was a watch with a 13 mm clockwork. The design and clockwork drew on experience from the «Zarya» watches. The case back was made of stainless steel, and the watches had separate lugs for a flat strap. The first trial batch came out in 1961 under the name «Minsk» (3), and the clockwork was called «Luch-1300».
Clockwork «Luch-2209»
In1963, the factory began producing extra-thin men’s watches. «Luch-2209» mechanism featured a central seconds hand and shock protection. Elegant models with different dial designs appeared in stores, earning the nickname «suits watches» (4). At the time, these were the thinnest mechanical watches in the Soviet Union. They were so popular that the last model was released in 1987. The dial designs varied widely – some had the «TV» style (5), reflecting the era’s fascination with television. In 1980, a special «Luch-2209» edition with Olympic symbols (6) was released for the Moscow Games.
