What Watch Did Joseph Stalin Wear?
In our “Who Wears What?” column—historical dictators edition—after Hitler and his watch allegedly sold at auction, today we turn to the moustachioed comrade of the Soviet Union: Joseph Stalin. Between Swiss pocket watches, lavish diplomatic gifts and Soviet watchmaking, the man of steel was not quite so lacking when it came to timekeepers.
A gold Longines attributed to Stalin
According to certain sources, notably the URSS Watch website, Stalin is said to have owned a gold Longines dated 1939, now on display at the Gori museum in his hometown in Georgia. This understated, elegant model fits the watchmaking codes of the era, with a yellow-gold case, a light dial and a hand-wound mechanical movement. However, this Longines is not formally documented by the brand’s archives or by official institutions.
A Buhre pocket watch: the most modest
Stalin also owned a pocket watch signed Buhre (or Paul Buhre), a watchmaking house of Swiss origin but historically established in Saint Petersburg. Founded in 1815, Buhre was already supplying the Russian imperial court before the revolution. Stalin’s watch, in silver with a classic design, is said to have been his everyday timepiece during his youth or at the beginning of his political career.
Horological gifts from the West
Among the watches identified as diplomatic gifts is a Cartier Model A Mystery Clock (with its invisible movement), presented by General de Gaulle during an official meeting. Western haute horlogerie occasionally made its way onto Soviet desks, despite the regime’s anti-bourgeois ideals.
Another remarkable piece: a Patek Philippe No. 93709, a world-time watch delivered to Moscow in 1947. While its exact destination remains uncertain, several clues suggest it may have been intended for Stalin. This exceptional model displayed 24 time zones simultaneously: a masterpiece of Genevan watchmaking.
A gold watch for a comrade
A Soviet associate recounted that Stalin offered him a gold chronograph after noticing his American pilot’s watch. Stalin reportedly told him: “I see you have a good tool, but it’s too modest for a person in charge. Take this one.” The model remains unknown, but the anecdote neatly illustrates the symbolic importance of watches within the Soviet apparatus.
Controversies and uncertainties: a Hamilton for Stalin?
Some recent articles have raised the possibility that Stalin may have worn an American Hamilton, model 987A, during or after the Second World War. Thousands of watches of this type were delivered to the USSR under Allied aid programmes. While several Soviet dignitaries did indeed receive them, there is no formal proof that Stalin himself wore a Hamilton. This hypothesis therefore remains speculative.
FAQ
Which watch did Stalin wear regularly?
According to some sources, a gold Longines wristwatch dated 1939 is said to be on display at the Gori museum.
Did Stalin have a pocket watch?
Yes: a silver Buhre pocket watch, Swiss-made, which he is said to have worn when he was younger.
Did he receive watches as gifts?
Yes—notably a Cartier clock from General de Gaulle and a Patek Philippe world-time watch delivered to Moscow in 1947.
Did he wear a Hamilton watch?
There is no formal proof, but some sources mention this possibility in the context of Allied aid during the Second World War. It remains an unconfirmed hypothesis.
