Molnija Owner Review : Humble, wild and secret

Savonnette pocket watches are no longer very fashionable, although Tissot still offers them in its catalog. They do, however, have the advantage of offering a different relationship with time. The watch is hidden in a pocket; only the chain is noticeable. When it's taken out, the time remains hidden; you hear the ticking of the mechanism, but only the engravings on the outer faces are visible. Here, we see a capercaillie on one side and conifer branches on the other. Presumably, this is meant to appeal to the soul of the hunter or the skier, who is then reminded of their best memories in nature. To read the time, you must take the watch in your hand, press the crown button at three o'clock, and let the cover open. The time is then very legible: two large black baton hands indicate the hour and minutes. The seconds are displayed in small print at 9 o'clock. The decorative inner cover features a rosette motif, but it's clear the engraving could be personal or contain a cherished photograph of the watch's wearer. A secret revealed only when the time is checked. Therefore, it's no longer "a watch" on display, but a "timepiece" or "timekeeper" that unveils a secret when opened. Essentially, it's a pocket watch, the antithesis of a flashy Royal Pop. The watch can be left open on a table, or closed and slipped into a pocket. The time disappears, leaving only a faint metallic scent on the skin. It's a different experience. The soundtrack I would associate with this watch, evoking wide-open spaces and the wilderness, is Neil Young's score for the film "Dead Man" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkG7P8i64x8