In 1956, a joint venture between Poland and the Soviet Union led to the creation of a new line of wristwatches aimed at the international market. This initiative birthed the “Błonie” brand, with the Polish Precision Mechanics Factory (Zakładów Mechaniczno Precyzyjnych) tasked with manufacturing the timepieces under license from the renowned First Moscow Watch Factory. The first batch of watches was produced in 1959, and the brand made its public debut at the Poznań International Fair in 1960.
Initially, Błonie watches were assembled using Soviet-made parts, but over time, the factory began to develop its own components, including cases and dials, integrating them into the production process. As the years went by, the factory expanded its in-house production, even creating rare movement bridges bearing Błonie’s own distinctive logo. In addition to the Błonie brand, watches were also produced under various other names, such as Alfa, Arras, Atlas, Bałtyk, Blonex, and more, broadening the brand’s reach across international markets.
The production of Błonie watches came to an end in the late 1960s, most likely due to the economic and political challenges of the era, which caused significant delays and disruptions in the manufacturing process. Nevertheless, between 1959 and 1969, around 1.2 million timepieces were produced, many of which were exported to countries around the world.
The Alfa brand, in particular, played a key role in this venture, not only within Poland but also on the international stage, appearing on export models from the First Moscow Watch Factory.