In the early 20th century, pocket watches produced by several companies were in fashion in Russia, with the Paul Buhré company being the most popular. It was one of the first watch companies in Europe. Its history began in 1815. Karl Buhré, along with his son, Paul, moved to St. Petersburg from Reval. Paul became his father’s assistant and later continued his legacy. Paul’s son, also named Paul, inherited the business. In 1874, he acquired a watch factory in Le Locle, Switzerland. In 1880, Paul Buhré Jr. received the title of “Appraiser at the Office of His Imperial Majesty”, allowing him to place the state coat of arms on his products and signs. The same year, the Paul Buhré Trading House became an official supplier of watches to the Imperial Court.
The pocket watch displayed at the Lipetsk Regional Museum of Local Lore is round and has a silver case, a white enamel dial, narrow hands, and a keychain. The watch features a brand of Paul Buhré. The crown is gold-plated. This watch belonged to Vladimir Dmitriyevich Ivanov (1900–1968), an army general from the Lipetsk region and native of the town of Lebedyan. Vladimir Ivanov fought on the front lines of the Russian Civil War and later graduated from the Higher Artillery School, the Frunze Military Academy, and the Military Academy of the General Staff. During the Great Patriotic War, he served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of an army. In 1945, he participated in the defeat of Japan. After the war, he held various senior positions. Vladimir Ivanov was awarded three Orders of Lenin, four Orders of the Red Banner, Orders of Suvorov and Kutuzov of the first degree, two Orders of Suvorov of the second degree, Orders of the Patriotic War of the first degree, and the Red Star. He also received two foreign orders and various medals.
The watch was donated to the museum on May 23, 1969, by the widow of General Vladimir Dmitriyevich Ivanov. Yelizaveta Ivanovna Ivanova (née Yakimova) (1916–1995) was an obstetrician, gynecologist, and a candidate of Medical Sciences. She worked at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was a doctor at the Central Polyclinic of the Ministry of Defense.
