In 2009 Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin handed over his expensive Blancpain watch to a Russian factory worker. Viktor Zagaevsky, a metalworker at the arms factory in the Russian town of Tula became the lucky one to own Putin’s watch. After Vladimir Putin delivered a speech on the economy in the town, Viktor Zagaevsky asked the Prime Minister to present him with something he would keep as a memory about the meeting. He added he had two sons, and one of them was a military sailor. Mr Putin seemed stunned by the unexpected request and gestured he actually had nothing to give. Yet he asked the metalworker what he wanted. The answer was, "Maybe your watch."

Following a short pause, the Prime Minister handed his watch over. Apparently he realized he couldn't refuse in the circumstances.

The price of the Blancpain watch is about 5,500 Euros, the sum that actually equals to annual income of an average Russian. The watch is not gold or platinum.

Mr Putin is known to be fond of fine Swiss watches. He usually wears his wristwatch on his right hand.

The most expensive watch that has been spotted on Vladimir Putin’s wrist is a Patek Philippe watch estimated for 35,000 Euros.

A few months ago Mr Putin "spontaneously" handed over his wristwatch to an impoverished shepherd's son in Siberia.