Bargain $80 Vostok GMT! Komandirskie 650539 

Wore this watch through flight training, pipeline patrol and into my first airline job. Great watch.

This channel has changed my whole thinking on what true value is and how clever marketing makes people part with their money just so that tennis players endorsing their products can pick up their £5million...Even as a working dad on a working dad's wage I can truly enjoy watch collecting and ownership with some pride and without spending crazy bucks. Not saying a Brietling wouldn't be nice to own though😜

This was my first Vostok less than a year ago and I’ve bought 10 more Vostoks since

There was a young man from Rostock Who wanted to buy a nice Rolex He went into a branch, but they said there's no chance So he ended up buying a Vostok

I can't believe it, but this watch (that I just got from Meranom), is keeping time this first week like a quartz watch! Unbelievable. Thank you for the recommendation. I have the mesh strap on it, so comfortable, and it looks like a formidable military 'tank.'

My first Vostok. First impressions weren’t great. My view to buying this watch was if I don’t like it I will sell it on. In fact I tried really hard to not like it. But once out of the box and with one of my NATO’s on it and yeah. I like it a lot. 👍

I believe I watched almost all the videos...tuned from SOMALIA...🇸🇴 thank you JOMW!

One of the most best watched reviewer in RU-vid. Thumbs up

The waterproofing engineering that went into vostoks designs is complete genius I don’t understand why more companies don’t do the same. The two piece ringed caseback allows the watch to become more watertight as pressure is applied to it as the caseback plate seats deeper into the gasket. Same with the crystal. I dont know at what depth it would fully fail but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s much greater than 200m

Love my Red Sea. Same movement as this. Was running at +40 seconds per 24 hours which I got down to +6 which easily matches my more expensive watches. Great value.

I recently bought the same 650539 in the same configuration (additional mesh bracelet). I only can say it is GREAT value for money! It looks cool and essential (I sincerely can’t stand date on dials), feels rough and strong, keep the time sufficiently fine and is become immediately one of my favorites. Now two more russians are on their way to my house, should I say more? 😎

478 videos of great value watch content from everyone's favourite Scot/Aussie. As for the watch. It's looks pretty good. I need to try out some Vostoks at some point.

I want to thank you, I was a bit of a watch snob you however have taught me to value the others out there and the micro brands have been an eye opener. If I can get over the ‘well I do have xyz watch’ I will actually take one out and not round home tours!! Please keep it up and again thanks Kindest Bob

I have two Vostoks. I love them. This may be my third. I also love acrylic crystals. Scratches can be so easily removed and I feel acrylic gives the nicest distortion.

I love Vostocks. I have four of them. Now, maybe one more.

My father love this watch so much he even ditched his G-shock & seiko sarb.I ask why he dont wear those watchs anymore.He said this vostok make him feel like a terminator.He beat hell of this watch & he even dont worry about it.$80 for a durable watch.Its unrival

Thanks for wearing the Texas Christian University tee shirt Go Horn Frogs!

JOMW : this is the best value Komandirskie you can get. Also JOMW: you can't get it.

You had this one on prior and I promptly ordered one with the mesh a few months ago, love love love it! Thanks!!

Wow. I just got mine (was lucky to check the meranom once there was a short restock) and I have to say you did not praise that watch enough. IMHO for the price it is remarkable how crisp the dial is and how consistent is the design. Ditch the bracelet, put it on ruberr or on engineered bracelet from Ali and you have a great conversation piece. It has a real cool&unique factor combined with just stunning quality for price. Yes it has rough edges but it is what it is and that's great.

After your last movie, I immediately bought this watch with an accessory mesh strap, and I still can't get over, how many offer in this watch for so little, an amazing watch.

Coincidentally I ordered an Amfibia Classic last week from Meranom. Strangely, their mobile website was significantly cheaper than their desktop website! Around £50 on the mobile site delivered vs about £70 on the desktop site. Looking forward to playing with it.

I got this one a week ago directly from Moscow. It is my 4. Vostok. The other ones, all Amphibias, I got in 1989, when a new one costs 30 Deutsch Mark, in our days about 15$. They are working great and I still like them very much. The new GMT has nearly the same movement. I like it. A Rolex couldn‘t be better 😃.

Glad to see you still have your other Vostok's from previous videos. i have 4 of them and love to mod them often!

I kept the bracelet and was surprised how comfortable it was. This particular bracelet is the best of the folded ones from Vostok.

Thanks to all the comrades who buy Vostok. This is one of the few companies in the USSR that survived the new era of brutal capitalism 🤔

I have far too many inexpensive watches, but the best value among them are: 1) 1963 Seagull PLAAF chrono. 2) Parnis Auto GMT. 3) Vostok Scuba Dude. This is right up there with them so, I may need one. Damnit, here we go again. It's probably good that Meranom closed right now. Good review, Jody.

I love the size and feel of my amphibia, picked it up for 20 dollars last time in russia, its a pretty modded old watch and I think its really neat with a rounded off bezel in my case, makes it slip easily under a cuff, like to use it as a beater along with my casios. I keep it on the scratched up bracelet that came with it, sure it pulls the hairs on the arms. It wants to see if youre tough enough to wear it.

Out of all your watch videos this is the one that catches my attention the most. I bought that model along with a 24 hour model that has a black bezel. I didn’t get the mesh straps yet though. Maybe later.

Hey Jody, great video as always. I purchased one of these Vostoks about a year ago. An old school GMT for that price, I just had to check it out. Unfortunately I only had the watch for about a month when the small seconds had fell off. I kept the watch in my rotation until the crown separated from the movement and hand winding no longer worked. I will take it apart at some point and see what I can do to fix it but you never know what the quality is going to be with these types of watches. Additionally I have the Parnis GMT , also over a year old , and so far no problem with that one. Keep up the great work sir. Cheers!

I got it almost two years ago: incredible solid watch at a very low price. Great review!

Great video Jody i have 2 vostoks now both amphibia and both modded . Found them to be very solid and reliable and i love the old Soviet look of submarines and Chernobyl etc . Cant wait for the top 20 video and the time when these gmt's are back in stock!

These are by FAR my favorite vostok design. I'm not a huge fan of many of their dials which has held me off from grabbing one. But this... this is entirely my speed. I wish they had more field/pilot style watches in their sub 100$ us line because I really do dig their stuff. I want to get one of these and maybe try my hand at copper plating the case. I think that would be pretty unique looking. I love the passion and lack of pretentiousness in your vids Jody, by far one of my favorite watch channels.

Stainless steel is always better than plated brass. And if I can't get sapphire, I'd rather have acrylic than mineral glass. Thanks for the video!

I bought one of the vostok 24 hour kamandirskie. It came with a divers bezel but I bought a 24 hour bezel and flipped it out. Works great as a GMT watch and the 24 dial gives it some character

Great review of a really amazing bang for buck piece. 200Metre Diver GMT for $80! Out of it! I like the layout of the dial, especially the small seconds subdial at 10, and the markings on the dial are great. Wonder if these could be modded with decent lumed hands and a fully lumed bezel? Then it would be super hot!

Picked up an Amphibia as my first Vostok which arrived yesterday. Just wanted to say what a great shout the mesh strap was. Despite only hearing bad things about the stock bracelet I was still shocked by how cheap and nasty it felt. The mesh on the other hand is a dream, thanks for the recommendation, Jody!

Got me a K 350503 last November and I love it. Even the toady leather faux croc strap. Great watch. My favorite so far.

I sold my Helm Vanuatu after the paint started falling out of the optional steel bezel after a few months. I picked up one of these with the profit. I already much prefer it! Authentic, well made, fun👌👍

Nice watch, nice review. I recently bought an amphinian 170 with a sandwich dial and i really enjoy it. All amphibians ( even the vintage ones ) were made of steel though. It was part of the spec for the new dive watch. The only exception are the bezels and some crowns.

There are a few of these Komandirskie offerings that easily rival what can be had from a basic Amphibia at the same price. Check out 650541 for a 24hr movement or a 020706 for a nod to one of the soviet classics.. both of which are in my collection and in my opinion two of the best dials available on a modern Vostok outside of the more expensive SE range. Always nice to see Jody acquiring more Vostoks and sharing in video, Thanks!

Jody, thanks to your reviews I started with a Vostok Neptune SE, after that nice watch I bought the standard versions to mod them and now I’m waiting to make a GMT using the komandiskie 24 hours changing his nice bezel with a GMT Batman one... and I will continue changing also the case, after all I will create my favorite Vostok. I love these watches!!!!

Great review! I have an Amphibia Neptune with the stock bracelet and it has never pinched a hair once in a year of ownership

I love your intro, it's so energetic and positive!

Jody's timing is scary. This week i finished my first fully custom built Vostok Amphibia GMT ♥

Got mine last week. A lot of people around the world are having pandemic related delivery problems from Russia but if you are in Europe it will only take about 3 - 4 weeks. It's the same case as the amphibia 670 but a brushed finish. Mine is running at about +5 seconds a day so pretty good. Bracelet is actually not bad by Vostok standards but I put mine on a super engineer. GMT function works very well as per the original Rolex design and no date makes it an excellent choice as a grab and go automatic. A great watch for £65 delivered.

Gosh, I thought you'd done this one already! Great watch. My favourite Vostok case too - I think!

I managed to ruin my Vostok by trying to adjust the time from the internal levers after I had done all the upgrades[ besel, crown dial,brushing etc ], now iam thinging to buy a new one instead of take it for repair.and start over lol,cheers man keep up.

Thanks to your video... Finally i bought one and i am loving it... The vostok watches have character and thats what entices me into buying them.

I bought one of these back in June last year. Have it on a rubber strap. Rough as guts and it’s awesome lol

I just got one of these and have it on my wrist as I type. In two days it's kept almost perfect time...within a couple seconds according to the computer time and after a reasonable break-in I'll put it on the timing machine and see how close it really is. The stock band seems to be fine once it's tweaked a little....the clasp wouldn't lock securely as delivered but a little attention with a pair of pliers (it IS Russian after all...got to treat it like man) and it locks down tightly and is comfortable. Only had to take one link out and move the anchor pin one hole to the middle position for a perfect fit. Going to dull the sharp edges with a stone in the next few days...nothing radical just put a bit of a bevel on them which will make the watch very friendly to the hands. The rotating bezel did trigger my OCD a little but I found a very thin black viton O-ring that fits around the bottom and snugs it down enough that it won't turn on it's own but is still easily adjusted. Got to say I'm loving the watch and have often found Russian engineering to be first rate...very clever and intelligent people over there and while you might be giving up a little 'sophistication' in some eyes there's no denying that they build things 'Strong like Bull'.

After i recently bought an amphibia i really enjoy it and the story behind them. Just found this komandirski and bought it. Cant wait

Got the 24 hr. version. Great fun trying to figure out what time it is. Also, put it back on the original bracelet. It goes well with this diesel satellite of a watch.

The small dial for the second hand could be in the ten o'clock position as a nod toward the WW2 Russian military watches.

Great video as always Jody!!! A gmt for under $100 is incredible!

OMG!!! you're wearing a horned frog shirt!! I'm also a horned frog and watch enthusiast :D

Love Vostoks, i have two. One Neptune GMT modded into a 120 case, brushed top with polished sides, pepsi bezel and glass caseback (ruski tudor bb lmao), and then a standard movement in the neptune case which i use as my beater. have had that thing with me in the pool, freezing cold rivers in the Vic High Country, working on cars and while doing other hands-on type stuff at work - it even had water ingress after i forgot to tighten the caseback properly and 1.5 yrs later is still running strong. I cant kill the bloody thing. If you want a budget watch that has horological significance, a Vostok is certainly the way to go! Moreover, modding adds to their charm and you can get something truly unique, which cant be said of many other brands (at least in the eyes of the purists). Also have an Orient Ray II with sapphire crystal + ceramic bezel/submariner style bezel and yet both Vostoks still get a significant amount of wrist time.... Love em.

I have this exact Vostok. Bough just before the pandemic hit. I absolutely love it. It’s my work watch and daily beater. I adjusted and monitored the timekeeping and it’s now as accurate as my Rolex Explorer. The lume is clearer than the Explorer, easier to read.

I quite like that case shape. This is one of the favourites I've seen, some of the special edition amphibians at nice too but too expensive.

Meranom is awesome and makes watch collecting so much fun. A huge catalog of OEM parts to order to individualize your watch from the get-go, what’s not to love? (Besides the shipping time….)

I got a real nice looking white dial kommanderskie that is an amphibia style 42mm 200m screwback. The crown broke in a few weeks. Still works fine just cant wind and have 2 set rime an date with a leatherman

I own this watch and love it. Mine has the red paint on the bezel triangle instead of being lumed. I would have liked it lumed though.

I have a 24 our dial with the bezel from this komandirskie, and now I have a double 24 hour for a GMT and 24 dial! GOT THE IDEA FROM YOU JOMW!

Boom you hit the nail on the head with this one -a fantastic Vostok option. Previously the blue-green one with the scuba man was perhaps the most attractive one. Oh if it were sapphire....!

I have a Girard Perregaux Seahawk 2 Pro that has a 10 o'clock offset small seconds as the standard 6 o'clock slot is taken up with a rather large power reserve indicator.

That’s the watch available ordered a mess strap as well saying 1/2 months delivery, bought a Komandirskie 30th April arrived two days ago here in Scotland so hopefully a wee bit quicker delivery.

Great job on your videos and reviews mate, lovely job👍👍

I'd not mind it being more kitch. Quite a looker. I am intrigued to try their mesh straps. Still odd they didn't give this a whole new name.

I've watched most of them, all entertaining. So yeah, thank you!

These are back in stock at meranom. Just ordered one at $74 with store discount and watchuseek coupon. Current delivery to UK is approximately 3 to 4 weeks so the wait is on.👍

Just bought one for $80. Absolutely love it on a black NATO. Thanks for the reference!!!!

Jody, Thank you for returning to watch buying for cheapskates! I have two Vostok watches (an Amphibia from the 1960s and a new Komandierski from the factory) and just gave my third (a 1970s Komandierski) to my nephew. That one I owned for 15 years, used it as a field watch and after some polywatch it looked like new, well sorta new. As you said - fantastic, basic, tick tock watches for the people. I will never buy a Rolex (I’m just too cheap to own a watch worth more than my Jeep), but I can’t say I won’t buy another Vostok! Thanks for the video!

I have one, it’s absolutely fantastic, I thoroughly recommend it. It’s much nicer than the regular Amphibian (which I also have) and looks TERRIFIC on a brown leather strap too.

Great watch I have kept it on original bracelet since i have amfibia on mash strap already. Insane value for the money

I have this one. It's been in my collection for about a year now. Great watch

Nice TCU shirt! The Horned Frogs are are our local team so I was glad to see the love. You’ve talked me into a couple of watches so far, but I’m still afraid of the Vostok. Credit to your skills though, I’m almost there.

Really enjoying your work. Awesome wall clock too.

Thanks Jody! I just bought three more Vostoks 😂

They do 24h dials on these. Theres one reference (030936) has applied markers and a really cool compass bezel. With a GMT bezel on, itd be a stunner. Would have bought it but it was a little big for me at 42mm

Bought a g shock 5600 to replace another watch that broke after a decade of use. Now have a vostok k coming. $40 classic watch

Excellent video.. i cant wait to order one. What clever piece of heritage and engineering!! Does this movement have the shock resistant balance?

You are a true gentleman. Thanks for the entertaining review!

Just bought this Vostok ..... Superb. Bracelet isn't too bad either. All in all highly I recommend.

Well Jody,what a coincidence.I just ordered the Komandirskie 020711 about three days ago and it's already on the way.Same 200m resistance and a two tone dial i really like,should be with me by june.............

The one I really want as of right now at this moment is the Amphibian Classic 670921. Because 1.) It doesn't come with a bracelet, 2.) It doesn't have color so it's pretty versatile with different attire (which is one of the top things I look for before buying a new watch), 3.) Has a date complication (which is also one of the top things I look for before buying a new watch), 4.) Has a stainless steel case, 5.) Has 200M of water resistance, 5.) It's only $75, 6.) And it still has the Vostok charm!

I just bought a Mini Turtle after watching your review and it’s the nicest diver I’ve ever owned (and I‘ve owned a lot of them). Keep up the good work 👍🏻

Horned Frogs? Lol...my Alma Mater is a rival (Kansas State University), but they have same colors, so you’re almost a fan...lol. Congrats on 478...love your videos and how you cover EVERYTHING! And I love that GMT wall clock! Want one! 👍🏻 Keep up the great work, and look forward to the next 478!

I got my Amphibia on a rubber strap and was surprised how nice it is. The only issue could be that it is long. I have a 7 1/4 inch wrist and I am on the second to last hole. If you have small wrists it probably won't work.

Thanks Jody. I ordered one of these. Also sourced and ordered the oem mesh bracelet. All your fault😂😉

Well I have finally done the act (a while back actually) and it’s all down to you Jody. I have on my wrist and have been out in public wearing it (oh yes I have!!) and it’s a £13 watch from Ali Express plus delivery and it seems to be £27 now. It’s a Forsinning (ever reviewed one?) and I love it, a £13 no name, no brag, no aspirational watch yet I truly love it, I am a changed man Jody and all down to you, thanks Bob PS: this gratitude won’t stop me praising and critiquing in equal measure !

Great video and watch! You have to look after hamm factory watches from Germany. I think they could be a bargain. High beat movement, Saphire, sandwich dial, and all under 450euro.

Thanks Jody another great review. Stay safe. Greetings from AZ USA.

An update about my order. I ordered mine on May 30, 2020 and it arrived on Aug 17. 2020 to BC Canada. I ordered exactly what Jodi did. If I can redo the order again, I would choose the rubber strap model so can have one more useful strap. The mesh strap is very sharp looking on wrist. The bazel is big thick and eye catching. I cant believe I can own a GMT watch❣

Finally a rather weather beaten pigeon with a distinctive Russian accent arrived on my doorstep bearing one of these. I absolutely love it! The lume on mine for some reason seems to last through the night (on the hands and bezel). Mine is second hand (though it looks brand new) and came with a leather strap that actually looks more expensive than the watch! I love the unique placement of the sub seconds dial at 10 O'clock The assymetrical look of this reminds me of the layout design of old school Doxa divers as the Doxa Logo was at 10 o'clock. Thinking of obtaining a clear back display from ebay...

As you can't adjust the GMT hand it is not really needed. If they had just fitted a bezel with 12 hours on it you could turn it until it lines up with appropriate hour on the normal hour hand .

Vostok! This watch is incredible. I have the 960972, Neptune Amphibian, but, a) you have to buy special adapters for the band and b) it’s movement came a little dodgy... Just the one I got. Surprisingly, the bracelet is wearable, just low quality stamped. It hasn’t ripped hardly any hairs out! Great watches though. I plan to get a scuba dude next!

I love this case. I bought the 24H some months ago. Just a f*cking stainless steel beast.

Jody, Brilliant spec for the money. Hooked on Vostok now thanks to your reviews. Luv my Amphibia scuba dude as much as my Doxa Sub. 😎

Vostoks are damn beautiful time pieces.

Hi the Vostok case back is designed to compress under pressure and with out putting any stress on the rubber seal