The Russian Commander's Watch: Komandirskie 

There is currently a shortage of Komandirskie models on Amazon, but here are some classics, and other items used in the video: TimeGrapher Weishi 1000 amzn.to/30T4U8a Caseback Opening Tool and Holder amzn.to/30T55QS Rocket Forces Watch amzn.to/36ODLar Submarine Commander amzn.to/36Q3aR9 Self-Winding Tank Commander amzn.to/3ltkAHa Self-Winding KGB Watch amzn.to/3nzCNod Self-winding Paratrooper amzn.to/33Mvzpb As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchase ___ Photo Credits: -Poster of Conan the Barbarian, copyright 20th Century Fox, reduced resolution poster for fair use. -Nicholas Roerich "Guests from Overseas". From the series "Beginnings of Russia. The Slavs." 1901, public domain -Funeral of Ruthenian noble by Siemiradzki, public domain -A confrontation between mounted archers. Illustration of Rashid-ad-Din's Gami' at-tawarih. Tabriz, public domain -Mongol soldiers by Rashid al-Din 1305, public domain -Taliban border guard in Turkham, Afghanistan, public domain -Japanese D51 locomotive outside Yuzhno-Sakhalin Railway Station, Sakhalin Island, Russia. public domain -Burning T-34 tank, Russia 1941. File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F016221-0016, Russland, Brennender T-34.jpg Public Domain. -By Unknown author - www.morozov.com.ua/eng/body/history4-6.php?menu=history5.php, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2634119 ____

I'm a total addict, but after buying a new komandirskie and an amphibia, I realised what I really wanted was a soviet era (pre 1990s) watch. That was when the fun really started. Vostok, Raketa, Slava, Luch, ПОЛЕТ, Pobeda, Sekonda (British company, Russian watches). So full of history. During the '80s I bought a new Rolex, if someone gave me a Rolex now, I would sell it and buy a bunch of soviet watches. I have over 80 now, I am hooked !

Someone who likes Vostok straps? Now, that's a new one. Cheers, mate.

I found a Komandirskie paratrooper model with marked rotating bezel and radioactive lume in 1993 in a Tbilisi bazar and wore it ocean swimming, free diving, sailing, climbing, etc. for a decade before learning it wasn't the dive model. Never leaked-- a fantastic, indestructible watch that still works.

I bought an identical "tank" Vostok when I was a student about 17 years ago. I've replaced the strap more than once, the chrome is half gone and it got run over but it still goes well and I will never part with it.

I own one since half a decade, it really is the AK-47 of watches. It likes to stop every now and then despite having sufficient tension on the main spring, you just give it a good smack and it comes right back to life.

Vostok is originality and character, and that ring on the back cover is really ingenious .. It's the feeling that you're wearing something really unique with a strong character at an incredible price.

"Time will always respect and support what is strong but will turn into dust which is weak" is the Anatole France quote, if you've ever wondered.

what I love is the watch dial. I am 80 and eyesight no longer young. So a bold simple watch dial is very good. Like the font they also used. The brand I had bought through the years was "Time" because they made easy readers. Now I have ordered this same watch and should be here by Monday. I like AK ttech. No mater how used it takes the abouse.

I got mine from Meranom. It's incredible how enjoyable these watches are to wear, I have about 5 other watches 6 to 8 times more expensive and I still go to my Amphibia for my daily use.

This is a fantastic damn review really. I'm glad I found this channel. I'm tired of another channel who I will not name talking crap about Vostok so when I see something like this it [warms the heart].

I was just wondering what you meant by addictive, then I realised I own four already. oh dear it seems I have a problem.

This has to be the best and most comprehensive review of the Komandirskie, and Vostok in general. Recently discovered Vostok via some of the 'used' ones now selling on fleabay by enterprising Ukrainians, and immediately became a convert. Also appreciated all the 'trivia' you included along the way, both technical and historical, and yep, I "get" the Russian approach and overall sensibility, captured by that fittingly Darwinian motto you quote.... "Time will always respect and support that which is strong but turn to dust that which is weak." Molto Grazie!

Thanks for praising and promoting the Vostok watch in the way that you did. Hopefully people are going to see this video and purchase a new Vostok watch, thus keeping the legendary factory going for a few more decades to come. As someone who has spent a while repairing and restoring vintage Vostok's, I could argue about some of the histrionics and other details, but that would be nit picking at a great promotional video. Well Done, enjoy your Vostok for many years to come. 👍

Have exactly same watch. Purchased about 14 years ago and still going strong. Went swimming, diving used as daily beater. Didn't opened it once to clean and generally abused it. Amazing consider I paid 25$ including delivery from Russia!

Im not a watch guy but I really like your videos.I'm now also considering buying one of these for my father.

Best Komandirskie video I’ve seen. This model is available plain dial with no service logo and the one I own, now on a black/olive/black Nato.

Currently looking for my first Komanderskie watch after having recently bought an Amphibia “Scuba Dude” and now feel I have the bug. There are just so many interesting designs for the cases, bezels and dials 👍🏻

Time will always respect and support that which is strong, but turn to dust that which is weak. Best slogan ever!

I was watching this wearing my own Komandirskie (with a submarine on it) and didn't know about the bezel. Mine rotates too! Mind blown

You're lucky for having this timepiece! I bought on May this same watch in Meranom website. Due to the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on world air transport, my beautiful watch got lost at some point between Russia and my country. And that was the last thing I knew about it...

This was a great combination of background and information on the watch. The history of the people who work in the vostok factory, and then the additional perspective on the slogans of the companies was outstanding. Really enjoyed this. Signed, a new watch addict.

I have the green paratrooper dial with the same bezel and on a nato strap. I love this watch and wear it very often and it was surprisingly accurate out the box. Not a perfect watch by any means, but you really enjoy the watch and the winding etc. And it is something different than just another watch you’ve seen a billion times before. Would recommend.

Just got mine in the mail yesterday. I love it. Bought a few more that have not come yet.

Thanks for the info. I'm not a watch guy, never heard of the brand, but my friend who likes to collect watches gave me one of these yesterday. Since I knew nothing about them this video was greatly appreciated. I really like it. It's very pretty and definitely heavier than I was expecting it to be. I can't find my exact model online. He gave me the box it came in. Mine has a gold colored case and the outer numbers around the face are minutes, and a smaller inner circle in an orange brown color is the hours. So I don't know how old it is or what he paid for it. I don't have too many nicely crafted items like this in my life so it's a real treat. I will love it and cherish it for many years. Thanks again for all the info!

So good to have you back! I thoroughly enjoy your videos!

Great video. I ordered a komandirskie because I wanted to own an automatic watch and I wasn't quite certain of the quality. Thanks to your video I finally made the decision to get the watch. Haven't regretted the decision ever since

Hey man glad to see you back it's been a while I hope you're healthy and safe

Great video. Like the range of information you gave. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.

This is the best review of this watch that I have seen so far. Everyone should know what the slogan for this business. It’s pure genius, just like the watches themselves.

great video, thanks for uploading! I have five different Soviet watches and absolutely love them. i’m glad when some one knowledgeable like you talk them up, many don’t appreciate them (maybe that keeps the price down?) love your channel and keep the great uploads coming!

Regulate it. I grew up in 60’s we had a habit of checking our watches once a day when winding. Usually good enough.

Thanks for posting! I'm not a "watch guy" and don't really know much about watches in general, I usually wore a cheap Timex or whatever, but got out of the habit once we all started carrying mini computers masquerading as a telephone in our pockets. I started to lament the fact that relatively few men wear watches these days, so I decided to get back into the habit. I was looking for something a little outside the norm, with an interesting heritage that harkens back to an earlier time, but wouldn't cost too much. This knife fits the bill perfectly for me. I love older technologies, (I still shave with a two sided safety razor, for example) so the fact that this requires daily winding is actually a plus in my book!

I was looking into the Amphibia and came across your channel. Loved your review. Ordered my Amphibia straight from Russia. This watch has become my favorite watch. Wear it everyday. Komandierskie is in my future! Thanks for your channel!

Thank you for this review. It's by far the best, most complete and well-produced one on yt. I recently ordered my first Komandirskie from Ebay and was starting to get serious buyer's regret until I saw your video. I know it's a rough, all-terrain watch in which looks are not a priority, but it's far more pretty and slick piece on video than on reference pictures. Your footage and words about functionality have eased my worries surrounding this model/model family. I look forward to recieving it in the mail soon!

This channel got me into watches with your invicta video.

Just ordered mine! Great video, explaining the watch and its heritage! Thanks so much

Hey thanks so much for keeping this channel going! I really love these! Funny you mentioned the ak47. I’ve been wanting to tell about it for MY channel and by coincidence I also don’t have one but I have an SKS!

I really like your style of watch videos, you take your time to cover and the points are very interesting too. Crush your enemies!

I have a few Komandirskies and amphibias and love them all. They are excellent value for money, and some are really good for modding, ie. changing the bezel or date wheel.

I really enjoyed this video! Thank you for making it 😊

Thanks. Great video and fantastic review of the Komandirskie. Keep up the good work. And yes they, as well as the Amphibia, are very addictive. I myself own over 25 of these watches, both vintage and new.

Great review with so much info on my fave watch ! Love Vostoks and thank you for sharing!!

Very nice review. I am acquiring a few watches this year for my 60th. I have been smitten by the Steeldive range of watches and was going to get a few of those but I have decided to go for a Vostock, a Seagull 1963 and a Steeldive SD1962S (62MAS) as it is my birth year. I think this would be a much more rounded selection. I think they all are conversation starters and amazing value. Thank you so much for providing so much information.

Your Vostok amphibia video convinced me to get the scuba dude watch, and now after watching the tank Komandirsky watch, I got that as well in my collection. Kinda curious of what your Vostok watch collection looks like as even I got addicted to them now. I currently have the 120512, the Zissou, 420 case Orange scuba dude, and a blue submarine Komandirsky watch.

A true pleasure to watch to the very end and listen to as well. Great review. I love my Scuba Dude with the Pepsi Bezel. I guess I got lucky. This one is pretty darn accurate.

Really enjoyed your review of this watch. I’ve owned quite a few. Some I took apart and studied on when I was learning how to service them myself and others I’ve modded and given/sold. I still currently have four Vostoks in my collection today. Out of the four I own, the modern military issued Vostok or the Ratnik (Warrior) 6e4-1 Army model is the one I use the most today. It was previously worn by a Russian soldier during the conflict in Syria. When I got it, you can definitely see the action it’s been through. Also the flaws that lead to the development of the 6e4-2, which I also own as the Navy model. It truly is a great watch, it may not be the Omega Seamasters I once owned, but it’s a watch I can rely on everyday and if it starts to get inaccurate, just have to regulate it and go on my way. A very simple, affordable, and reliable everyday watch to own.

Great video as usual. We love your channel. Thank you !

I remember seeing a similar Soviet watch in the early 90s...I think it had a submarine on it and I cheaped out and didn't spend the 25 bucks at the junk shop on the pier in Seattle. Always regretted it.

Fantastic, in-depth video! I just got my first Vostok, a classic Amphibia Neptune model, so it's great to see such enthusiam for this particular watchmaking tradition

Great job! Very thorough and detailed explanation of all the features!

Great job! Thank you. The case back design is brilliant. Love it

You have a nice voice, you speak well and your video was full of useful information. You know what you're talking about. Good video my man.

Very nice review and explanation of how to adjust the time. Thank you!!

Thanks, excellent video. I saw your amphibia video and liked it so much I ordered my first Vostok, the identical watch on your video and love it. It’s so comfortable on the official Vostok mesh strap from Meranom. Hoping you do some more videos on various classic Vostok models!

Good video thanks. I love my unique black dial, 200m WR, 24 hour Vostok Komandirskie, running about 10s fast daily start from the box.

I don't know why but I am falling in love with these antique watches

Thanks for a great video once more! I hope that more people find your channel. I should deserve many more viewers. Keep on the good work!

Fantastic vid. Very informative and concise. Thank you!

Having a few komandirskies and amphibias, I would definately recommend paying extra to get an amphibia as it is usually much better objectively than the extra dollars charged.

That's a very detailed and informative review. Thanks so much.

My OCD made me cringe, lol, when you put the case back cover on without cleaning off the hair particle stuck to the watch rubber o ring. Great video and it explains the watch very well, thank.

Great information and putting this watch in proper historical context.

Bravo! Very nice review of legendary watch. My father was officer in soviet army and this watch was dream for all boys like me!)

your videos are so much better and more interesting that the big watch channels on here

I own an AK-47, and the comparison is perfect. I'm getting the Signal Commander version for Christmas and can't wait to wear it. My family thinks I'm strange for liking oddball watches, but understands that I'm a watch nerd. Great video, thanks for the information.

I had to get one these... I must confess they're probably my fave go-to watch for field work!

Thanks for the great video, recently I bought one too and I just couldn’t figure out the winding part, to unscrew the crown, learning here. Anyway great video. Many thanks.

Thank you for this video,I own three of these and have now regulated them as you demonstrated.....it worked I am very pleased with these interesting little watches and wear them a bit more, thanks

Nicely done review. I especially appreciate the tip on telling valid from fake copies. JT

Fantastic review! Thank you! Great video!

Just bought my first Vostok Amphibia. I also looked at exactly this model (same dial same case etc). It’s addictive so many to choose from :-D

Great video as always. Thanks.

Very good review of the Vostok watch. Have one ordered now and I feel I now have the knowledge to adjust the time keeping if it is off.

Great Review. Love these little watches brilliant !

I got mine on the first of Feb. I just love it. And thanks to you I now know the rest of the story.

I really enjoyed this review! Thank you!

Very good review/info👍. I'm a vostok fan. Just got my first Vostok amphibia (scuba dude) new subscriber. Cool rifle 😎

Great informative review! Thank you!

Thank you so much . Very informative and helpful .

Umm OK, the original 1960's watch was the 350 swing lugged Amphibian watch which was followed by what became known as the 1967 for Amphibia's and Vostok introduced on a new 2234 calibre movement the Commander aka the Komandirskie and this was in the early seventies whilst Vostok's Amphibia's became the 090 cased watches. Both were manual. The modern Komandirskie didn't appear until the end of the 70's in a selection of different shaped cases and shells with the addition to the chromed brass of titanium nitride plated brass cases and bezels. The date complicated 2234 was dropped for the brand new 2214A dated movement, losing second hand hacking the 2234 had. To help these sell, Vostok began printing regimental and other military art on the dials of the Komandirskie but very unlikely that serving soldiers would have worn such except on leave. Amphibia's had evolved into several case types as well as the new Ministry of Defence issued 710 cases built using aspects of the secretive 300m dive build on the rare 119 Amphibia's which brought about the wider 22mm lugs modern Vostok's enjoy. The new cases for Amphibia saw the new 2416 and 2415 automatic movements for the first time, the classification 420 Amphibia is purely a dive watch spec Komandirskie dial in an Amphibia round case gaining the same dive capabilities of the other Amphibia's but with the majority of the artwork Komandirskie dials. Vostok still supply the Ministry of Defence watches known as the "Ratnik" which is a non ferrous Amphibia 060 case in brown matte PVD, lumed dive bezel in the same brown PVD and very bright lume markings on the dial, with the optional camouflage arm patch attached to the strap, full automatic and same depths as other Amphibia's, super super tough version highly sought after by us Soviet and Russian collectors. Komandirskies had sub types of Admiralskie and Generalskie which had special dial designs to reflect such, the whole concept of what a field watch was, is that it could survive anything a soldier had to endure such as rain, swimming across a river, rolling in mud and due to the inclusion of the screw down crown on these low end models saw the Komandirskie survive abuse no other mass produced watch could match at that time. The Amphibia's 200m is what Vostok "certifies" or guarantees the watch will work under without problem, in fact the Amphibia regularly survived to depths of 800m before failure during mock submarine rescue exercises but this could not be guaranteed 100% so stayed with 200m with the understanding of "may do better". A word too on the auto movements is they are like everything Vostok, utterly modular sharing a great many common parts with its base 2414A, Vostok movements can fit pretty much any adult Vostok case hence why you will see where someone has upgraded a manual winder with a 15 or 16 auto as it simply fits without modification. Poljot, Raketa and Slava also for the Soviet MoD contract produced Amphibians, Poljot Amphibian's are also highly sought out by collectors and were considered very high quality compared to the mass produced Vostok's but Poljot could not break the arrangement Vostok had with the Russian government hence why there are millions of Amphibia's but hardly any Amphibians out there.

I enjoy the way your reviews are like an episode of Frontline or some sort of PBS doco

Great review. Thank you for your effort.

Very good video! Very informative. I was given one as a gift by my uncle when he came from Russia. Mechanical, I've used it daily and it runs fine. All original parts still as made back in the 80s. Now I've swam with it (when falling into a lake after a few too many) it's been bashed, whacked about, been rained on and submerged. Covered in mud then cleaned. Still winds and runs fine to this day. Am a big fan of it and whether it runs or not later, my son can have it and have our connection to the country and family too.

Thanks for the video. I have been looking for a tough field style mechanical and automatic watch. I know I came to the game late. Found two I liked on Amazon, . I ordered one of them in March. it sat in Russian Customs until I canceled the order a couple of weeks ago. Found another couple that didn't have quite all the features I wanted but they were inside my country. They arrive tomorrow.

After got the opportunity of buying things online, I wonder if I could purchase some Russian made products, for emotional reasons, as link to be aware of what I know of the turbulent history of Russia and the fact that never thought possible the USSR will fall in my lifetime as a witness of their choice to be part or the free world once again, sort of. The most loved things to me that was made in the USSR were electronic calculators and transistor radios. After I examined those I felt the simplicity, robustness and precision of those devices and as I discovered later that they made time pieces too. Very well made for the price you paid for my Vostok Komandirskie. My Komandirskie is the best watch I ever had, because of all those things about Russia and is a very real, practical, unpretending piece of machinery that fill its purpose well. Thank you for the history and technical details.

I want to collect these base model Komandirskies like baseball cards. I have one on the way (my first), but may order a couple more before the first arrives. I'd also like one of their automatics, but at double the price they just aren't quite as "gotta catch 'em all" for me. There's just something about a mechanical watch for under $40 that makes me want to fill my case with them. :-)

My amphibia typically runs a minute fast by the end of the day but sometimes it'll be a minute fast and then go back to right on time. Then I'll have days where it's bang on all day! Regardless I love this watch

AKs are plenty accurate when properly sighted in and somalis aren't firing them

I am an amateur watch collector. I collect what I like and what is affordable for me. I don't buy for investment. I currently have Armitron, Casio, Citizen, Timex. I hope to add Vostok this year. 👍 on your review.

Excellent video, I subscribed and fyi I went with a submarine instead of the tank! I also have a "Scuba Dude" and 2 other Amphibia's also a 70's vintage Raketa. Again great video!

As a UPS driver, I feel like this watch was made for me. Just ordered one!

I got mine 211186 model of vostok a month ago. I pretty love it.

Great review! Bought one with an EMERCOM dial on Amazon after watching.

Incredibly in-depth video!

Just bought one from the official factory in Russis and now I see this nice revieuw. Great revieuw it is.

I've always thought it's weird that they only have a 20m water resistance, seeing as they have the screw-down crown and case-back, along with a pretty large gasket. I have a spare Komandirskie that had an issue when it arrived, so I removed the movement and dial, placed a piece of paper in the case and then submerged it under water for 48hrs. After 2 days, the paper is dry and no water seems to have penetrated the case. I think I'll do the same test again while wearing the watch on my wrist and see how it holds up under real swimming conditions.

My Polish friend grew up in the bad old days. The Vostok was famous in the Warsaw Pact, gaining the appellation "Fastest Watch in USSR".

Very informative. Two thumbs up.

Great episode! Thank you. The package is shockingly "crude" though ... I thought it was a staples package.