They are amazing watches. I am a mechanical design engineer, and I can recognise the design as an engineering solution rather than a watchmaker’s solution. They thought it through and came up with the smartest, simplest solutions. They are also such pretty watches, with a unique look. And the quality is good, too! I have two already and I am getting more. I just can’t fault them.
I own around 40 watches, all less than $700. Five are Vostoks, and you're right, I thought my first one had a broken crown. Compared to other water resistant watches it's a brilliant design with all three normal weak spots handled in a unique and, in fact, superior method. I have polished their crystals and with a only a little effort, they look all look brand spanking new. Worth every penny, they're decent watches.
Ah now some watch dealers allow financing for very fancy watches. At under $100 easy you don't have to go into debt with a Swiss Fancy pants watch. Proud to be an American and have a Russian watch in my collection. Thanks for the history and the engineer design insight. They are not going to win beauty contests but they are exotic beauties. I love my watches and now truly appreciate the Vostock brand. Very well done presentation.
Great video, most people when they see the price tag of the Amphibia immediately think that there must be something wrong with it for it to be so cheap, but in truth most watch companies have presenal profit in mind when setting a price, Vostok on the other hand is just providing amazing timepieces for what they are truly worth, good on you Vostok and in my humble opinion the Amphibia kicks any Rolex Submariners ass any day of the week.
I own two Vostok watches! One is the Amphibia 090916/2415b movement. And the second one I own is a Komandirskie 650541(24 hours) dial, 2431 movement. These are tough and rugged watches for the money. Greetings from So. Florida, U.S.A.!🌴🌞🌴🐊
Awesome vid. I recently purchased my Vostok amphibia with the scuba dude and the 710 cushion case. Truly incredible piece. I own 2 Hamilton’s and a Tag, but I find myself going back to this simple little watch. The ingenuity, the history, and the unique design really gets me. It’s a part of history, and typically to possess a historically significant watch, you are looking at multiple hundreds/ thousands of dollars. Wild. Every time I check the time and see my scuba dude I smile.
Vostok lover my self, I own a Vostok Partner and a couple of hand wind. I have just received today a Komanderski 24 hour dial auto for $81 delivered. Good luck with the channel.
An amazing watch in an amazing video. I am UK based and just bought my first dive watch, a diver dude from Moscow! This video has just made me even more pleased than I was once the watch had been posted. Can't wait to receive it, can't wait to mod it. Hats off to you sir 👌
I have just opened the box of my Vostok Amphibia ( 120658 ). It is a real delight to me and I feel the mood of having a real watch apart from Swiss or any other Japanese brands which stands out with its own culture, history and technology behind it... A real tough timepiece...
I wish more people understood the purpose of the acrylic crystal. Seems everyone is so set in requiring sapphire on everything. It is a good material I don’t disagree but the acrylic in these vostoks is significantly more structurally integral than most of not all sapphire crystals. It serves a very specific and unique purpose while also being cheap to manufacture & very easy to polish. It’s such a genius design that has been overlooked in my opinion.
I have several Amphibia watches. I love them. I bought one for my dad and he loves it too. Great value for the money and durable too. I bought two of them for $140 and they came in excellent packaging. One recommendation is to replace the watch band with a shark mesh type band.
I just want to say I started playing this video on my lunch break and I truly enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to make this. Just ordered one based off your video!!
Always loved the design of Vostoks, but never knew the history and design details until now! Brilliant video, and makes me want to pick one up even more now!
As a engineer, you really learn to appreciate this watch. The history is so rich, i love your video because you fully understand as an engineer the feature that this watch is. Thank you
They're truly amazing watches. I have 10 which I have modified to my preference. I really appreciate the technical brilliance and simplicity that goes into these remarkable watches. I routinely use my orange and black 420 scuba dude for diving in tandem with my dive computer. Suffice to say the watch has been faultless. I am addicted to them and will continue to expand my collection. Great video my friend. Please do more 😊
Thanks for that review, very interesting ! Vostok became my favorite watch brand with the 1967 diver. This is now my everyday watch for 2 years, never bored wearing it...
I’ve been a big fan of Vostok watches for years now (indeed I’m wearing one now). They are superb value for money, and there is a large range to choose from. Let us not forget the Vostok Komandirskie models also, very good watches, I love to mod all these watches.
I have the 24hr dial Vostok with date and love it just the way it is,the bezel is perfect for the watch,I put it on a tan leather NATO and it looks and feels awesome. The Lume on it when in the dark is very decent. Great watch,great value and will buy another one soon the Scuba dude model I'm thinking. Thanks for the video,very informative!
I have a couple in my collection and they are very interesting watches as long as you change out the crap bracelets. Mine keep good time, +5s static and +/-30 on the wrist for one of them, I haven't tested the other one. This is comparable to many high quality Swiss watches. But as a collector and looking at value, the list for these watches is impressive. You get an in-house movement of industrial (rather than exceptional) quality which will run for many years without fuss. You get a very interesting horological history. A seriously functional dive watch. A great conversational piece. Yes they are cheap, but I sit them proudly next to my Swiss beauties, no problem
I have the 'Radiator' Model. More than 10 Years & still in good working condition. Except I changed it to Maroon Leather Cuff Watch Strap.Regards from Singapore,SE Asia.
Crystal clear ! Lucky I ordered mine in 2021. Why and how do similar watches fetch much higher prices ? Marketing cost is the main reason(nable) why, marketing power is how, and profit is what justifies it.
Great video, thanks. Seiko was using that type of two-piece caseback on its first waterproof watches in the early 1960s, though. The Seiko Cronos J13046 for example.
Those Seiko’s are cool, but the two piece case backs predates even Vostok’s use. Soviet watches such as Majak 40 from the mid 50’s also used this. There are even earlier models with rather odd two piece designs also. I couldn’t find any consensus on who actually invented it. But it does look quite perfected in Vostok’s models - very durable.
Do not buy one,you'll end up broke,due to the huge collection you will end up will.Mine keeps better time than some of ones that cost 8 times the price. There are some great additional add on items you can buy,bezels ,straps etc. Brilliant watch. Thanks for sharing this great video.Now looking for another.
I bought the red scuba dude on black face. I added the flat Seiko style black/ red bezel and put it on a black and red striped nato. I love it. I also bought a Komandierski with red dial and bezel. I put that on a red and white striped nato and that looks great too. I paid about £50 for each. Absolute bargain.
Let me tell you what you did. I owned two Vostoks. They are an interesting part of my collection. Like you, I respect the ability to make something great with almost nothing to work with. So, yeah, I had a Scuba Dude and a 24 hour Kommandirski. Notice I spoke in the past tense there. I HAD two Vostoks. Then I came across your video, and it just reminded me of my Vostoks and why I dig them. THEN...I popped over to Amazon and saw them going for 55 bucks. Long story short, now I own THREE Vostoks. Haha...you're killing me, bro. ***To all not familiar with these watches, and thinking of adding them to your collection: BUY a $5.00 tube of Poly Watch on the same day you buy a Vostok. That acrylic glass is neat, and it has a function in the waterproofing of the watch...but it scratches if you sneeze near it. It is easy to buff out, but if you let all of the little scratches compound...it will look horrible after some time.
I got my Suba Dude regulated to +- 5 seconds and it is one of the most comfortable watches I own. Super easy to regulate and a great overall design. It has some quirks, like the date setting, but for the price, hard to beat. The unique waterproof design allows care free swimming and diving. BTW, I have become a fan of acrylic crystals after discovering poly watch. There are some unique advantages to acrylic in the waterproofing and it has a unique look and feel. The only thing I changed was a strap. The original rubber strap was a little thick for my taste. Put a nice premium silicone strap from Barton and it will wear like a champ.
I currently own 2 Amphibia, and 2 Komandirskys. 3 of mine could be considered 'Vintage' or old / worn / battered LOL. They are certainly reliable, and just keep going forever, although the accuracy isn't what I'd consider good....Borderline inadequate at about + - 2 mins per day! They ARE great value for money, can't deny that!
Thanks for the vid. Used an Amphibia for 5 years. About a year ago the automatic started letting me down. The mechanical rewind has been tried to limited effect and as the winding does not tighten up as on the mechanical it is disconcerting. Left it with the watchman for a while but without opening up he could not ascertain a fault! Wondering if this is common issue with an easy fix (cleaning?). Thoughts would be appreciated.
Easily the best video in English on this watch. I was browsing the various options and it seems like customs are some of the most beautiful. Your sail dial and Pepsi bezel is a stunner. Which bezel are you using with solid colours in some of the previous images. They are also very nice.
I really love automatic watches, but can't bring myself to pay what the big brands demand for their products. This is fantastic though. I love the rugged simplicity of military watches too. Think I'm gonna have to pick one of these things up.
i have an amphibia and it's definitely one of a kind. the thing that is quite pesky is that the day/date quick adjust method is far from being quick. 😂
1:14 If you dont mind, is that bezel the stock one? I have an Amfibia that would be perfect for. It came with a sort of chintzy looking shiny one. If you got that bezel to add to the watch, where did it come from? Or maybe its just sold that way.
Uff, I understand their emotional value for you. My gradfather bought and wore a Zenith which my father wore until he also passed away, now it's mine and it's priceless.
Just bought one of these. Like everything else after COVID, the price has come up and they're a bit thin on the ground. That said, it's still a good value compared to other mechanical divers in the same price range like Seiko and Invicta.
