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Vostok: Brand Information
Updated 30 Aug 2010 by Editor, RussianWatchGuide.com 
Vostok is one of the best-known Russian watch brands. They manufacture durable, good quality watches with mechanical jeweled movements that don't cost a lot of money. A typical Vostok watch sells between $50 and $150, though some models cost more. Many Vostok watches are designed in the style of military or diver's watches.
Vostok started producing watches in 1942, though didn't start using the Vostok brand until the 1960's. In 1965 the company was appointed an official supplier of watches for the Defense Department of the Soviet Union. Vostok has won a number of international prizes for both quality and commercial success. According to the company's website, their current philosophy "is to create mechanical watches maintaining precise timekeeping at any temperature, in any environment, surviving heavy pressure and blows." In 2004, Vostok entered into a joint venture with a Lithuanian company to create Vostok-Europe. Vostok means "east" in Russian and was the name of a Russian spacecraft first launched in 1960. Several sources have reported that Vostok filed for bankruptcy in early 2010, though production has continued and the watches are still available. The official Vostok website is closed as of this update. Reviews See the following reviews: Vostok Amphibia review, Vostok 100 Series review, Vostok Century Time review. Where to Buy The most popular places to buy Vostok watches are the Zenitar store and Smirs. Official Website The official Vostok website is www.vostok-inc.com (Website closed at the time of this update) Video: Building a Vostok Wristwatch This entertaining video produced for Russian television offers an in-depth look at the Vostok Komandirskie wristwatch. It includes factory footage and an explanation of how the mechanical movement is made. The video is in Russian with English subtitles.
I bought a Vostok watch from Zenitar. After 4 months it stopped working. I sent it back to him. He fixed it. It laseted another 2 months & quit. He refused to fix it saying I had damaged it by opening it, which was impossible. Thus I do not recommend buying from Zenitar. i just bought one'amphibia' submarine on dial..amazing,i am very happy :) i recently purchased one of these wonderful time pieces in Khakiv and watching your video convinces me of there quality, accuracy and value for money. With reference to the discussion about case materials, my Komandirskie went in the swimming pool with me on holiday every day for a week and the chlorine took the plating off to reveal a brass like metal underneath. Still ticks just fine though. I love Russian watches so much but I can not find it in my country. Who can help me please?
mailto: wahyuwdd@yahoo.co.id I just found myself 2 Amphibian Vostok watches in Ukraine for 50€ both. The first one is a modern automatic winding with papers. It shows the KGB sign on the front. The second one is a vintage mechanical winding from the USSR era, bought in the antique market in Kiyv. I love the sovietish design of these watches and the fact that they are harder to find in western europe than any other Rolex. They don't cost a lot and seem to be very resistant. I have Komandirskije Vostok watch. Very good watch! Stil work. It is 25 years old. Gift from my mother. I believe I have a Vostok watch bought in W Berlin it has the Red Star with a parachute, wind up mechanism but the main spring is broken and the local watch repairer says it cant be repaired because he cant get spares Any help advice appreciated .. tks I worked as a journalist in Moscow in 1989 and bought several watches while there. My Vostok watches continue to work and are prized objects in my collections from my foreign travels. I have several on my Flickr account (with the original papers showing warranty) You can view these watches by using this link, http://www.flickr.com/photos/southwestusa/4572597711/ or just get on Flickr and look up my name "High Above Texas." I love these watches, Vostok is one of the last real Soviet manufcture in Russia (With Raketa).... sadely all the others are dead((( I think, mostly the case is made of steel and the bezel is made of chrome-plated brass, but it doesn't really matter. None of my Vostok Amphibia automatic watches ever failed me. I agree that they are exceptional value watches that are really robust and reliable. They really worked well for me for scuba diving too (40 meters). This is why I have been relying on these watches for almost 20 years. I tend to believe that no other watch could take my busy lifestyle like a Vostok Amphibia!
I have 2 unused vostok watches Operation desert shield mainly for the US market I imagine but are they still of interest? I currently own 7 Vostoks. From the Komandirskie to a Vostok Europe Energia and Metro. Each one of then keep perfect time. At the end of the day, my favorite one is the mechanical 17 jewel Komandirskie (the one with the tank and red star) I picked up in 1994 in the FR Yugoslavia for $20. I have deployed with it, worked on cars, and worked on houses. These watches are great gifts for kids as they can take some beating, teach them to "really" tell time, and do not cost an arm and leg ($51 for a Vostok Komandirskie 2414406/211306). Additionally, they stand out in a crowd. I have a brand new Boctok 2414 A, serial number 617106, manufactured in 1989. It has been in our attic since that time and the thing still runs great! I wish I knew more about these fine time pieces. Komandirskie are crome plated metal, and have a water resistance about 2atm. If you want a st steel case you must go for an amphibia, and then you got water resistance to 20atm. but even on amphibia i think the to bezel (i think its the name,the piece that rotates, sry for my english) is crome plated and not st steel. for a few bucks more, go for an amphibia. Vostok is an exceptional value. I just wish that there was a better indication of the case materials. I was looking at a 2416B Komandirskie 921xxx. There is a big discrepancy or confusion in reference to case material -- official Vostok website does not indicate, a few sellers say stainless steel, some indicate chrome plate "stainless material." Others sources specify chrome plated brass. Which is it? I once thought Vostok watches are inferior quality due to their low price. I have learnt that some cheap things are not exactly inferior. |
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