A Vostok Watch And My Cold War Obsession

[@paulsteele6120]

Well, Old Mate, All I can say is that on a visit back to the UK some years ago, at one stage I visited my brother who had made millions of pounds in North Sea oil well supplies. He retired at 55 and indulges himself in vintage automobiles. One car which he took me down a motorway at about 120 mph (plus) was a 1925 Bentley 3/4.5 l Van Den Plas bodied tourer, same as the car in the t.v. series The Avengers. In front of me was a dashboard full of British Jeager instruments mainly chronometric and all looking splendid. However at the far left was a fairly flashy clock with I recognised from my time at sea with it's radio time quadrants and other navigational information. I asked my brother, why? His reply was that the original clock was a dashboard clock made by Brequet, with it's "crown" where the bezel should be. Very nice, but, the vibrations of the car meant this lovely clock [which now lives in it's own case in his workshop] would require lots of very expensive repair work on it. The answer was aforementioned bomber clock which just goes and goes and goes. The most interesting thing I found out is that with the loss [due to age or repatriation} of the German watchmakers sent to Russia in the 'Cold War' period. So, to get clocks that where good enough the Soviets dealt with that icon of capitalism...."Switzerland". Strange partners indeed, but, all part of the rich history of Horology!! al a pracheine.

[@MultiAnamo]

I just order next Vostok Amphibian from ebay. They reminds me early childhood in Poland during comunism. As a small boy I was often watching them on the market seling by russians. They were quite expansive for us then:)

[@philipsdefreville6138]

Cool Tim! Yes, I am actually interested in the whole East/ West Berlin period. I'd like to get a DDR watch. I have never owned one.

[@austinlau1673]

Absolutely love this style of watch reviewing - feels like I'm not only watching a video on watches but a (light) historical commentary. Subbed and looking forward to more content!

[@CasebackWatches]

Hi Austin, thanks for the subscription!

[@toughguy2186]

Awesome show !!! Thank you very much for a good entertainment. Pleas more.

[@aidanpysher2764]

That watch is beautiful. I feel the straps on it totally fit the brown tinted finished of the dial.

[@ChrisBeckman]

QUICKSET on Vostok- you start with rotating the hands at midnight then continue past 3 a.m. then go backwards past 9p.m. and repeat to change the date forward... great video as always! Cheers!

[@SirKaldar]

I have just purchased a Vostok Amphibia. Precisely because I like that Cold War aesthetic, and Soviet designed things in particular. It has this familiar but slightly old and unusual look to it. It works in more or less the way you would expect, but there is often a quirkiness to it or an unusual simplicity. Weather it's because the designers had different influences, or for lack of materials/machinery I don't know. But I find it very compelling.

[@SirKaldar]

Actually I'll make a second comment, and I don't know where you might find them online but many years ago now, back in the days of dvd rental stores. I purchased a couple of dvds of US Cold War newsreels and safety videos. They show various nuclear bomb tests, whole cities practising evacuations, little dramatisations of what to do if you survive a detonation. Of course they also had the infamous "Duck and Cover", instructional video for the school children. People make fun of that one these days, but the tone of the video was very grim. The strong implication was if you must resort to "Duck and Cover", you will almost certainly die, and you would only use it if there wasn't a better option available. But if you don't die, then following the "Duck and Cover", directions correctly should protect your airway, vision, and the use of your hands. It's intention wasn't to save your life so much as it was to ensure that you were useful if you survived.

[@oscargustavoarcosruiz8793]

I remember the time when you could choose whether your PC screen would display the letters and graphics in green or amber, and that was all you could choose, and that was a so cool thing. Aaaah! the Cold War, a time when everything was simpler and happier.

[@TheBryan1284]

I applaud your interest in the history of the cold war. And now you have me longing for your longines flagship on a bostok budget. Thank you for your review and ebay here we come.

[@numberstation]

A lot to talk about here. I’d like to recommend two books, “My Silent War”, the autobiography of the British spy Kim Philby and “Spycatcher”, Peter Wright’s memoirs of his time working with MI5, both very interesting. Next, I strongly recommend the BBC series “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” which I feel is superior to the film of recent years. If you haven’t seen it yet, I also recommend “The Spy Who Came In from the Cold” starring Richard Burton. Finally, are you aware of shortwave Numbers Stations? If not, search The Conet Project here for a real Cold War treat...

[@neilziesing7761]

Plus one on Spycatcher. Excellent book.

[@kesfitzgerald1084]

This watch has quality... just not a lot of it. However, it does have function and a certain aesthetic. I love these type of watches for what they are - class warfare on one's wrist.

[@terrykemp8131]

I have a cold war obsession too. Almost to the point of yearning for its nostalgia. I also collect items and documents from that era. I'm English but I had a German school friend around 1974. I went with him and his family to Berlin, for 10 days. During this time, I actually went across Check Point Charlie and spent a day in the DDR. Since then I have had this cold war obsession. I remember Vostock watches and love their utilitarian function and design. I looked at their high end watches too, which cost more than 500 euros, Very impressive. Thumbs up.

[@pgsahlman]

Yet another fascinating and educational video!

[@aidanpysher2764]

As a USAF aircraft mechanic, I've been a fan of cold war history, from the likes of Russian aircraft, Strategic Air Command shenanigans and the proxy wars between the the USSR and USA, so Vostok watches seem to naturally fit into the aesthetic I like. Dr. Strangelove is actually one of my favorite movies as well, and I have an 843rd Bomb Wing patch on the backpack I take to work. I usually wear a vintage 80's antimagnetic Amphibia 320235 with new NATO straps and bezel. The watch has it's little flaws and imperfections for something over 30 years old, but it looks absolutely gorgeous.

[@BarnOwl61]

Tim, this "Armbanduhr" ist magnificent now, but you invested a lot of money . Love the watchstrap on this watch. Frohe Weihnachten aus Holland.

[@steven3379]

I very nice watch, I really like the shape of the case... I would be proud to own it... 👍👍. Thanks for the video.!

[@jjlad5037]

What a coincidence...I just took delivery of a Vostok Komandirskie Military Russian Watch Commander of Tank Ministry Case 2414 / 211306...purchased through Amazon. What a horrible POS...I love it!

[@grey9982]

Great video. I was born in 1958, and thus grew up during (some of) the cold war, Thanks for the book recommendations. I'm considering buying a Vostok. Thirty years ago, I would never have considered a Soviet watch, partly because of inherent dislike of anything having to do with my nations's enemy, the USSR. Now, however, with world events being what they are, the cold war seems like a nostalgic period of serenity and happiness.

[@knightwhite99]

Great video and thanks for the historical info. I can relate, as I grew up in the '60s, and my father was a teacher/trainer for the Titan ICBM technicians. He would get the "top secret" tech manuals, and would have to read and understand them thoroughly to teach the missile techs how to work on them. Myself, I became a nuclear engineer, so I am very familiar with the physics (and the terrible effects) of nuclear weapons. I met recommend another book, "War Scare," by Dr. Peter Pry, an acquaintance of mine, and probably the smartest guy I ever met (multiple Ph.Ds) , and former CIA analyst.

[@CasebackWatches]

Thank you for the comment, Lee. It‘s really exciting for me to realize, that eye witnesses watch these videos.

[@williammiller8317]

Love the style of that watch, it's uniquely Russian in design which is interesting. I recommend 'Game of Foxes' as a great read, also watch the movie 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'. Thanks for another entertaining video Tim!

[@jackpurcell274]

The Cold War is not something I want to read about, I was a kid in the 50's, I remember "duck and roll" getting under your desk, in the case of nuclear war. One of my memories was going with my parents food shopping. In the parking lot was a bomb shelter you could buy for the family. There was a Nike base at the top of a hill near ,my home . The soldiers had automatic weapons, and you weren't allowed near it. Years later, the base was scrapped they made a kids park there, until it was discovered to be somewhat radioactive. Not very much, but no one goes there.

[@TheBryan1284]

Old cold warrior from 83 to 84 and watch nut because if it. Peter sellers was fantastico in that movie and its a great book. To all those who were born because of the Cuban missile crisis..I salute you! I'm impressed whith your interest in this subject, but must object to the Soviet green they chose for their interior paint..it lost them the war. Can you imagine staring at that all day? no wonder they drank so much vodka..great pastime by the way,but not to win the cold war.

[@brynybach7741]

I love this watch. and would be very happy to wear it. Where is the musical ending though, you know you have spoilt us now.👍

[@andrew_owens7680]

There was a very interesting game that ran on Windows Version 1. Its object was to prevent WWIII. You escalated troop placements and economic sanctions to advantage your side as much as possible. The sides were the Soviet Union vs NATO. The problem was, the real Soviet Union fell the next year (this was around 1989).

[@davidcoleman2463]

I love history. The cold war is so interesting . It is sad that most people do not read more . I know it must mean more to you because you live in Germany . I had a girlfriend that was from West Berlin . Her house was right up against the wall . Wow . Keep making these great videos . Thank you from Canada .

[@petros311]

the watch its a vostok with date so i presume its the Vostok SU-2414A movement inside same as in komandirskies, nice dress watch!

[@chinaman1]

Because of this video, I bought my 2nd Vostok. But I wanted one that looked a lot like the one you had. And the one I got is quite similar though the ref number on the back is different. I just hope this time this vintage vostok will actually arrive. My last vintage vostok didn't arrive. And I bought a new one, which is not vintage, directly from vostok. Gahhhhh my wallet.

[@mrp9498]

Doomsday Machine book👍🏼

[@shaharyarsheikh5291]

I would suggest reading the George Smiley continuity of novels by John LeCarre. The BBC mini series for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is very good. Another cool read is The Official History of MI5 specifically sections relating to British Counter espionage directed at the Soviet Union before and after WW2.

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

interesting books i will get one

[@danielrosic2960]

The B52 is far from outdated, it's still in use by the USAF.

[@quehorassao00]

out of topic: i struggle still with the question of the first man on the moon,i don't want to take away the accomplishment of the people involve (Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin)but the reality is they are a lot of contradictions,On topic: i find the Vostok Amphibia a watch every collector must have due to its movement and History

[@Yoshikaable]

Hey Tim, here's my book recommendation: 'An Iron Wind' by Peter Fritzsche.

[@geroldatlarge1841]

Hi Tim . I heard after the war , watch makers and equipment were taken from Glashutte and moved to Russia. What watches were made in Russia by these laborers ? Were these early Vostok watches?

[@CasebackWatches]

I've heard that too, but I don't know if it were Vostoks, sorry.

[@neilpiper9889]

I have a Volna Precision watch from the 1950s copied from the Germans and redesigned and improved by the Soviets. Collectors items now.

[@walterlee4796]

My imagination is running wild now,dead drops,,raincoats,checkpoint Charlie

[@TheBryan1284]

I have a picture of a Army MP who served at check point Charlie pissing on the wall.

[@scottparis6355]

Interesting that as a non-native speaker of English, you understand the pun (?) of "terminal," as "last," or "ending," VS "terminal" as "device one uses to look into a computer." (The 2nd meaning is the "last" device on a string of computer devices.) You are a linguist, without pretending to be one. Those 60s-70s-80s Russian watches have a kind of science-fiction modern look that is, at the same time, old fashioned. Some of them did a pretty fair job mimicking Omegas/Tissots of the same era.

[@christophcase6394]

Interestingly the third meaning of terminal as a deadly condition / situation also fits in case of the game. Like Tim I am also from Germany. If you are at least a little open to languages you get this little details at the latest before you get your school certificate of an "Abitur", also called "Allgemeine Hochschulreife" (loosely translated: general fitness for higher education). Maybe there is a small advantage in the fact that English as a language is related to German (especially apparent in Shakespeare texts which I also had to read in school). At last in German exists the phrase "einen Termin vereinbaren" (word by word translation: to agree on a point in time for a meeting) which also stems from the same origin.

[@timothythomas1626]

KZbin channel " Richard Perrette Watchmaker" review of two vostok . He had kominderski on time grapher out of box had no beat error and zero seconds a day. The Drive watch amphibian is in a second video. He Takes them apart and discusses the movements and all components. Very educating

[@lori4789]

guter Filmgeschmack mit Doktor Strange Love

[@cedarcanoe]

Tim, have you considered my question on how to read a timegrapher?

[@CasebackWatches]

Considered, yes, but then it turned out, that it's quite a science. The topic is still on my list but needs more preparation.

[@neilpiper9889]

Soviet History in watches and cameras are my life.

[@alexeybarkovskiy9357]

Good video comrade! USSR born subscriber.

[@arnaudmeert1527]

How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb.

[@timothythomas1626]

WAR GAMES Movie is on youtue as well

[@surfitli]

Nice Vostok. I have some modern Vostok Amphias. They are very interesting in how they are made.

[@odedasouline8092]

Dr. Strangelove so funny

[@legaltrender2653]

you can't fight in here. This is the War Room.

[@augustinf]

There is a wbsite called conquerclub.com, it s based on risk and there are over 200 maps including cold war and ww2 stuff. If you like the board game risk... it s just a browser game and can be played for free.

[@phmwu7368]

Collect Russian watches with a Cyrillic script dial, 👍 not an English dial re-edition Amazing Cold War story = Navy Commander & frogman Lionel "Buster" Crabb who dived to check the Soviet cruiser Ordzhonikidze in 1956...

[@BoogurTWang]

"This might hare-lip everybody on Bear creek"...Slim Pickens (in his greatest role)

[@lordpagano]

Watching this video with a Vostok on my wrist. That case shape was quite common for soviet watches of the era; the case would most likely be chrome-plated brass. Soviet watches are great!

[@1985valdi]

Hahaha. If this watch has Vostok Amphiblia movement then you are completely wrong about durability of the watch. Those movements are bulett proof There is the video on FB about this movement put through the hell and back and it survived.

[@russellharris5072]

I have the Vostock Anphibia and more interestinly a 1970's Commandirskie only available to military or family members of military when presenting the special ID card issued to them....................

[@bittermoon29]

I agree - quality of Vostok is below Chinese. Fact.

[@korsal4133]

I think we are revisiting the cold war era now unfortunately....

[@CasebackWatches]

Yes, that video didn't age well ...

[@angelos6817]

I have over one dozen Vostoks. It is a big sickness!

[@bittermoon29]

Vostok = Lada.

[@oscarmadison8530]

Russian watches are able to absorb a great deal of punishment, and still bring you home. I speak from personal experience.

[@treedillinger5801]

What are you doing to these poor watches?? 😱 lol

[@oscarmadison8530]

@@treedillinger5801 😂😂😂 I should have said they have survived hurricanes,floods and tropical storms.

[@treedillinger5801]

Oscar Madison ...ahhh. Got it. 😁

[@oscarmadison8530]

@@treedillinger5801 Also,there was No phisting involved...I spent a lot oph money phor those watches. 😂😂😂😂

[@oscargustavoarcosruiz8793]

"You, red watch, give me the time or die!"

[@ihabkahnung]

alter, da fallt mir viel dazu ein, großmutter gschichten, die erste russische uhrenfabrik und die 50+ uhren die ich zum basteln verbrauch, alles rund um das gfladerte zeug aus glashütte, die entwicklung nachdem der pöse russe doch schweizer patente kaufen musste. anyway, di san no bis heut deppert. man kann die diskussion vertiefen wenn du bock hast. hab spass.

[@snoworder]

after Kon-Tiki and The Odyssey, I do not trust your recommendations and taste (:

[@CasebackWatches]

Which aspect of those movies you've found disappointing? Just curious.

[@shovons]

I would like to hear your opinions on Germany as a world power and particularly about the fact that your country instigated and was involved in two world wars? I feel, from watching you that you are able to answer me honestly without feeling offended. Please forgive me if I am wrong. I do understand that it was your forefathers and not you, yourself who was involved. Nevertheless, what is it about the German people and culture that produced two major wars? Are you war like, are you predetermined to take on a huge but ultimately empty endeavour? Also, how your country has managed to recover from these wars so quickly and indeed step forward as a major world economy twice, so easily from your sheer determination and ingenuity? But really, what is it about you, collectively as Germans that produced not one, but two world wars? Is it a superiority complex, inbred within your culture?