Restoration of a 1990's Vostok Amphibia/Komandirskie Military Watch + Pallet Warmer Demo & Giveaway!

[@WatchRepairChannel]

If you would like a chance of winning the Pallet Warmer featured in this video then please be a Subscriber of this channel (it's free), like the video and share it on social media to spread the word. Then simply comment with the words "Pallet Warmer" below (not a reply to this comment) and one lucky viewer will be selected from those comments and announced in my next video. If you are a Patreon of the channel then see your Patreon feed for details of how to be entered twice in the draw. Join me as I restore this 1990's Vostok Amphibia/Komanderskie Military watch with excess shellac applied to the pallets. This will likely cause timing issues so I decided to replace the shellac as part of the restoration project. One problem - my pallet warmer is missing!!! But that's OK I made a new one in my previous video in this series (kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5_alZemrMmems0) and so we are good to go. So let's find out how much of a difference we can make to the performance of this Vostok.

[@jonathanm877]

if you worked at vostok, they would fire you for being too thorough. 'you assemble 1 watch all day, not 500''

[@alistairmackie8226]

" Pallet Warmer " Great Video as usual

[@neilbraun11]

@watchrepairchannel For give me as I cant find how to dm you. I have a longines 12.68z that I can not get the stem inserted in correctly. Every time I get it sit all the way in and tighten the screw.. the crown function is setting the hands and the watch is stopped. The crown also comes all the way out. If you could help me at all that would be very helpful

[@ВалентинСтрыкало-т4ц]

the angle of anchor plugs 42 degrees

[@nymsmacgregor7232]

I have 2 Vostok watches and both always seem to run fast, even after adjusting speed. Perhaps Russian watches are more efficient so are ahead of most time pieces.... Question: Besides the cleaning, how did less shellac on the pallet change anything...? Was the extra weight causing the problem or were the pallet jewels in the wrong place...? I could not tell if you moved them in or out. I've repaired only about 30 Waltham pocket watches and ladies wrist watches so I'm on the hobby level. Can you tell us what happened with this watch...? I love your video, though,, it's very well done. Nyms

[@gedmcgaffin1255]

A true watch snobs nightmare. I just love them.

[@steves1970]

i love watches and i watch your restorations to sort of meditate - especially when they have musical accompaniment in the background - fantastic videos.

[@ianmedium]

You know, when you say acceptable that is a real understatement! You got chronometer timekeeping out of this movement. It might not have decoration and a rough and ready finish but really that does not matter. You got timekeeping as good as any high end Swiss watch. It really does take the wee wee out of spending hundreds or thousands and for what? A posher finish!

[@traviswalker8933]

Finally someone who gets the point

[@stonemason4902]

yes, the watch looks to be made honestly, no fancy finishes but all the materials used are, solid neat and tidy when made into the plates bridges etc. Most the jewels don't have end caps, but work fine I liked the finish of the metal, am not crazy about scallops. Compared to the ugly fake rolex movement that was angle grinded, this watch has a good finish. I like that the balance wheel is huge and plain. Can say I know zero about watches though.

[@sog6841]

Most accurate Vostok in the world.

[@KarthusDreams]

@@PedroSilva-yc4bu Why not ?

[@American_Jeeper]

The ONLY accurate Vostok in the world. My late aunt brought one home for my mother from the Soviet Union in the late 60s, when she was a stewardess with Air France. I now have it and, when it decides it wants to work, it's 2-3 minutes fast each day.

[@pericodelospalotes5738]

@@American_Jeeper A watchmaker could easily adjust the time keeping almost for free, you lazy but I guess since the late 60's it also needs a full service and it is as expensive as a new Vostok.

[@kevinseiler1592]

I have this exact watch that I got in Vladivostok in November 1992 when my ship, USS Mobile Bay visited the post-Soviet Navy port there. I have the box and papers, too! :-)

[@MyAffordableWatchCollection]

One of the things I love most about Vostok is that the watches they make now and the ones they made 30 years ago look the same

[@TheInnacity]

there is one new dial design released , i still dont like the dials , there's a cartoonish naivete , if there challenging the people to just paint or redux them .

[@GeckoCkCkCk]

@@TheInnacity I get dials that don't have military symbols. There are plenty. meranom.com/ru/amphibian-classic/670/ meranom.com/ru/amphibian-classic/120/ komandirskie.com/catalog/amfibiya/amfibiya_klassika/710к/chasy_amfibiya_710334/ komandirskie.com/catalog/amfibiya/amfibiya_klassika/090k/

[@GeckoCkCkCk]

And the parts are interchangeable, and thus available!

[@nymsmacgregor7232]

One of mine has dial of KGB.... I'm sure Russian spies wandered around Washington DC and New York City wearing watches that said KGB on the dial....

[@АндрейНикитенко-ф4с]

This is not an original Komandirsky watch, which was produced for the army and not sold on the civilian market. The real ones have always had a high reputation, but in the situation of economic collapse in Russia in the nineties, many fakes appeared. The quality of these copies ranged from quite decent to completely junk, but never matched the level of the original. In the best case, watches could be assembled from parts that did not pass the “Military Acceptance”, but were recognized as fit for civilian use. Now similar watches are made for civilian use, but they are noticeably different from watches for the army. Watches issued for the army are not sold to civilians.

[@fabriziodutto7508]

Wow! You can transform a Vostok movement into a COSC! What a craftsmanship! Thank you for sharing.

[@Volodia2141]

Спасибо! Очень приятно смотреть на Вашу работу!

[@jackdaniels5679]

Тем более с нашими часами ,,ВОСТОК"!!!

[@gtacademic]

@@jackdaniels5679 ...у которых ход самолично отрегулирован :)

[@davidinghram2494]

I love to watch you guys bring fine old watches back to life. It sure looked beautiful when you got done.

[@carywatmore]

These are legit. I bought one in Singapore sometime in the early 1990s - around 1991 to 1993. The only difference is mine has russian words between 7 and 6 and “B CCCP” between 6 and 5 hour markers right at the edge of the dial. Some how mind still works after 30 years but is a bit slow. I paid the un-princely sum of $30 - it came in a small cream plastic box with a sheet of paper in Russian. My understanding was Russian sailors used to bring these in and sell them to the then small sundry shops near the Quay (Key) in singapore to make a few precious US$. So lovely that you probably made this watch better than when it left the factory.

[@bamaboysmith2723]

During the Chernobyl disaster, Vostocks were used because they were mechanically made and radiation would not fry the battery. These watches were worn by many thousands of men and women who served to fix an catastrophe that was caused by a few. That's why I wear 1 as I type and will always own one long as I'm able and alive!. It dosent have to have swiss stamped to be great in the watch world. Thank you for doing this. Please restore lots more Vostok. You will find there are many many who will watch and subscribe. More will enjoy this than a watch they can never afford. Best wishes! Heath

[@mattcameron9349]

Vostok now sell a Chernobyl commemorative caseback for the Amphibia. Mine was about £20 including shipping to the UK. A beautiful addition (and recognition of what those heroes achieved)

[@Bartyron]

Although you are not the onlyone that can perform these actions on KZbin, I just want to say that this is poetry. The skill and the mechanics of it all is just amazing to watch (no pun intended..). Thanks for posting your efforts.

[@SlickWillyTFCF]

As cheap and mass produced as they are, I fell in love with Vostok watches when I first got into mechanical timepieces, and happened to be married to a Belarusian who was teaching me Russian. Finding watches in the wild on our trip to Belarus in 2010 was fun. Thanks for the video.

[@hobonickel840]

I luv the collectability and interchangeability of the vostok models

[@Scuba72Chris]

Whoever oiled that movement must have had shares in Exxon.

[@jeff1176]

Definitely no shortage on the lube.

[@HaraldSangvik]

It was probably Gazprom

[@marekeos]

And I dial the IKEA help hotline when assembling a night stand. Fantastic video!

[@ageary]

Wow Mark you got that movement performing better than the day it left the factory........master class work.

[@Kysushanz]

I bought Vostok watches for import back in 2000 and went through the factory in Chistopol - fantastic experience and wonderful people. They make several actions and I still use their gold plated Vostok as a dress watch. Didn't sell all my stock and there are a few still siting around - interest in the Soviet style watches just isn't there now. Same, as they really are interesting pieces and a bit of a conversational piece. BTW I was fascinated by your skills - amazing.

[@stas2304]

Красавчик ,у меня такие времён СССР 1986 года до сих пор работают в ремонте не разу не были 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍☝️☝️☝️☝️

[@Robert_DeVille]

I admire your skill when setting the pallet stones, I doubt that I could do it without dropping one of the jewels & losing it forever or sneezing across the pallet warmer thus blowing them into infinity never to be seen again.

[@andrewk.3902]

Pallet warmer. I think you have one of the best watch repair channels on You Tube. Thank you, I look forward to seeing more watch repairs.

[@arieswardhono9229]

Very nice watch.. also nice fixing stone positions using palette warmer..

[@mikewysko2268]

I admire your skill and craftsmanship. Well done Sir.

[@surrealiststreetgang]

I'm a hobbyist with dozens of inexpensive watches, and I really enjoy your soothing videos. I get to see what's inside a lot of my cheap hobby watches. Thanks!

[@StayBlur]

Thanks so much for your vids. I have a stressfull job (emergency nurse) and your content makes me feel so relaxed after a hard and emotional day of work.

[@alanpreston3111]

Great job, especially the work on the pallet fork , lovely watch 😎👍🏻

[@darrensmith6999]

Brilliant and so relaxing to. Big Vostok fan and owner. Was sat watching this with my cat on my lap so relaxed. Thank you.

[@Schnorbitz]

I have no use for a pallet warmer, but a Vostok refurbed by my favourite watchmaking KZbinr, well...

[@LumeShot]

Thank you for the detailed explanation of the pallet warmer in use. I've been using a rudimentary brass plate held by my tweezers, so this would be a great upgrade! I love the craftsmanship of hand-made tools.

[@jsking306]

I know little about watches, but I enjoy viewing your repair process. The care and precision you exhibit is amazing. Thank you for the outstanding videos.

[@julianguitron8972]

Ferrari treatment for the beetle! However, it's fantastic to work on a movement that wouldn't cost your arm and leg if something bad happens, so pressure is off ;-) I'd like to take that pallet warmer if I may...

[@BaddaBigBoom]

The amount of precision work that goes into a total stripdown and CLA like this must be worth at least the watches value in time and effort, probably more with this watch. I was hypnotised. Thumbs up.

[@tissapathiratna7761]

Very professional. pleasure to watch.

[@OvidiuHretcanu]

6:37 how you clean up a russian movement one may ask? step 1: submerge the movement in vodka step 2: submerge the movement in oil done!

[@miguelangelmendonca232]

Is this the infamous "oil diver"?

[@ClickClack_Bam]

That's the same process for cleaning the AK-47!

[@VolkerHett]

Is it ok when I drink the Vodka and skip step 1?

[@velviaman3206]

@@VolkerHett Drink the voddy and pee on it , works just as well.

[@sam9242]

One big problem with your channel, I have no way to give two thumbs up. Amazing increase in amplitude.

[@iliyastebnyov813]

Fantastic! I've been glad to see so precise work, so attention and tender to the famous "good old" Vostok movement. Thank you!

[@tag243]

As I see there are not bad movements, there's bad QC =) great work.

[@TheChadWork2001]

Much better Mark! You really brought this watch back to life better than it was!

[@johncunningham5435]

Pallet warmer; love the approach with this hand made tool to address the pallet issue, "it would come in handy in my profession", nicely demonstrated.

[@jessphuqette1716]

Great musical accompaniment. Well done lad

[@ecalzo]

You're SUPER.. never saw a inforamtive video like this one .. your craftmanship are amazing.. we should have more watchmakers like you ..

[@pablorages1241]

it's probably keeping the best time it's ever kept

[@democratictotalitariansoci1462]

@Leopard Boas a vintage costs about 30$ in east europe

[@TheOilrigger]

great video 25 years ago saltwater entered my komandirskie while i used it as a dive watch (the Crown unscrewd its selfe). now i know my watch is not lost, it is lying in my desk waiting to get restored. thanks for your videos i am getting interested in watches.

[@walther9161]

Thank you for this video! I now understand the shellacking process and why it’s done that way.

[@lancehouse8127]

Love the watch and Pallet Warmer! Watch repair and making requires precision and patience.

[@romanbashkirov1359]

The Amfibia / Komandirskye looks like new watch! And the accuracy is now very high for Vostok. Thank you for this video!

[@b1ff]

The smaller text at the 1200 says “antimagnetic”, for those curious.

[@markomagajna2742]

Lovely watch..Great work..thanks for sharing..

[@kawasaki5187]

Many thanks, have ordered a Vostok off a well known auction site, will keep you posted

[@glenh4971]

Yes, I know, I am a late commenter. Thanx so much for doing this renovation. I am going to be buying one of these watches soon. Beautiful watch.

[@GlebKuzntesov]

Lovely restoration! Thumbs up.

[@stevarad]

Chronometer accuracy! More than acceptable 😀 I had very hard and stressed day. But after watching this video, I feel so calm and good...meditation. Thank you. I think one of first thing tommorow will be to became patreon

[@r.o.1330]

You're the Bob Ross of watchmaking!

[@thezapsback]

Hi Mark! I would love to have this pallet warmer, not only for the functionality but also is a gift built by your hands. Good luck to anybody who dedicated himself to watches :)

[@jasonknight5564]

Great video -- as an owner of several Kommandirskiye watches and Raketas, I'm feeling more confident about examining mine (and taking your course, of course!). I got a chuckle from the NATO-style strap being fitted to the watch. Thanks for the great work!

[@willywgb]

It would be great to own this hand made Pallet Warmer. Excellent video. Cheers Willy

[@ПётрБайрак]

Спасибо за такое видео! Очень познавательно! Я рад что у вас в руках Восток! 🤝🏻

[@robertcalkjr.8325]

Thanks Mark! Nice work! That pallet warmer is so nice I don't know who wouldn't want one!

[@paulmugleston4283]

A great video that gives me confidence to service my own Komandirskie. Thanks!

[@antraciet]

You are a genius ! Love your vids and craftsmanship

[@paulstewart2299]

Pallet Warmer. Mark I find these videos very helpful to watch in between your repair tutorials. If this is a hobby, as it is to me, you’re not around watch dismantling and rebuilding all of the time so watching these videos is as close as it gets to being around the watch making/repair industry. I’m just working my way through level 3, hopefully level 4 will be released just as I finish.

[@kevgermany]

Very nice work. Super impressed with the pallet warmer. We use shellac for setting saxophone pads. Books if you're not careful.

[@miromes8774]

Such a great watch with a lot of history and innovation behind it's name. People that are bashing on Vostoks have no clue what kind of watch they can get for funny 50$. It's amazing...

[@silenthill5794]

I"ll admit, before today I had absolutely no idea what a pallet was, or that it could be found inside of a watch. Now I know what a pallet warmer is too. If I could go back in time, I would consider becoming a watch repair person. It seems like a very calming profession and you demonstrate it so well, including the peaceful music, it's fascinating to watch, get it...watch....sigh.

[@ajones4064]

Pallet Warmer. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome videos!! I hve enjoyed each and every one!!!! Also, thank you for doing the give-away and congrats to the lucky winner!!

[@1200mitch]

Thanks for your great videos. Pallet Warmer.

[@android61242]

I like that pallet warmer design quite a bit. maybe build myself one at some point. Thank you for always sharing

[@teddd2009]

Wow! Silk purse out of sow's ear scenario. I saw lots of what appeared to be common machine oil-maybe? Can't imagine that helps accuracy. Vostok does claim 10 years until service is needed. This may be why, oil does not dry out maybe. Yes, the pallet fork issue is another tweak that made it more accurate. Talent and knowledge overcomes poor quality. Bravo!

[@ianpeterson8515]

Awesome video, thanks Mark! Would love the pallet warmer!

[@haywoodf]

Great educational and entertaining vid. Thanks for your efforts and the Pallet Warmer giveaway.

[@nadeembutt9811]

Thanks for repairing entry pallet sir

[@jonicurn100]

Great work! Love that "pallet warmer"

[@zsanime]

Thanx for saving history.

[@philoconnor3716]

Nice work Mark. The watch looks and runs great. Nice neat style. Would like to receive your pallet warmer, a great little tool. Thanks for the demo using the shellac and setting the pallet stones. This is no longer a dauning task after your tutorial. Thanks again. Phil O'Connor, Sydney Australia

[@Викторкурлов-ш3м]

Спасибо за приятное видио Вы великий Мастер

[@BCallum]

You truly are amazing. Love your videos.

[@arnaudmeert1527]

I love the music behind your videos

[@СветланаПопова-и3ы]

изумительно!!! Отличная работа, профессионал своего дела.

[@geoffreylotz3661]

Yeh...I'd like a chance to win the pallet warmer. I've been holding out for a miracle of a bunch of old tools from someone who had passed away or retired to come available to me through the ether....and I hear in the next little village is a woman whose parents were both watchmakers in Belgium and who came to Africa in the 1950's. So she still has some of their tools that she is looking for a home for and so I'm going there next week to have a look and make an offer....I don't know if there is a pallet warmer amongst that lot but even if there is....another made by you would be great! There is also a watchmakers workbench in the same village ( not from the same source interestingly) while I will take a look at. Great video again, iconic watch. Thanks for the effort of making and sharing the video. ..always appreciated.

[@ADudeAndHisWatches]

It is amazing that watch ran at all with that tremendous oil slick inside!

[@phillipmaciver3226]

Makes me want to take my new Vostock to bits!.....another great video along with a great explanation of how to use the Pallet Warmer...thank you.

[@carlosbin9813]

Mark!!!! Send the pallet warmer for me here in Brazil!!! Great job!!! I love your videos !!!

[@kiwicory100]

Mark I have two vostoks...and I love watching you give them the love they deserve? If there is a chance I wouldn't mind the pallet warmer...either way I will always watch cheers and seasons greetings.

[@row1lls]

I find your videos extremely relaxing and will continue to support your channel. Thanks for the frequent videos and cool content

[@xVoLAnD]

It's unreal job

[@fmc6338]

I have an Amphibia looks just like the one in the video. Nice little watch.

[@guillaumevachon2997]

Hello Mark, great video again. For sure I would love to have this hand made pallet warmer. If I go on with watchmaking I might need it soon !! Thanks for all the tips and tricks you give !!

[@fabriziodutto7508]

What a nice job!

[@troynasello2085]

Awesome. I'm very excited to see the bellmatic restored & serviced! I've always been interested in them. Thanx!

[@ЮрийПавленков-п4и]

Спасибо за интересный видеоролик.

[@JeremySmith-kd7te]

Nice job!! The watch looks amazing and runs better than when it left the factory! Love the video 👍 "pallet warmer"

[@bryanmoffat5198]

Mad skills 💯 Love how you just knock out a new pallet warmer tool. Think your the only guy I'd ever trust to service any of my expensive watches if I had any 😅 loved watching you work for years now. ⌚👀 👌🏻

[@stomartalar]

I like that you show the complete process of how to deal with an issue. Most "repair" man would just look for another pallet or just say that nothing can't be done. That pallet warmer is really helpful. If possible would like to see if I can enter the raffle for one.

[@VWatchie]

Pallet Warmer PATRON - And as always, absolutely great video. As I've been doing Vostoks for several years this was VERY special to me. Thank you Mark!

[@TomTom-up1kz]

Very good job 👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@wanchai97]

Pallet Warmer Learn a lot from your videos, please keep them coming.

[@thomasm5714]

I have two of these Komandirskie watches, one automatic and one manual wind - both have been reliable for years and accurate to within 20 sec per day.

[@andreyche193]

Nice! I think this watch is absolutely legit. I remember having one sometime in the early 1990-ies. At the time in Russia there was no distinction between Amphibia and Komandirskie: it was considered pretty much the same watch with different face decorations. I think there were basic and were quite affordable (even cheaper than today).

[@adamsmith6594]

for anyone else who buys one and trawls looking for information the difference between the two is that a Derskie is waterproof to 30 meters and the Amphibia to 200 meters. These hybrids have an amphibia case and a derskie face and movement but may have been Frankened by others. There are 3 types I've seen - straight hour hand, arrow hour hand with CCCP at bottom and one lume spot at 12.00 positions and arrow hour hand without CCCP with two lume spots at the 12.00 position. Some claim these hybrids were made in the 90s but that isn't true as they can be found from the 80s too confirmed by people who bought them in the 80s - *that* vostok book is inaccurate apparently. When opening the back the ring comes off and so does the back and then there may be a plate over the movement. Some have it and some have been robbed. Also on older versions the bezel has a glowing dome at the top and I believe later versions have a red dome. The information is out there but can't include links here.

[@spidiq8]

Always a pleasure to see a new video from you and I would be delighted to have such an elegant pallet warmer so throw me in the draw please. Very much looking forward to the bellmatic video.