Tricks and Hacks for Vostok Watches

[@AnonOrange]

Vostok's are cool without trying to be cool. They are certainly not trying to be rich. Their last financial statement had $1 mil in sales with a profit of $70,000. Barely in business for a world brand. Went bankrupt in 2010. They are rugged, very reasonably priced mechanical watches. They need our love. Don't confuse them with "Vostok-Europe", from Lithuania. Not the original, much more expensive $1,000+, but also cool looking. They use some movements from Vostok, but also from the Swiss or Japan.

[@thomassmith2056]

I just bought two from meranom.com😀

[@vladchan]

Vostok are selling their basic hand wind Kommandirskys on their online store for like $25-30 Idk how those guys are making any money.

[@jsdhesmith2011]

Best damn watch I've ever owned. Beats the hell out of watches 10 times the price plus. Ak47 of watches.

[@briman2183]

How accurate it yours? I have heard a wide range of accuracies listed from other owners.

[@O4KAST]

@@briman2183 these watches are acclaimed to sometimes be inaccurate, and opinions on them differ quite much. Ranges go from a full minute to around 5 seconds a day. It's really hit or miss. If you get it regulated by a watch master they can work great and I'd say you can safely get 5-15 seconds difference per day. Greets from Russia 😉

[@marcmole3727]

@Ginsung its to signal youre getting close to an hour which is typically the red zone of the amount of air you have in a single tank

[@zauraze8]

I have amphibian. This watch is not accurate. Accuracy is changing as well. If you have a time to tune accuracy you can try but you can also buy much better watch like Seiko. The glass is very scratching. I think Vostok watches are expensive for the quality.

[@DryCustard]

@@zauraze8 55 - 75$ for a 200m automatic watch is not expensive lol

[@warrenstemphly5756]

I just bought a 24 hr. dial Komandirski a month ago as I write this. Absolutely love it. The band it came with is fine, not sure how it will age, but it’s comfy. It seems pretty accurate, I’ve had to set the time about once a week. I “get” the fan base.

[@justinw2232]

Lucky man! Wear it in good health. 👍🏻

[@DarrellWright-bb9ct]

17¹

[@raybeer5336]

I found it was easier to wind the watch when the watch is on its side with the winder underneath, then gravity makes the crown fall away from the body.

[@ericanderson169]

That makes sense, good observation.

[@mikeyerke3920]

Love the choice of round to accompany that watch! Perfect. Just ordered my first Vostok Komandirski today. A nice accessory to have when shooting the AKs. Great video. Thank you. 🇺🇸

[@johnjeromson3471]

The care you take of that watch does credit to both you and your grandpa, good work fella.

[@IansModRite]

For anybody wondering, like myself, what the wire size of the retainer spring is in AWG, it’s 22. Just in case you wanna use some other wire type in a pinch.

[@freqeist]

I love the date changer trick!

[@EmeraldHill-vo1cs]

Just dug my old new one out and had forgotten that date hack, thanks ,i knew someone would know.

[@christianwilliams1690]

I bought my first Amphibia a few months ago and I love the thing. Waiting for a Komandirskie in the post now

[@alan4cars]

Enjoyed your video. Very informative. I just started buying Vostok watches. Really well designed and a great value. Also thanks for the info on Ballistol. Now I can polish my watches and clean my guns at the same time!

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

I think you'll find that you'll love Ballistol. Thanks for watching and for the comment!

[@Lex5576]

I'll have to remember the Ballistol, I keep several cans of that stuff around. I have been using PolyWatch to buff out the scratches. I have a good collection going of 15 Vostok Amphibias. These watches are freakin tanks they're built so tough, but I have one that's my dedicated beater. The ballistol will probably make it look a lot newer.

[@Ivobe2]

Life saver! Did a mod on my amphibian that tension spring for the bezel and the bezel is messed up now. Time to mend my lack of skill. Thanks for the video!

[@simoninglis7437]

Great video. Many thanks for sharing your ideas. Very useful.

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

You're so welcome. Glad the video helped.

[@jisa98]

Cant wait to get mine!

[@skistrycharski6999]

You won’t be disappointed, had mine on for 4 days in a row today. (5-19-21) Till the other watches, started to me give shit. No need for a dive watch now (660 ft), of course those days are over for me/70 yro. lol

[@pericodelospalotes5738]

Tooth paste to polish off small scratches on the acrylic glass.

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

Nice tip!! Thanks!

[@blindriv3r]

yep, mine was scuffed up over a pretty large portion but the toothpaste did the trick. I had been in a minor car accident, the airbag put some abrasions on my head and left arm, but the watch took the beating with only those scuffs on the acrylic

[@hankosaurus]

Turtle Wax in the bottle is wonderful for polishing acrylic glass. I've use that on my Russian watches with perfect results.

[@CaliforniaFly]

I've used Semichrome on my Omega Speedmaster Professional for years. All it takes is a small dab on a cotton cloth. Toothpaste sucks.

[@CapnJay214Supra]

@@CaliforniaFly The Speedy has a sapphire crystal; of course toothpaste doesn't make a dent. You use Simichrome on an acrylic watch and you'll destroy it. Maybe do some research on micro abrasives before you start handing out advice.

[@Bob.martens]

to change the date faster like you do, there is really no need to go beyond 10 past 12 before starting to turn back to about 9, advance again and repeat. Just be gentle and reasonable (you should know when you're not, or stick with quartz) and the movement will be fine.

[@vladchan]

If it makes you feel any better, you have to do the same back and forth shuffle to change the date on an AP Royal Oak, and that's a $50K watch right there!

[@wildbill9919]

Good video. l keep several extra retainer clips on hand in case l damage one while changing a bezel. l ordered about 10 of them a couple of years ago. About lack of quick set date-l buy Vostoks without the date if that's an option on the model l want. And don't bother to set the date on ones that have it.

[@neilpiper9889]

The date change on Al my Vostoks just click at midnight. Seiko 5 starts changing about 9 o'clock. I hate that.

[@tjwright]

Yes, Seiko 5 takes forever. Like 9pm to 3am to do the day and date. I stay up late and it is annoying

[@oldhand7]

Yes!!! Respect from Russia!

[@rapscallion3506]

Thanks, HOTA. I just ordered the tanker version and can hardly wait to get it in my hands. I appreciate these fine points.

[@MoonsingerMedia]

I just bought a Vostok Amphibian watch .. looking forward to it. I don’t have a massive collection but I have a couple of Omega’s, two Bremonts and an assortment of others .. but happy to include a nice Russian watch!

[@panayiotissofianopoulos2523]

I have an automatic Vostok Amphibia. I was very pleased, having used in swimming, diving etc. Indeed, once I wanted to check its toughness/hardness and I put it in a cup of water and put in freezer. A big block of ice wrapped my Amphibia. Then I let the ice to melt; the Vostok had stop working, probably because of the ice, but when I shake it, begun to work again! Amphibia survived this hard test! Another time, I opened it and apply some (little) silicone in its inner plastic black band, that there is behind its metallic back case, in order to waterproof the watch; I had seen this "hack" in a video in youtube and seemed good. And as I had opened the watch, I thought "Why not put a little WD40 inside, as a lubricant and rust repellent?" - it seemed good to me... and I indeed put a tiny spray of WD40. I applied a smooth cloth to absorve the excess oil (of WD40) - but I have put very little. Then I screw the back case in my Amphibia, and was ready for use - again. But what a (bad) surprise... my Amphibia now, was - and still is - running incredibly fast. In a day gains 2 or 3 hours. The ice experiment didn't destroyed my Amphibia but I think WD40 did "destroyed" it - and I don't know how can I fix this... • I tried to leave the screwed crown, opened, so that the WD40 that I had put inside, to dry out/evaporise, but nothing. It didn't succeed... • I opened it again and try to fix it by adjusting the regulating lever (the lever that is above the balance wheel), by rotating it as far it could go to minus (-) - [to extreme point of minus] - in a try to slow down my watch, to normality... I assembled it again, I tried it, but this also failed. My Amphibia, still runs like the superhero Flash. So... any idea how can I fix it or I destroyed it permanently?

[@KrishanSedov]

Hi, tbh I dont really know what to do. Maybe open it and try to dry out the parts inside, or you could maybe let it stop and dont wind it for a while then try it again. There might be an answer somewhere on the internet or you could try to call a watch service shop or something like that.

[@Murtagh653]

i doubt it was destroyed permanently, but you should send it to a watchmaker to repair it properly, it's likely that all the parts need to be disassembled and cleaned (properly, there are special machines for this, don't do it at home) and then reassembled, with the watchmaker placing a TINY amount of lubricant in the correct spots. if you watch any video of a watch restoration or a professional fixing a watch, you'll see that they only place a TINY amount of lubricant in certain spots, and it is a specialised lubricant designed for watches, not WD40.

[@gitmoholliday5764]

Another trick is winding the crown like a slip wrench, you don't need to turn the crown 360° going back and forth 180° would wind it also.

[@AnonOrange]

To prevent over-winding and save mainspring wear, I also wind like a slip wrench, but count the times. Usually, 20 cranks is good for 24 hours. From a dead stop, it takes about 25 cranks. It will run for 24 + 8 hours with a full crank. So with 20 cranks, I'm good for 24 hours.

[@Cowmookaze]

@@AnonOrange How does one define a crank? A full rotation of the crown?

[@josepabloduran9140]

@@Cowmookaze what your index and thumb can get just a krank

[@1dimtim]

you can get a glass back for them as well, i got one and love it!!!

[@paulwilson3434]

That is SO Cool 😎 you make AR 15 ! I think Vostok so sturdy and rugged

[@Wylder955]

You should check out their new line the "650" Komandriskie they seem pretty sweet.

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

Those do look nice! Thanks!

[@ZeginMakesMusic]

You don't need to go slightly past the 12 to adjust the date. As soon as you hear the click go right back to 9:00 and then back to 12:00 and then back to 9:00 and then back to 12:00. That seems to work like a charm

[@deifieddata4462]

That date set is a good tip. Spent forever setting the date on mine

[@siamwatchaddict9072]

Thanks for the tips .I have 2 amphibia's150 /710 .And a standard Komandirske. I have just ordered the Komandirske K-34 GMT .Looking forward to reviewing that model..

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

Nice! Can't wait to see that K-34.

[@BionicMerlin]

The instructions for my automatic Tradition (Sears) date watch I had in the 70's told me to set the date exactly like how you did it.

[@jimmyschiel3863]

Love them thanks for the tricks. If you have a decent meter you can regulate them to +-7 seconds easily. The bar on the balance is tricky though so be careful. The balance is made to take a hell of a shock because of it's wobble so you lose a little accuracy but gain in durability. The AK-47 of watches. The wobble on the crown is also made to protect the stem and internal parts if dropped while setting or winding. I own many they're a working man's watch for a working man. The ladies watches are very nice as well. I have been after Vostok to make a pink face or something with the diver logo called the Scuba Chick, rather than the Scuba Dude. We need to lobby them. Why let Sieko get all the female diver business?

[@sebastianriemer1777]

I got one in the early 90s. It's a great watch but the sharp edge of the bezel is a true shirt cuff killer.

[@roberts.9903]

Excellent vid! I just picked up a vintage Komandirskie on Ebay. You had a lot of information I was looking for! About the hand winding, ball park how many back & forth winds would be safe if watch was stopped? Or can spring only be wound in one direction? Regards Robert

[@bunberrier]

Excellent idea about the date change

[@WUDN-WatchUDontNeed]

Thanks for this video! I have a watch almost identical to this one. I too got it from a relative (my uncle) who traveled to the USSR in 1986. It’s from Soviet times (it says made in the Soviet Union) so I’m not gonna mod it. I made a review on my channel. Enjoyed this video, thanks!

[@jackroom834]

Did you say the watch is from the 90's? If so, in your opinion do you think Vostoks last just as long as brands like seiko, citizen, etc? Because I got my Vostok earlier this year and was just wondering if it will last me.

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

Jack, I'd say so. They should last as long as any other well know watch brand so long as the watch is properly maintained. I've owed Vostok from the 70s and 80s (manual wind) as they were all functioning properly.

[@jackroom834]

Neal Rogers thanks, I'll look forward to many happy years wearing my Vostok!

[@jsdhesmith2011]

Had mine for going on 7 years now and not one problem except the glass getting scratched from work and the lume kinda sucks but that's about it. Never lets me down. And shit, even if it does stop on me I'll replace it with another because it's so cheap. I plan on getting another one soon, so many different styles to choose from. Oh and I forgot, the strap sucked dick, the metal one that came with it, so replace it with whatever you fancy and tour good. For the price what do you expect.

[@pacocandano]

Probably will outlast them!

[@linebacker79]

They are the AK47 of watches. Last a lifetime. Plus google parts for them. Relatively simple to fix/hack/maintain.

[@neilpiper9889]

generally automatic watches that hand wind have a clutch to prevent over winding. Komandirskie is not automatic so when you hand wind, stop when you feel extra resistance.

[@TheKrakovv]

some of them are automatic

[@duartesimoes508]

Extra resistance and different sound. They come up at the same time.

[@-----REDACTED-----]

So what about automatic kommandirskies?

[@neilpiper9889]

@@-----REDACTED----- The automatic Komandurskies are the same as the Amphibias

[@FitOutPost]

Great tricks, my friend. Thank you.

[@linebacker79]

That watch looks brand new. Good video.

[@ranzalk]

that was useful, thank you!

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

Your welcome!

[@AT-AT-AT-AT]

very informative, mate! thanks for sharing.

[@joteord]

Hi, thanks for your video, very useful to me since I am going to own a Vostok (first one!), subscribed

[@alan4cars]

Nice video and good info. I have many watches but really enjoy wearing my Vostok. Mine happens to be super accurate.

[@jcxme]

Thank you for everything!

[@nativlokyy3113]

The day-saving tip😁👍

[@wainedodd8055]

It's a Genuine Space watch. A Soviet cosmonaut took one up. And used it in the Russian space Station. It kept working fine.

[@themaker1000000]

Thank you

[@eeyyaakk6801]

hi there, can you make a video showing how to remove dial and movement from the case? thank you

[@joes.4328]

awesome, thanks

[@tomthompson3940]

Good information! Does it keep decent time?

[@erichhonecker8548]

Mine seems to fall 30 seconds behind each day. Is there a way to fix that or make an adjustment?

[@florencediveri9057]

I've just bought a Kommandirskie which stopped working after 14 days. I would it up and only looked at it a few hours later to discover it'd stopped after 3 hours. The eBay seller insisted he has nothing to do with this problem and my local watchmaker said it needs to be sent away for repairs at a few hundred pounds!!! It's not the money I'm upset about but the fact that I I really like this watch...

[@emiliojt6289]

Very interesting video!!

[@Bob.martens]

Ballistol is also good to rub on mosquito bites.

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

Nice! :D

[@CbI4]

Another feature: when you drop the watches it stops second hand on a second. You can try it by hitting it to you other hand (on your own risk).

[@paradox_1729]

How do I know what Bezel upgrade I can get for the K-65 Komandirskie? This is the 24 hour komansirskie with 200m water resistance. How does one know if a bezel would fit a vostok?

[@giuseppeclemente4941]

great tips, thank you. Do you know how to replace the plastic cover ?

[@BoogurTWang]

Thanks ans Stay Safe!

[@Niamhcotts]

Yep i hack mine the same way. Great vid sir.

[@tombryan1]

great tips! thanks!

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them

[@solstar4778]

Where in the USA do you get the Vostok. Repaired ?

[@CybertroninfiniteOfficial]

This is the exact condition and model I bought this vostok on ebay

[@Mr1961Apache]

i have one like that one in video just the face plate is gold not green its in bad shape but still run's fine

[@SlotsSlotsSlots1]

They have great genuine mesh straps on ebay! 😍 love mine i just received only £19

[@dub537h5]

You can turn the time past 1am, then back before 9pm, then back past 1am to quick change the date.

[@MateusViccari]

About the winding process... I don't fell any difference when it's near fully wound. Yesterday I was winding it and I heard a different, louder click sound and immediately stopped. The watch is still ticking and apparently it's still winding, hope it remains like that.

[@MrZZooh]

Dial looks like Heiniken.

[@Grayfox988]

I've just serviced my 2416b movement Vostok. There I noticed you only need to go back exactly three hours (9PM) for the rapid date change mechanism to reset. On mine the date wheel noticeably jolts a little when it resets, but maybe only because it's freshly oiled. I'm not entirely sure if this applies to hand-wound 2414 movements too, but I think they should have the exact same parts for the date complication.

[@tr03adam]

Where did you service it?

[@zbigniewgurak8261]

Some (older) hand-wound 2414 movements don't even have this primitive "quick date change" feature (you have to turn movement 24 hours CW manually to change date by one day)

[@genekelly8467]

I have several Russian watches..most have luminous dials/hands-they stay bright for a few minutes after exposure to strong light-but then fade fast-is this normal? They all run well...but I did lose one (stopped after I dropped it). Great video!

[@drmartini3438]

Brasso will get fine scratches out and will bring the crystal back to 'out of the box' clarity.

[@busybird7149]

I don't own a vostok yet, but I'm saving this for future reference. Any suggestions on what type to get or where to get them from? I've seen them for sale on amazon, and I've heard meranom is a great place to get them.

[@m.l.861]

Really great and informative video--everything was pretty well explained. Just a question, how often should one wind a Vostok? Should it be everyday or every other day? I recently (within the last week-and-a-half) bought two and the one that I use less seems to stop or slow down by entire hours! It still ticks but I find it being way behind than my primary one. Also, how does one know if it has been overwound?

[@ak47980]

VOSTOK = ROLEX ROLEX = VOSTOK

[@jellyg.8961]

Ballistol is not sold where I live, what other lubricant or cleaner can be used for removing small scratches. I have two Komandirskies and the both have accumulated lots of small scratches. Nice video btw.

[@Synic08]

Any other ways that I can maybe break my movement without opening the case..? Your chocked full.

[@freqeist]

I love mine.

[@shawnsears7590]

Setting a Vostock to atomic clock time sounds like the punch line to a joke.

[@lacowie]

I completely modded my vostok hands included and the biggest PITA was putting that fucking wire back.Everytime time the bezel was either super loose so I could snap it off only with my fingers or I wasnt able to insert it at all.I was bending 3 different wires at the time and I finally got it right with just perfect tension.Took me 1 hour god damn it! And lets not talk about an incident a few month back when I realized I just lost my whole aftermarket bezel with bezel insert while wearing it and just doing some shopping downtown fuck me hahaaa

[@dgomes265]

Great video. Just received my new Amphibia and the date is stuck between 23 and 24. And will not advance despite turning the hands several days ahead and backwards. Any thoughts thanks

[@ryanthrelfall1456]

If your watch isn't keeping time it could be a cannon pinion.

[@Reviews4fun1]

My lume dots fell off so I need to pop it open and service it. Annoying for such a “robust” watch to need service in under a year.

[@pericodelospalotes5738]

Bad luck, it is not usual at all

[@louislombardelli1691]

atomic clock they are + or - 60 seconds a day

[@gibsonlespaul4651]

Интересно, сколько стоят командирские в США? Много людей их покупают? Спасибо

[@johnlanger7852]

I suspect you don't mean .2 inch wire that is 1/5 of an inch which is huge compared to that wire dia.

[@furiousseasons1]

I love the Amphibia I picked up a couple months ago. The only complaint is the crown sometimes is temperamental about screwing back in. Is there a lubricant I could use to help the threads catch any easier? Or would this possibly damage the water tight seal?

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

Furious Seasons You could use a silicone grease for watch seals to help lubricate the threads. You can also use plumbers silicone faucet grease. Make sure its not petroleum based. You could also buy a replacement crown for around $5.

[@steampunkvampyre]

how do I use the bezel? thanks

[@dicniancian]

Did the date trick to my Amphibia at around 9:30pm, just when I forgot there's some kind of 'rule' saying that mechanical watches should avoid setting the date/time between 9pm to 1am. Googled a bit it seems to be related to the quickset feature many mechanical watches have. But Vostok do not I suppose? Safe to ignore the 'rule'?

[@vonivata]

coolboykan the rule applies to “quick date setting” so you can ignore the rule because the Vostok has no “quick setting” of date.

[@unregistredhypercam]

Isn't it bad to turn the hands backwards like that?

[@StormEnnairo]

It is the official Heineken watch ?

[@davidc9488]

Is that a screwdown crown?

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

Yes it is.

[@nonobebert7646]

Do you think I Can play golf with my Amphibia ?

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

I honestly think you could. You may be forced to regulate it a bit more often because of the added motion and shock. But most likely it would it wouldn't be affected too much. I say go for it!

[@nonobebert7646]

@@HeartofTexasArmory Thanks for the answer. What does tecnically antishock means for a watch ?

[@HeartofTexasArmory]

@@nonobebert7646 Check this video out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eF6tfqKLpLKnjtE

[@nonobebert7646]

@@HeartofTexasArmory Thanks

[@superdarke314]

Probably a shot in the dark, but has anyone had an Amphibia that doesn't do the hacking seconds trick?

[@natebaumgartner9958]

Boss, I am curious what kind/brand of silicon grease would you suggest/prefer? Thanks.

[@zzyzxzee6374]

Nate Baumgartner no grease, ever!

[@ussling]

A short spritz of Mothers VLR (vinyl, leather, rubber) from the auto parts store or, ugh, Walmart will condition the rubber gasket.

[@Bartee98]

Watchmakers grease, you can get it here : www.esslinger.com/watchmakers-silicone-grease-for-gaskets/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwzozsBRCNARIsAEM9kBO6aEyx2i03y29pHWUjDrNLE6cHr0c0xzQlKphsnWyDY32Z-cYGEm0aAtqKEALw_wcB##

[@manuelmikewa388]

Can you actually use WD40 to buff out scratches? I've tried toothpaste and it didn't work at all

[@markgrieves1307]

Use Brasso or silver polish in wadding. Whatever you use on your car works. That's just for the crystal only though. Go easy if it's the case and made of coated alloy.

[@tomasinacovell4293]

Is Ballistol "smelly", have an odor, does it go away?

[@pericodelospalotes5738]

Don't use it, just dry tooth paste

[@adamp3223]

So isn't it technically the *only* hacking watch, then? Because they didn't think about you doing it when they made it, but you still can if you know how.

[@josuet4805]

👍

[@robertbackus1196]

Show us !

[@jeffreydahmer3995]

You don’t even have to go to 8:00, just 9:00

[@zbigniewgurak8261]

Quick date change by moving hands between 24:00 and 20:00 back and forth is not a "hack". It's Wostok engineers way to have "quick" date change. (Real old Komandirskie "with the same movement" don't have this feature and they need CRANKING!)

[@donkon1718]

Backwards pressure = “back-hack”