Vostok watch review, are they any good?

[@oliverfasola19]

I wore one while having an accident on a dirt bike; I dislocated my shoulder but the watch was fine

[@DavidUKesb]

That 2nd hand black face Komandirskie is more than 20 years old! It was made in the USSR which disbanded in 1991. It's a 1980s watch and more desirable than a standard Kom from that period because it was made 'by special order of the Ministry of Defence of the USSR', which is what is written below 17 jewels.

[@papawoody9597]

The AK-47 of watches. Simple, not pretty, reliable, unmistakably Russian, cheap and easy to mod, and more accurate than most people think.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Haven’t seen these reviewed often (since I have not searched), so nice to see an honest review. Thanks for sharing.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Wow you caught this video late lol, as one of my earliest videos. Anyways thanks for watching. You going to check out Rob’s Sunday Funday sale?

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

@@canadianwatchmonkey3992 I’ll check that video out now. Have a good one bud.

[@StevenMRSenior]

I bought the red no date komandierski about a month ago. I put it on a red/white stripe nato strap and it looks phenomenal. I also bought black dial with red scuba dude amphibia at the same time. I changed the bezel for a black/red seiko style flat “coke” bezel and fitted a black/red striped nato strap and it also looks great. These are the first mods I have done to any of my watches and I am now hooked.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

great choice!

[@kevinorr6880]

I'd like to see the modsvthat you did as I am just at the very beginning of modding and Vostok.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

@@kevinorr6880 here is a link to a vostok group that does mods. facebook.com/groups/1725224864397849/?ref=share

[@StevenMRSenior]

@@kevinorr6880 I don’t know how to do that. I think I would have to make my own video and post it on youtube

[@johnjoyner8172]

I hv a 2021 Komandirski 350749 that after three wonderful months of on the wrist the crystal semi a missing. I am having trouble getting a replacement crystal . Maybe you could be of some help what and how I can order thank you for your great little video from a beginner Vostok and mechanical watch

[@dunderhay9169]

A fair assessment and good introduction to the world of Vostok 🙂

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Thanks. I did miss a few things that I should have mentioned like the purpose for using an acrylic glass thats domed the way it is and the reason for the case back design. It actually gets compressed and changes shape to aid in the water resistance. Also with regards to mods I didn’t mention about all the different faces and hands that can be changed out easily.

[@dunderhay9169]

@@canadianwatchmonkey3992 You could go on and on, but as an introduction I thought you did well. If you get people interested they can always look into it more, or you could do a follow up in more detail 👍

[@jhinkyish]

vostok watches seem to be a great value. thank you for making this video where can I learn more about changing bezels and other parts to customize it?

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

I’ve provided a link. eBay also has plenty

[@andrerobertdrouin3642]

Try turning a bezel with neoprene gloves , you will appreciate this non click design as it is in all cases stif and stays where you turned it ,remember the 200 m is not depth but pressure

[@Robin6512]

i have 4 off them. after a little tinkering mine run around 5 secs a day fast. i love these things. updated the hands with proper c3 hands

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

These watches are great.

[@chadlewis4302]

Best Vostok review I have yet to see, and I have seen a lot.

[@Runco990]

I remember buying a bunch of these in Berlin shortly after the wall came down. $10 a pop! Still have them. Same with my Buran chronograph.... which has reached just stupid prices on ebay. I miss the days when you got these at swapmeets all day long.

[@BCallum]

Nice collection! I am a Vostok fan. Next is a GMT version. Thanks for the video!!! Cheers from the other side of Canada!!!

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

That GMT is very hard to get. I’m also on the search for one

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Sorry for the late reply, thank you for the kind words.

[@StevenMRSenior]

I’m wearing the no date red komandierski watching this video. I purchased this and a black faced red scuba dude amphibia last week. Total price paid about £110 with the bracelets and a rubber strap for each. I have also ordered a nato strap for each. I bought the no date versions so I don’t have to mess about setting them.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Truly a great value!

[@Lobzik67]

You should buy Seiko for this money .my opinion.NH35 is a great movement.

[@StevenMRSenior]

@@Lobzik67 that price is for both and the extras. In house mechanical movement. (Admittedly basic and very old design ). There is no way you can buy a mechanical seiko for that price. It would have to be quartz. I do have a number of other watches which use NH35 movement however which were similar price range.

[@bri13wvu1]

3:45, yes, I've found that, because of the wobbly crown, you need to pull it outward as you wind or set the time, to avoid it crashing into the crown tube threads and potentially damaging them.

[@jrbj2000]

I have many of the Vostok’s. They’re actually pretty accurate. I’ve had one that I had to adjust but other than that no issues. Even my 1980’s one is keeping time really great. Not sure why people knock them.

[@grm9495]

I bought a vostok komandriskie with the jet and ship on the dial for 20 euros. The reason why it's crazy cheap is because they told me it's broken and you can't wind it anymore. So i decided to bring it in a repair watch shop and they told me it'll cost me 90 euros to just make it run... I i ended up fixing it myself, it was just a loose screw needed to be tightened up, and it all works fine now. I'm so happy to add my very first mechanical watch. I'm still an amateur on the watch game so I'm starting on cheap watches.

[@noice9709]

Neat video and cool watches, including that Poljat! You're right, it's hard to find an in-house automatic for around $100. Maybe the Seiko SNK809, but it only has 30 meters of water resistance compared to the Amphibia's 200m. Fun YT channel name, btw! : ) Monkey see, monkey do ... Now so many others who watch this video are going to "join the cult." I love my 420 case Amphibia with a 380 dial - that's the one with a black dial, date at 6 o'clock, and the scuba dude in orange in the center of the dial with lots of Russian script below, more script on a scuba dude than any other I've seen, just adds to the charm.

[@younusimam-thesalamproject6340]

Ive worn mine for 3 years now. Loving it. Im really considering a green or black version of the blue wave dial you have, love the lightplay. What are your thoughts on it?

[@nakedlakedip57]

Have two owned them for 10 years not an issue , just changed out the metal bands for quality leather

[@britishamerican4321]

Interesting! Right, Russian watches are quirky as hell. I want one.

[@pompeylad1977]

What a great video, very interesting indeed, I’ve recently found Vostok watches for the first time and am very interested to know more about the brand and the models, thanks for all the info, the wobbly crown and date change is fascinating. Thanks

[@dodgydruid]

I am hoping to start work on my Molnija Reglateur this week, it has a deep snapped stem and a lovely three separate driven hands drawn from conversion of a pocket watch into a wrist watch, stunning looking beastie.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Would love to see before and after pics!

[@miaobrunelle1673]

just bought one and I’m happy

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Love Vostok watches!

[@brianmsahin]

Great review and I really want one! The quirkiness is just something special. I really want to get one of the yellow dial komandirskies but they're all out of stock at the moment unfortunately! İt's a pity about the bezel, particularly as the guys at Beyond the Press channel tested one in their pressure chamber and it survived to an amazing 80 bar before stopping! İt's a really tough watch.👍👍 I wonder is it possible to put a clicky bezel on it? Probably not!

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Did you try eBay to find a yellow dial ? Just make sure before purchasing to check the sellers feedback history. Also do consider joining a Vostok facebook group. As far as I know their is no ratcheting bezel modification.

[@brianmsahin]

@@canadianwatchmonkey3992 Thanks for the advice. I will take a look on eBay and keep to the trusted sellers. Much appreciated!! 👍👍

[@lufasumafalu5069]

russian are known for toughness

[@markw-2025]

I bought two, the first, 650539 (GMT Komandirskie), is awesome, a keeper. However, I just purchased the tank dialed Komandirskie, automatic. It jingled inside like loose change a day after I got it. So, plan on spending 2x the amount for every one that works. I no longer am in the market, even though there are some on my waiting list with Meranom.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

I’m fortunate, I own 6 and all are working great 😊

[@metaldetectingthenortheast1294]

Case back design is called a bag o bloc Case which is a French acronym for sealed with a ring. Now who came up with it first French or Russians I don't know for sure. However, Fench company francois miserez a manufacturer of cases in besançon advertised bagbloc cases. They actually made some of them in gold plated version for export watches of Poljot ,1st moscow watch factory, in the early 1960s before the Soviets had gold plating methods perfected. 2nd Moscow had some cooperation with the French and had a facility in Besançon. Swiss wouldn't help the Soviets. I Would suspect that the design found its way back to Russia from France.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Thanks for the bit of history.

[@lewisg06]

The movement is as accurate as a Rolex!! Test it and see!

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

If you regulate it definitely

[@ger27290]

J'ai une dizaine de vostok dans ma collection...j'en suis amoureux ;))

[@komandirskie4u]

Nice bezel!

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Thanks!

[@alexandrugrecov8964]

Yes they are good, period :)) I have one and I am happy with it.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

They are great watches!

[@greenwoodsdesignofficial]

I’m looking to get a komandirskie, and meranon looks like the best place to buy from, are they the company you bought yours from? (If they were, what was your experience of buying from them)

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

II have not purchased from Meranon but I have heard good things about them. My purchases were from Ebay and a private seller in my Vostok group. Before purchasing I would highly recommend you join a facebook Vostok group. The individual I purchased from sells plenty. Just join the group and search up Marina Salakhova.

[@technogong]

Id be willing to pay an extra 100 quid for a classic vostok anphibia with a 120 click bezel, proper lume and hacking. it would be my ideal watch.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

i'm sure somebody has done it

[@britishamerican4321]

Would love to own a Red Army-issue watch.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Can be found for sure but need a trusted seller that won’t sell you a fake. Good luck with your search.

[@britishamerican4321]

@@canadianwatchmonkey3992 Good advice, thanks a lot.

[@rdj2398]

Do check out hmt watches, they are soon to go out of production

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Very cool affordable watches, are they reliable?

[@geddstock]

I bought my amphibia direct from Russia 2years ago for £40 inc post. I still love it,such an interesting brand and people always ask about it. Makes for a good talking point when my bullshit runs dry😂

[@knighttemplar7617]

I have Vostok watches from early 50,s onward all work we'll my daily is a cheap Vostok.

[@dodgydruid]

Oh the Komandirskie you have there is the desirable "Zakas" version, these were never sold outside of Russian military bases and some suggest the quality of the Zakas models was a little higher. Zakas MO CCCP stands for "By order of the Ministry of Defence of the USSR", the holy grails in Soviet watches is finding a Soviet MoD issued 090 or 710, todays Russian special forces watches are Ratnik's, still Vostok powered with their super 2416b automatic movement but fitted into a 060-esque case which is brown PVD coated and comes with a special camouflage wrap that the watch slips into. Zlatoust diving watches are also Vostok powered and these are the original "Russian diver". Finally, a really really rare grail Vostok is the 119 300m diver watch, buyer beware as lots of fake-o's of these out there... think the funniest Vostok I own is a 1970s Vostok Commander that someone disguised to look identical to a Luch quartz... I was going to break it for the valuable 2234 movement but it runs superbly and I paid £2.50 for it with free postage O.o Good case, good crystal, superb movement... so its still in its disguised state and I wear it often to meets hehe.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

Thank you for the great information, greatly appreciate anytime I can learn more about these fantastic Russian watches.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

If you want to get into modding of Vostoks this is a great facebook group facebook.com/groups/1725224864397849/?ref=share

[@DavidUKesb]

Vostok are proof that most watches are massively overpriced and a triumph of lifestyle marketing.

[@Lobzik67]

Just worn watch collectors.Vostok watches are good if made in USSR.Contemporary Vostok's are piece of junk.Have few in my collection cases 090 ,and 070 .Last month after 2 years not every day usage watches stopped one by one.Disappointed.

[@canadianwatchmonkey3992]

As far as I know all Vostok watches are made in Christopol Russia I have heard of some having issues but I have not thus far.