Looking for a classy but not expensive watch, something that will stand out...
looking at soviet watches, they seem different.....
Steve
looking at soviet watches, they seem different.....
Steve
Anyone Own Or Know About Vostok or Soviet Watches ?
- Thread starter sunburyboy93
- Start date
Personal opinion:
Post-Soviet, mass-market Vostok watches are not as reliable or well made as they used to be. The case's plating tends to wear off quickly and the movements are easily overwound. They do produce some higher end models which, I am informed, are much more rugged.
Genuine Soviet era watches seem to be of higher quality. I have a Soviet era Vostok 24hr sweep watch that still keeps accurate time and is often worn as a 'daily driver'.
Post-Soviet, mass-market Vostok watches are not as reliable or well made as they used to be. The case's plating tends to wear off quickly and the movements are easily overwound. They do produce some higher end models which, I am informed, are much more rugged.
Genuine Soviet era watches seem to be of higher quality. I have a Soviet era Vostok 24hr sweep watch that still keeps accurate time and is often worn as a 'daily driver'.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks Mate,
Just after a classy looking watch but dont want to spend loads of cash.....some of the casio duro watches look good, i have a nice Breitling style black leather strap so just after somthing to go with it...
I would stay away from the Vostok. The Poljot are better. There is new management and the new owner is trying to upgrade things a bit. I have heard good things about those. Most of them are made from old Swiss Machinery they bought from the Swiss when they upgraded their movements. As I recall the Vostoks aren't really russian anymore. I think they are made in one of the former republics like Lithuenia or one of those.
As part of my watch collection, I have a Vostok K3 Submarine Automatic. Its a good watch, is quite tough and is water resistant. Timekeeping is not incredibly accurate (consistent with cheaper automatic movements in general). For the price, its not bad. I picked up mine from Red Army Watches in Singapore. Its been going for 2 years now. Not a single problem.
I bought a poljot aviator about 8 years ago with the 3133 movement. Manual wind. Great watch, SS case. I don't know how they are doing now. I know that they are partnering with German firms and are selling for twice as much as I paid. I think it is a good bet.
OTOH, I know use a Tissot Seamaster1000 automatic, daily and I bought it on the web from a vendor several years ago for about $400. Very nice watch and that brand would be my choice for approx the same money.
OTOH, I know use a Tissot Seamaster1000 automatic, daily and I bought it on the web from a vendor several years ago for about $400. Very nice watch and that brand would be my choice for approx the same money.
Why not buy an Orient? Funny thing is that Soviet citizens (I am an ex) were more than unhappy with both Poliot and Vostok and Orient became their mainstay a few decades ago. Orient is just another Seiko line, AFAIK, and they not only look nice, but are rugged to boot. Last time I stopped at Vostok booth it was manned by Armenians and they behaved like an owner would. As pointed out above I can believe the brand was sold and is made elsewhere.
Invicta is another great brand, although mostly quartz. I have a few and all I can say is that I play soccer games wearing one, still ticking and accurate after years of severe abuse. Go to ShopNBC.com, they have a decent selection and prices and if you catch them running a sale some prices are simply incredible.
Invicta is another great brand, although mostly quartz. I have a few and all I can say is that I play soccer games wearing one, still ticking and accurate after years of severe abuse. Go to ShopNBC.com, they have a decent selection and prices and if you catch them running a sale some prices are simply incredible.
I have to second Riddick on the Invictas, they make great watches that perform, and look well above their price point. I am a fan of their automatic movements, it is a Japanese automatic, so it is not quite as smooth as the Swiss autos (though they do make a swiss auto as well, but its $300-$400). They are accurate, and it's the same movement as is in alot of the Seiko kinetics IIRC. I would look at the Pro Diver #8932, very classy looking and they can be had for under $80.
The only issue with Invicta is their customer service is pretty much 0. If you buy one pray it doesn't need any warranty service because if it does all the luck in the world won't help you.
Between myself, my wife and my mother in law we have probably at least a dozen different Invictas, so far no problem at all with any. I am not arguing, simply pointing out that having an issue with any Russian made watch is a much higher probability than with Invicta or any other non-Russian made watch. And come to think of it, I know of no Russian, not even one, who actually owns a Russian made watch or would consider buying one. IMO, any low end Japanese movement watch is a big step up from any Russian made watch whether made in the Soviet era or these days.
Just my take, I am sure there are other opinions.
Just my take, I am sure there are other opinions.
"In soviet union, watch wears you!"
+1 for Orient. I am wearing one now and I like it quite a bit. They can be had for as low as $52.99 at Amazon for a good looking automatic. That is hard to beat.
http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1256660492/ref=sr_st?rs=377110011&page=1&bbn=377110011&rh=n%3A377110011%2Cn%3A%21378516011%2Cp_4%3AOrient&sort=price
Dave
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