Experience with Vostok Komandirskie Manual Wind Watches?

[jones2289]

Obviously, these are low-end watches, typically between $35 - $50. The specific model I like is below:

http://chistopolcity.com/product.php?id_product=422

I've checked the watch forums, and while there are plenty who say they're reliable, there are also plenty of naysayers.

Could anyone who has a Vostok please share their experiences, especially with the 2414 manual wind movement? How reliable / durable are the watches, and do they keep good time?

This would be my first non-Quartz watch, and while it's not going to make a huge impact on my budget, I don't want to waste money if it's only going to last 6 months.

 

[little Big feather]

What do you expect at that price?
Russians with money buy Swiss.....The Chinese even fake Russian watches, I read on some forum...
The Chinese buy Swiss..

 

[Krona Kruiser]

I think they're cool novelty watches. I've read that they work well and there's a cult following among them but for that price point I'd save a few more bucks and get an Orient, Seiko, or Citizen.

 

[jones2289]

What do you expect at that price?
Russians with money buy Swiss.....The Chinese even fake Russian watches, I read on some forum...
The Chinese buy Swiss..

Fair enough. I have been thinking about getting a nicer one, but as I've never consistenly worn a watch, I thought I'd get a cheap knockaround watch to see if I'll actually stick with wearing it.

 

[malocchio]

These are great looking watches...for $30 plus shipping and a one year warranty,I think it is worth a chance...I love this one ...

 

[Haggises]

I've been wearing an ebay-bought Komandirskie for the last 2 months, almost non stop.
Keeps relatively good time, especially if I wind it twice a day.
Love my little submarine!
You can pick them up for as low as 15 bucks at times.....

 

[global_dev]

I picked mine up in far East Russia for some rubles. It worked great and I wound it every morning without issue. Don't know what happened to it though... I lost it somewhere

 

[SAFETYpin]

I have an automatic Vostock Amphia that I really enjoy and works great. I've worn it semi frequently for the last two years and haven't had any issue with it at all. It's a inexpensive time piece and when you start to really analyze it you'll find tons of flaws or cost conscious parts, but it works, its mechanical, it keeps time and it has some interesting history.

 

[Nosduj]

I think they're decent, but for the money I would buy a vintage Vostok before buying a new one.

 

[Legion]

I think they're decent, but for the money I would buy a vintage Vostok before buying a new one.

Owning a vintage Vostok, I wouldn't buy another, or a new one for that matter. They are a bit of a fun novelty, but to say they are rough is being generous. I bought mine because I liked the CCCP look of it, the Cyrillic logo, and all that, but it is probably the most unrefined watch I have ever used. I have no reason to believe the new ones are much better.

For less money you could buy a Chinese mechanical watch which is better made.

 

[Maduro 5]

They are notoriously inaccurate and unreliable.

 

[Luc]

I bought one maybe 10 years ago. The wrist band undid itself once and the watch fell on the floor (Ceramic). The 1,493 pieces went flying in the air and that was the end of it. I had the watch for around 5-6 months. It worked well while it work but other than that, it didn't take much for it to die.

 

[shaveitoff]

I picked up an Amhibia last fall. I put it on a nylon band and it looks fine. The metal bands that come with the watch have a reputation for being crap. This has the automatic movement. At first it ran fairly fast - gaining about 25 seconds per day. Not it gains about 5 seconds per day.

I'd say get the automatic and enjoy. You aren't buying a Rolex, but for the low cost, it is a fun watch. I will have no worries if it gets a few dings on it!

 

[Ruslan]

These are great looking watches...for $30 plus shipping and a one year warranty,I think it is worth a chance...I love this one ...

Its WATCH VOSTOK KOMANDIRSKIE 439553 POGRANICHNIE (description by http://russian-sales.com/collection/komandirskie/watch-vostok-komandirskie-819553-pogranichnie/ )

Symbols on the clock-face:


Specifically for this model, the watch was renamed from “Komandirskie” (Commander’s) to “Pogranichnie” (Border).


In the central part of the face there is an artistic composition – a green figured shield with a red five-pointed star. Behind the shield there are crossed swords, a border post with the emblem of the USSR, and the national flag of Russia going beyond the left and right sides of the shield. The composition is framed with two laurel branches.


Below the composition there is the name of the watch – “Pogranichnie”, and the nameplate of the watch factory “Vostok”.


Under the six-hour point is – the inscription: “Made in Russia”.


The time points are made in the form of faceted golden plates attached to the surface of the face.


Red five-pointed star is the emblem of the Soviet and Russian Armies, an ancient symbol of protection and power.


Green is the traditional color of the Border Troops uniform. The extension of Russian land border is 13,747 miles ( 22,125 kilometers), so it is not surprising that green has become the “calling card” of first Soviet and then Russian border guards.


Crossed swords is the most common symbol of the armed struggle. Orientation of the sword-edges down symbolizes the memory of the military exploits and the memory of the fallen.


The shield with crossed swords is a symbol of reliable protection of the state borders.


The border post is the eternal symbol of the border. Red and green are the colors of the border post of modern Russia, a heritage from the Soviet Union. Green symbolizes greatness, glory, honor, loyalty and perfection. Red – bravery, courage, fearlessness, law, power and generosity.


Russian tricolor symbolizes the following: the white stripe – peace, purity, chastity; the blue – faith, loyalty and truth; the red – constancy, energy, strength, courage and blood shed for the Fatherland.


A laurel wreath is a symbol of glory, victory and peace.


On the back cover (caseback) of stainless steel there is an image of the Russian Federation State Emblem. It is circumferentially surrounded by embossed inscription detached by two stars: “RUSSIA” “WATERPROOF”.


The bracelet is made of genuine leather. The stiffening ribs, stamped on the bracelet, increase its life and make it more comfortable to wear.


Since 1965, this mechanical watch has won recognition and trust due to its high accuracy, surplus stocks of reliability and resistance to environmental stress.


Vostok Komandirskie were designed by Russian engineers for use in extremely harsh environments, where there is often no capacity for competent service of the mechanism. At the core of the watch are a reliable shock resistant mechanism,a dust and waterproof case and a special spherical glass.


During “Operation Desert Storm” U.S. military appreciated the practicality of this watch. Ten thousand copies of Vostok Komandirskie with commemorative symbols were made for the participants of the Operation under Ministry of Defense’s order. These watches are valuable relics, kept today in many American families.

Read more: http://russian-sales.com/product-category/watches/

 

[Neognosis]

I think it's neat, and for under 40 dollars, why not? Even if it lasts just a few months, it's still cool.


Vat you vant, yankeee? Is vatch. Is keeping time, is cheap, is made by RRRRusssian peoples in factory. You buy vatch now, eh?

 

[timebomb]

I have an automatic Vostock Amphia that I really enjoy and works great. I've worn it semi frequently for the last two years and haven't had any issue with it at all. It's a inexpensive time piece and when you start to really analyze it you'll find tons of flaws or cost conscious parts, but it works, its mechanical, it keeps time and it has some interesting history.

View attachment 301364

I've been wanting one of these mainly because of Life Aquatic.