Russian watches, Poljot / Vostok - opinions?

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

I see these run for under $100.00 and have some heritage to them CCCP and all. It seems you could buy a couple that look quite different and have a real conversation piece. Or are there other Russian watches with a better rep?

Weigh in here if you have some feedback -

 

[oc_in_fw]

My only opinion on Russian watches is that you can get them cheap, but servicing them will be hard and expensive. They do make some beauties, though

 

[cstone28]

Captain didn't you just buy an Orient? I smell an addiction in the making.

Sorry I can't add any value on Russian watches, but there are a few people here who can.

 

[Legion]

I have a vintage soviet era Vostok divers watch. To be honest, it is pretty rough. Doesn't keep great time, and is in no way waterproof any more, if it ever was. But it is a bit like an AK-47, you can be as tough on it as you want, fill it with water and mud. Never spend a moment servicing it, and it will still work.

Really, you can get a better finished, and more accurate Chinese self winder for the same money. These are just an interesting conversation piece, as you say.

 

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Captain didn't you just buy an Orient? I smell an addiction in the making.

SHHHHHHHH!!!!!


Actually I have a friend of mine - yes, a close friend of mine - he, ummm... well he was hoping I could find out more for him. So I'm trying to do him a favor and would only pass on the information to him... for HIS benefit you know. Cough, cough...

​

 

[SAFETYpin]

I own a Vostok Amphia mine is commonly called the Steve Zissou as its the same watch Bill Murray wore in The Life Aquatica. Its been a fantastic watch, keeps good time and always starts. The down side is the bezel is cheap and the crown appears to be a stamped sheet metal cap pressed on, in general its a cheap watch. With that said I still look at other models regularly and will most likely buy another. At the same price point I like my Seiko SNK809 a lot more. My next Russian will be a 24hr movement, most likely a Raketa or possibly a Gagarin anniversary watch. So many neat watches, so little time?

 

[Loveelvin]

I have one... My honest opinion, don't waste your money.. Spend a little more, and buy a seiko diver watch.

 

[Kevan]

I was into these, circa 2004, before they rose in price. Got a Vostok Amphibia with the diver guy on it for $15 new. It works like a champ. There are a couple people on watch forums who have taken Vostoks diving and say that they serve their purpose admirably, except for weak lume.

I looked at Poljot too long. They had so many models and I wanted one, then another, then another....and I never actually bought one. Around 2006 they started going up in price, as watches are wont to do. Looking back I should've pulled the trigger on a Strela chronograph when they were still sub-$300. Now they are $500+. And Aviators are $400 when they used to be less than $200.

 

[blantyre]

I have owned 1 Polyot and 2 Vostoks. The Polyot was rubbish - it leaked like a sieve and did not keep time. The Vostoks are excellent - keep time, look decent and were very inexpensive. I currently only have the white Vostok.

 

[Legion]

FWIW, this is my Vostok "divers" watch the first time I forgot to take it off, and wore it in the shower.

But, as I said in the above post, bullet proof. I opened the crown, put it somewhere warm to dry out, and the thing kept on working just fine. Well, as fine as it did before swallowing water.

 

[Leon]

I have 2 Soviet (pre-1990) watches from Vostok, model Amphybia. They've been restored by a Ukrainian watchmaker and they're very reliable.

 

[cfender]

I love the Soviet, Cold War, Nikita Kruschev, Industrial, and sometimes "Cartoony" appearance of these watches. Definitely an interesting conversation piece. Probably destined to have one.

 

[JaggerDragger]

FWIW, this is my Vostok "divers" watch the first time I forgot to take it off, and wore it in the shower.

But, as I said in the above post, bullet proof. I opened the crown, put it somewhere warm to dry out, and the thing kept on working just fine. Well, as fine as it did before swallowing water.

Remember that when this kind of thing happens to a watch or other sensitive electronic device is to open it up and put it into a zip lock bag of rice. It works really good at getting the moisture out.

 

[Legion]

Remember that when this kind of thing happens to a watch or other sensitive electronic device is to open it up and put it into a zip lock bag of rice. It works really good at getting the moisture out.

Good advice, if you can't get your hands on dessicate. I'll remember that.

 

[mattiow]

I have a modern Vostok amphibia with a blue face. It looks the dogs doo-dahs and gets loads of comments as a unique watch. D definitely worth investing in one; especially as they are relatively cheap.

 

[bmharold]

Spare parts such as the seals, etc are readily available and inexpensive. Not trying to be funny, but when you're talking a "vintage" watch...I had my Dad's Bulova when I was a kid and it was "water proof" not so much 30 years later though. Ended up full of water when I was washing my hands one day. No my Dad's not ancient, he got the Bulova when he was 9...apparently the only thing he wanted for christmas. Weird kid.

 

[Rambler1au]

Amphibia best watches ever can be fixed in Russia or the Ukraine for next to nothing just the postage costs you. even so they are only 70usd so if they dont work no great loss but they are the most reliable and accurate watches you can get beat the crap out of the Chinese which , by they way are still good.

Swiss are overpriced for what you get.

 

[DanOK]

I just ordered my second Amphia (gave my other to one of my sons). I found it to be my watch of choice as a daily beater when working outside. Tough as nails and a good size for my wrist. I have had no issues with it being waterproof. Fell in the lake twice while duck hunting this last season and didn't have any problems with water ingress. You can order new seals online if your are having a water ingress problem and some of the watch forums have instructions on changing them out yourself. As with most tools regular maintenance is a good work habit. As others have found the bracelet is not very good but NATO straps improve the fit and look of the watch and come in a huge variety of styles and colors.

There is a reason that the Russian Ilyushin Il-2 is the fighter aircraft with the largest production run of any fighter aircraft in history and the AK-47 is still the most widely used combat rifle in history. Outstanding engineering design. At around $75 I can't find any watch that better demonstrates the practical application of engineering design concepts. Its beauty is not fashion, its not style, and its not exclusivity. The Vostok/Amphia is a working engineering marvel well with in the reach of everyone which demonstrates how allowing the design to develop from the engineering goal can result in something that works day in and day out regardless of perceived and current solutions.

And yes it has heritage and is a good conversation piece and if maintained, as all mechanical watches should be, will be those things for whom ever inherits it.

 

[Kazeryu]

I believe Poljot is the higher-end company. I have a couple of vintage ones on their way to me somewhere in the post.

There is also Slava and Luch. I'm not sure where Slava fits in, but I believe Luch is supposed to be the bottom end of russian watches.

I have a vintage soviet era Vostok divers watch. To be honest, it is pretty rough. Doesn't keep great time, and is in no way waterproof any more, if it ever was.

Soviet era means it's a bare minimum of 22 years old. You ever think that maybe the seals need replacing?

 

[Austin]

I have owned a few Russian divers. They are hit or miss. If I remember correctly, they were mass produced in East Germany at one time. I will not buy another.