Mail Order Russian! The $39 Vostok Komandirskie
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- Опубліковано 31 тра 2019
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So, this is the second Vostok Komandirski I've owned. I flipped the first in short order because I pretty much hated it. Have my opinions changed in the two years since then? Well, kinda. It is an amazing amount of watch for not a lot of money, but I'm not sure how it fits into my collection. Maybe it'll fit into yours? Cheers, Jody
That is the coat of arms of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces on the dial. Supposedly their motto is “After us, only silence”.
Texan Bill that’s because the explosion left them deaf!
I think that's a pretty fitting moto in all honesty.
No it's not. It's the middle emblem of the Russian Space Forces.
@@floriantimmermeister5792 They share the same emblem.
@@texanbill6032 Definitely not. The RVSN RF middle emblem shows a sword in the heraldic right hand and two arrows in the left hand. The middle emblem of the Russian Space Forces shows two flashes in the heraldic right hand and a mixture of pike/spear and satellite dish in the left hand.
5/5 for not missing the opportunity to make a Chernobyl reference when you reached the subject of lume. 😁
Yup, that was funny!
Too soon. Death of innocents. Not exactly white knighting just deciding to have crap in my corn flakes today.
@@jmoman5356 So no making jokes about anything post-86? Is the Titanic fair game already?
Tunkkis i’m sometimes picky about what offends my sensibilities which change like the weather. David Mitchell has a funny video about how long after a tragedy you can make jokes.
I'd rate that lume 3.6....not great, not terrible.
It's not just the information that keeps me hooked it's the seamless transition of humor. Thanks again Jody
Thanks for your kind words! Cheers, Jody
Honestly the Vostok is an absolute legend in Russia. This is something that every Russian soldier carried from the USSR to today. Soldiers are still given these watches all the time.
These watches are known to be *incredibly* finicky but incredibly reliable. There are many former soviet soldiers who have carried one of these every day of their entire life since Afghanistan. Many soldiers have reported falling off of harsh drops on these and having it not even skip.
Greetings from Saint Petersburg, Russia of course.
Another thing for people who love video games/books: this is Artyom’s watch in Metro 2033’s original game (not last light or the redux) and book series.
Also: the Cyrillic says ‘built in Russia’. You appear to have gotten a post soviet built one. They’re built the same the only differences are aesthetic. The leather on the watch is a russian soviet style leather treatment. In Russia it’s considered to be stylish.
Early 90s in Berlin, had bought a self-winding Komandirskie at a street stand. Tried to catch a bus, whilst running I smashed my left wrist with the watch on it against an advertising column so hard that the fabric structure of my shirt's sleeve was imprinted into the watch glass. The movement inside kept going, totally unaffected...
But the downside with those available on street markets were the springs in the hand wound ones - they tended to break quite quickly.
I completely agree about the leather strap, everyone absolutely everyone moans and moans about it. Well I'm calling bs on them, the strap is very high quality leather and fits and functions perfectly. It looks great and wears well, the only mod I made to the strap was to replace the buckle with one from an Omega. It's an awesome leather strap and that's all there is to it.
I don't care that much about how it looks, nobody is talking about how it feels. How comfortable is that special Russian leather?
@@Alias_Anybody it’s actually quite comfortable, it was a bit stiff during the first day but now after some days it became very comfortable.
I definitely don’t consider it to be the worst strap, sure there are better ones out there, but it’s comfortable and durable and i think that’s what counts the most in a field watch.
@@Alias_Anybody am back after four years. I wear mine every day. It is like your own skin, you won’t even know it’s there. Sadly it broke a week ago so I replaced the strap
FYI: it actually does say "made in Russia", not "your dinner's in the oven" ;)
Here I was thinking it said "Your borcht is cold"!!! Only joking. I was in the USSR in 1990 & bought 6 of the various military watches via the black market.😉 Some 29 years later mine still works almost perfectly. Probably because it was pre Chernobyl!😂😎
Although not advertised, my Komandirskie is 100% water proof. I take mine swimming, in the shower, etc., never had a single drop of water get inside. Mine is also one of the most accurate in my collection. I am amazed that these sell for so little of a price. If considering
one of these, you will love it.
Depends on the model, doesn't it?
@@TimBee100 Probably. My Komanphibia is good to 200 but it wouldn't surprise me if they mean 20m in depth and not water resistance on the other ones.
@@duckrutt - There is a cheaper model line of Komandierskis which are made of brass instead of stainless steal which are not waterproof.
Seriously, it’s so hard to look through Meranom’s Komandirskie catalog and not drool a little. So many wicked case shapes and really cool dial patterns, the only problem is there’s no case with a strap width option larger than 18mm.
Need to get the Amphibia case with the face you want. Most of the Komandirskie faces appear now in an Amphibia case in 22mm.
Thanks Jody, just spent an hour on the vostok website and have ordered two, wife just banned me from your channel 🤯
😂😂😂
David I am a watch freak, bought an Amphibia I think I just joined the Vostok club. Plus when you buy watches or anything I found it's better to ask for forgiveness than for permission. Lol...
I still use my wifes id on google i have bought 5 watches in the last 24hrs...god help me when she comes to the den and sees why im so quiet...its a sunday jody watch binge
Man I love old Russian tech. First guns like the Makarov, AKM and Mosin, now watches.
Can confirm that those straps will last a decade. I've tried it.
my grandpa has one from the 70s and is still in ok condition 😳
Bought one on the streets of Prague in 1993....$20 US cash. It's either infra try or tank corps. Has never been cleaned or serviced and still works great.
FYI the wobbly crown is intentional, it’s meant to protect it from shock and keep it straight. I personally like it, gives me something to fidget with when I’m bored.
Yes I believe its a clutch. Afterchanging the time i screw the crown in then unscrew it to wind it.
Aren’t they 200m water resistant too? I thought they were.
Practical Primate They’re graded as 200m water resistance, apparently the acrylic crystal is meant to be compressed by the water pressure, effectively increasing the airtightness the further you go down.
Mind you I’ve accidentally covered mine in piping hot oatmeal once and while the watch itself worked fine, the rotating bezel actually got a little stiff for a while lol
@@PracticalPrimate Depends on the model. All Amfibias are, but not Komandirskies, only some as far as I know.
Tunkkis gotcha thanks.
I own two Komandirskie. One from the soviet era and a now 5 year old. Even the 34 year old one with the 2409 movement is still working good.
My first Amphibia is on the way, about 35 years old, hand wind, 119 case, 2209 movement.
this has got to be the best up and coming watch channel on UA-cam, I am consistently impressed with the quality of these reviews! 100k subs in no time I reckon? 😎
I’m going to go broke if I keep watching this channel.
I always sandpaper my Patek Phillipe and Constintine Vacheron . After all , everybody else does .
Sam Sum I did LOL 😂
Brilliant comment
I use a dremmel on my AP and Hublot, use dremmel without any attachments, I just speed dremmel as fast as it goes and grind away!
Cool, but I wouldn't wear one near a voting booth.
We won't want to be accused of a Russian collusion, would we? ;-)
Too late, you're all colluders. No, I don't need any evidence. I'm just gonna proclaim it.
@@unreconstructed wow.
Heck I would wear my Vostok with a Crass or Sex Pistols t shirt with a Black Flag hat!
My Komandirskie came in the post last week and mine has been running +4.8s/day. Really Happy with it
Michael expect it to worsen severely within some two years, when the oil gets old. Then have it cleaned and the current excellent accuracy will return.
Love mine and just ordered a second. For the pricé unbeatable. Fabulous price to enjoyment ratio.
Russian soldiers agree with you. Many Russian soldiers from the soviet era have worn the same Kommandanski watch for the past 50 years.
"Your dinners in the oven" I laughed my coke out my nose!
Coke-cola that is.
Your videos have pulled me into the cult!! I now own 2 Komandirskies and an Amphibia which I love....
Hi J. I have 2 kommandierskies and an Amphibia. They're robust, reliable and fun to wear. Also great conversation pieces, especially when you live in south Africa, which like Aus. Is far removed from Russia. I would imagine that 99% of the SA population have never even heard of this piece of soviet heritage. Thanks for the snappy review 😁
"Here's to feelin' good all the time." Great t-shirt, mate! And thanks for making me aware of this watch!
I just got my Komandirskie as a birthday present- love it!
Komandirskie 020706 automatic: basically an amphibia, but the case shape is awesome. Also the metal strap is way better than the one from a regular amphibia. An is just 75$ delivered, on ebay.
Jody you gave me a chuckle or two on this review. I’ve considered a Vostok several times but haven’t pulled the trigger yet, maybe soon for the novelty of it.
Just received my Komandirski in the mail (exact same model from ebay) - looks gorgeous ... thrilled about it ... it is my first Vostok.
Strap actually isn't that bad .. feels as good as the $25 NATO I bought for another watch at a local high end jeweler. I will get a NATO for it online and I was able to get it able to almost hack like you said.
I've stripped the chrome off a couple disassembled komandirskies with muriatic acid. (aka the green wist specials) The brass changes over time, similar to bronze, but with a lighter shade.
Muriatic acid is the fancy name for hydrochloric acid :)
This is the first video I’ve seen on the watch without the chrome plating. Looks better than I expected it would on camera.
I'm just waiting for the exact same model to rock up in my mail box in the next week or so. I'm building up a modest collection of Komandirskies "through the ages", and this particular piece of "post_soviet Russian bling" fits in quite nicely at the modern end, as well as being a quite wonderful kitsch contrast to the far more austere early/vintage Vostoks that I have thus far acquired )))
I love mine I've had it for years. At one point I was removing the bezel and popped of the crystal by mistake and I just popped it back on with my thumb and pressure tested it right after ( I work with watches ) and it passed 5 bar no problem. I've dropped it on tile on the street and it keeps ticking and keeping time. Bought mine for 25 dollars.
I got 3 my self Kamardeskie love them quirky but amazing pieces all 3 have been changed for a nicer leather strap and 200 meter water resistant in house movement, what more can you ask, great pieces to have, to any collection in my opinion, Thank you for reviewing this stunning piece.
I got a Vostok Neptune GMT recently. I was surprised by their accuracy out of the box. No doubt good value.
Good choice .
I bought one of these a couple of months ago and it has quickly become my daily beater. I'm loving the old school Soviet asthetic, enough that I'll probably grab an Amphibian in the future. On a Bond Nato it definitely catches peoples' attention.
"...and won't try and bring her mother over to live with you." HA! I just ordered my first one a week ago. (Komandirskie, that is) So excited! I've always wanted a "tank" watch.
Drop the bezel in muriatic acid (available at any home improvement store) overnight and you'll have bronze by morning. I did it to my Amphibia over a year ago and it's aging nicely.
Just purchased my first Komanderskie. Love it. It's rugged, easy time teller and reliable.
Yes, I have one of these. My bezel is chrome and has a nice hexagonal second track around the centre of the face. I have an Amphibia too, but the Komandirski gets a good amount of wrist time too.
I have mine on a Russian flag Red White and Blue Nato Strap (some irony there :)
As always, thanks Jody!
I purchased the same model about a month ago. Still waiting for it to come from Mother Russia. I’ve also got another Kommandirskie with the green and blue paratrooper dial. They’re great watches
Thanks to you being an Aussie, i just ordered my first Vostok, hello from Canberra !
'Being Russian, the lume might be plutonium' Hahahahahaha :-) Love it
On a slightly serious note, Plutonium, no, but both Radium and Tritium are radioactive materials which have been used for lume on watches in the past (not any more I beleve)
@@tobiasz6613 let’s hope not
I kept looking on Amazon and this exact watch kept coming up and after watching this video, I decided the price was as inexpensive as a Timex weekender and this has 100 times more appeal and bought it. No ETA but that's ok since using Amazon, it's always fun to get presents in the mail. I am new to watch collecting and this is the perfect piece, and I actually ordered two Vosock and my second one is the submarine style military watch for the same price. I also ordered this watch with the black/red band since the leather wasn't appealing and the black with red stripe looked like it was a better look.
Currently wearing my blue-dialed Komandirskie 211398. It’s been my most worn watch since I got it 5 months ago. Plus it’s one of the only classic Kommies that I’ve seen that doesn’t look too crazy for everyday wear. The stock strap is garbage but I have replaced it with a cheap brownish orange leather strap on it which makes the watch look great.
Regulating it is very easy, the regulation lever is not so hard to push compared to other movements. Mine only gains about a couple seconds a day now.
Polywatch works great on the crystal!
Two downfalls about the Komandirskie non-automatic mechanicals is the lack of quick-set date and proper quality control. I’ve already had a few duds.
Underrated gem. I have two (one serious, one goofy) and greatly enjoy them both. Have to get rid of the strap ASAP though
I've got two of these, and the first thing I did was to cut off the straps and bin them. Didn't even remove the pins. A black 20mm NATO really makes an improvement.
Welcome back to the commander crew. Brilliant cheap beat the crap outta watch, that will take all you can give it and just laugh
I have about 8 Vostoks .... they are just fun
Now, my take on this watch (and the amphibia) is they make a good first mechanical watch - inexpensive, tough and a good introduction to the very different ownership experience of a mechanical watch to quartz watches. The reason I say a good first one, is because you'll then have a better understanding of the refinements present in more modern designs.
I've had one of these for a few months now and I really like it. I changed the bezel for one off an amphibia and I much prefer the look. In terms of the water resistance being 30m, it does have the same case back design and a rubber gasket and screw down crown like the amphibia, and, I've got mine wet a fwe times with no apparent consiquences. I'm not a Vostok fanatic, but the Amphibia christment present I recieved a few years ago was my first "something more" watch after many years of £10 casio watches that do the job and did start an interest in watches.
This is a fun watch, with all of its... keys say les than perfect construction. That Sir makes this piece intriguing, and affordable to say the very least.
“Could say your dinner’s in the oven” LOL😆
I have the same watch, with a black face the red star, and in chrome (relatively tasteful) for $40 on Ebay, and I love it. I'm not a collector, and I was just looking for something with a cool provenance. Every criticism I have read, comes from "watch guys", and affects me not in the least. Although after many years, I had to get in the habit of winding my watch.
It's pronounced "KomanDEERskie". Yes, as in "deer". Komandir in Russian means Commander (usually armed forces), so that name means watch that belongs to a Commander.
lol awesome :) well said
KomanDEERskieEH, there's an "eh" sound at the end.
ua-cam.com/video/afW-08_H-1Q/v-deo.html
@@johnwescott1500
Нет там буквы Х.
Нет.
@@johnwescott1500 Are you Russian? The OP had it right on how to pronounce it. There's no eh at the end.
Koman durrr ski lol that got me
I have just purchased a Komandirskie & I pick it up tomorrow. I'm from New Zealand & managed to get one here. Less than a week for delivery. I can't wait to get & will be changing the strap.
Nice one Jody it was a Komandirskie that got me started in watch collecting about 18 months ago have a load of them and i always swap out the strap . I find them accurate and very ledgeble . The crown is supposed to wobble as it has a clutch in side to prevent damage to the stem.
"do a bit of modding with sandpaper..." i've heard it all.
So i actually use mine as a field watch when I work nights. Used to use an seiko 809 until the rotor unscrewed itself so i prefer handwind now. I like the komandirskie because it has the same flat gasket design as the amphibia which makes it more user serviceable than the seiko’s round gasket which warps after multiple caseback removals. I did have to replace the crap strap with a nice orange/grey/black nato though
I get so many compliments on this exact watch - crazy... People just love the thing.....
If one were to go with a non-amphibia Vostok, it's the GMT with the sub seconds dial you'd want to go for.
Hi Jody! I like its dial and hands and… that's it! ;-)I'm however planning to get an Amphibia Radio Room one day or another…Thx for your channel's exquisite contents! :-)
Nice one Jodie you keep reviewing watches after I buy them ha!😂
Got me one on ebay recently, an Air force edition, only 17 quid, so cant moan at that price. Glad the wobbly crown is actually a design, i was thinking mine was a duffer! Cheers mate another great review. My favourite channel!
Love the Kramer shirt! Been looking at the red dial version, haven’t pulled the trigger yet
My new Komandirskie has a red dial. Self winding and it is accurate. Love it. .
Bought one w/tank on dial in 1/14. WAS my watch for good occasions. Since I purchased a Восток self wind last month, it is now my everyday watch. Just replaced original band this year due to sweat. Love its accuracy and I only wind it every 36 hours. Would buy another one again.
I have 2 vintage and just got a new 819354 today. I plan on doing some modding and eventually hope to be able to service them. Also have a Slava and a Poljot. Great vid as usual. In house movement for 40 bucks, what a steal
I bought one as a goof about 2 years ago. Still works great, and it is pretty accurate. I use it as a dress/office watch, and conversation starter. I didn't sandpaper it, but the finish now has a nice less shiny tarnish to it. It is a shame, it has over the top Soviet designs can be a turn off. A plain dial version would make a great first manual wind watch.
I think it's kind of missing the charm of these watches, but there are a few more conservative dial styles at the meranom store. There's also the more expensive but incredibly beautiful Vostok Classica, which I hear is like a slightly better Bambino.
There's plenty of plain dial versions on the website, I got one to be a functional watch and found one with a simple dial I liked.
I just picked up two Wenger watches on Amazon for $39.99 each. I'm the proud owner of six Wengers now. You can't beat a Swiss watch for less than $40! Both came on decent leather straps and the lume on the Urban Classic lasted all night.
It's a solid field watch. Gold on gold is not ideal for an easy to read watch. But a change of hands might fix that. The Komandirskie I've built is one of my daily wearers and the thickness make it an easy watch to wear. And how many people buy an Amphibia and go diving with it?
I agree. I have a couple Amphibians but I’m never going to be in any water deeper than 10 feet so I decided to pick up a couple Komandirskies. Their retro look is cool.
Man.. I swear we have the SAME thoughts..
Just lastnight I ordered the "star" style case design (has the 4 triangles around the case)
I like my 1St komanderskie
Ha ha that title though. The Vostok is a great watch for any collection from entry level to high end .
Great video and review, comrade Jody.
The crown is designed to work loose like that, They all do and always have as it's part of the waterproofing and shock resistance design.The crown has a clutch that makes it seem broken when un-screwed. It is separated from the movement so if there is a shock it does not damage the internals ....... not poor quality but actually genius design.....
Thank you for bringing this up. I was warming up my fingers to give him the business.
finally, after years since i've watched this video, i finally own a komandirskie today
I liked this watch. That eagle really screamed. But Amfibias have the most beautiful cases, my favourite of the 3 Amfibias I have being the "barrel" case, the very epitome of mid-century modern.
From what I've read, the gold coated koms are harder to mod to brass than a silver kom. Also, soaking in acid works very well. Doesn't quite patina naturally though
How long have you searched on their website, before deciding to buy this one? I've got a hard time deciding which one I'm gonna buy with so many choices.
Fun watch! Thanx Jody!
Wow! Really love it. Amazing!
This watch does have a very nice appeal to myself. When I was looking to buy a watch, I wanted a watch that was dead reliable(meaning I could rely on it to work no matter what) and that It is very predictable. With a manually would watch, you know exactly when it’s going to stop and you know that you can rely on it. The komandirskie is simple and very effective. It is cheap so you don’t have to worry about it and since there is no automatic winding mechanism you don’t have to take it off every time you do something that could break it(I’ve broke an automatic watch at the gym just by running around).
It’s hideous but strangely lovable....
Amazing amount of watch for the money. Great fun review!
Got a brass one back in the early 90s. Still with me and working like a charm :)
mine died as soon as i got it. then i got another, 3 weeks later, piece of shit broke in the weirdest way. It's the best way for me to waste money.
@@jukebox1794 oh wow! That really sucks! I was really fortunate to have gotten a better one then.
And with the Russian Rouble in the doldrums, now is the time to buy. You really can take advantage of the exchange rate.
“....your dinners in the oven !” 😆👍. You might check out the “Classica” line, for about $150 US they have a real 1960’s Timex vibe. 😉
I have a custom Amphibia. Can't beat it. The Russians did a work of genius on their watches.
9:55 my lad! Redicioulousness! Love it
i just love its beautiful quirky looks and the fact that its made in russia!! i orderdered 5 of those komanderskie watches from amazon at usd 50 each...now waiting for them to be delivered!!
I have a submarine logo Komandirskie, I love it!
This is the watch for those who are always complaining about the "nothing special" ETA movements and rather have an in house manufacture caliber. Go for it!
I have a couple of these and they are fun and mostly bullet proof. And at the price you can just have a few for play. Just ordered one like the one you reviewed. Should be a good conversation starter given the bling. But there are some examples that are pretty conservative, such as steel models with quite attractive dials in almost any color you might want. The loose crown (which is actually a design feature rather than a flaw) is quirky, but I soon got used to it when I realized, yes, this is normal for Vostoks. The price is just astonishingly cheap. Paid $36.50 on eBay for this latest purchase, WITH free (albeit slow) shipping from Russia.
Bought the same one a couple of months ago, put it on a black nato and wear it occasionally. Not bad for the price indeed.
Just ordered both the manual wind and auto one. on Ebay.
The manual wind with shipping was less than $ 36 with shipping !!!
Cannot wait for both to arrive !!
When winding a Vostok watch with screw on crown, be it a Komandirskie or other, tilt the crown downwards and pull it out very very slightly while you wind it. Otherwise, the crown will keep catching the thread while you wind it, which is very galling indeed. I must have over forty of these great watches, they’re an outstanding value for the cost! And with a little learning you can easily make your own combination of a given dial/movement into some other watch case, within Komandirskies 2414b they all fit nicely! My first one was a gift from my Ukrainian wife. Then I got addicted...
I highly recommend the Komandirskie K35 auto with the 24hr window and day/night indicator, on a Nato strap. They're really cool.
just received mine, L-o-v-e IT, "gold" with black/grey dial. After amphibia my second vostok. It clear I'm fan.
honestly that original strap looked better than any other straps in this video
That eagle is Russian Aero-Space Forces logo. We have air force and SPACECOM combined in one branch of the military here in Russia.
Now you talking my language! Keep it up!
Great review. I just ordered one.
Good. Now take a look at the Vostok Classica pls.
I would define it as The Better Bambino. It's just better than that beautiful watch in almost every regard, highly recommended.
oooh lala, my "Buy Now" finger is twitching pretty hard right now.
@@Colddirector I bought mine a few days ago and I'm waiting for it to arrive. It has been out of stock for months so I would suggest taking it while you can.
There are a couple of great videos on youtube by "Random Rob" and "Bruce Williams", you might want to give them a look.
@@maverickbonato8164 Do they sell individual movements for this thing like the amphibias/komandirskies too?My vostok service policy, at least with my amphibia will be to buy the movement (+ some goodies from meranom if i'm in the mood ;) and replace the one inside when it needs servicing.
@@Colddirector That's not a bad idea to be honest but I'm sorry, I have no clue if they sell movements individually D:
Be N S O N you can meranom.com/en/amphibian-classic/spare-parts/movements/vostok-watch-241501-movement-blued-screws-nickel-rotor.html
Great video! Would you ever consider doing a review on some vintage Timex watches, very affordable and lovely design! Also, I'd be interested in seeing your opinion on the Indian made HMT vintage watches - fully in-house movement and a fascinating history!
Looks good on the suede!!!
I'm not a team of the vostok amphibious, but I like this one. I may be buying one just like yours in this video.