The Vostok Amphibia: Failure or Fabulous?
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- SEA, LAND, SPACE: Ultimate Review of the Boctok Amphibia Watch
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Vostok Amphibia "Scuba Dude" (featured)
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Vostok Amphibia "Scuba Dude" with nylon NATO strap
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Links to the Amphibia watch in the video, and others I like:
Frogman watch (featured)
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Frogman with Orange nylon strap
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New Amfibia Design Scuba Series
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Bill Murray "Life Aquatic" model
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Traditional large case model
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Photo Credits
A port bow view of a Soviet Papa class cruise missile submarine underway. Public Domain: ''Released to Public''' *ID: DN-SN-87-04292 *Service Depicted: Other Service *A port bow view of a Soviet Papa class cruise missile submarine underway. *Date Shot: 10 Mar 1987 [[Ca
Vostok, by TigerPaw2154 at English Wikipedia, public domain
Georgy Grechko stamp, public domain, Русский: Почтовая марка СССР 1975 года. Космические корабли «Союз-17» «Салют-4». Космонавты Губарев и Гречко. ЦФА #4446
Georgy Grechko, Космонавты СССР Романенко и Гречко. This work is not an object of copyright according to article 1259 of Book IV of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation No. 230-FZ of December 18, 2006. Shall not be objects of copyright: official documents of state government agencies and local government agencies of municipal formations, including laws, other legal texts, judicial decisions, other materials of legislative, administrative and judicial character, official documents of international organizations, as well as their official translation.
The Fabs, United Press International (UPI Telephoto)Cropping and retouching: User:Indopug and User:Misterweiss [Public domain]
Woodstock_redmond_stage. Derek Redmond and Paul Campbell [CC BY-SA 3.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]
Plant management CHZZ.JPG, by Gryzunov Andrey Evgenievich, There is permission to copy, distribute and / or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License (version 1.2 or later), published by the Free Software Foundation , without immutable sections, without texts placed on the first and last cover.
Cool Hand Luke 3: Warner Bros. Entertainment [Public domain]
Cool Hand Luke 2: Warner Bros. Entertainment [Public domain]
Soviet Naval Infantrymen: US Dept. of Defence [Public domain]
KFRC_Fantasy_Fair_Dryden_Balin_Kantner. Bryan Costales ©2009 Bryan Costales, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0 [CC BY-SA 3.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
Christiaan_Barnard_1969.jpg Mario De Biasi (Mondadori Publishers) [Public domain]
Ggerdel - Buceador y camarógrafo: Gustavo Gerdel [CC BY-SA 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]
Russian space photos retrieved from: www.roscosmos.ru/309/. Text, photo, audio and video materials (hereinafter referred to as media materials) of Roscosmos are available for free use and distribution for purposes that do not imply direct or indirect commercial or political benefits.
NASA space images retrived from: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/multimedia/index.html. NASA content used in a factual manner that does not imply endorsement may be used without needing explicit permission.
Frogmen Exercise: Mil.ru [CC BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)]
Hero of the USSR Gold Star: Fdutil [CC BY-SA 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]
I own one of this, BEST for The money at all, but The brazalet is terrible as a razor, i have no hair at my wrist, no one.jajjaja. very good watch for The price
is there any of the amphibias that have a unidirectional bezel? Or is there upgrade parts to buy to make it unidirectional?
@Jorn Navarre I'm old fashioned, I prefer my watch and dive tables.
The new Scuba series (Amfibia Scuba) does one better, using an internal bezel and a separate crown to operate it.
Wonders of Watchdom .
Here is the true story. My dad found an Amphibia watch on the seafloor while diving in early 90ies(I'm not sure how deep he went, I don' think deeper than 10m). There was an engraving on it's case "To Oleg we wish seven feet under keel. 1985" He picked it up, cleaned it up, wound it up and it worked! And it still works in 2020! Now it is our family heirloom, which I'll pass to my grandchildren.
wow speaking of telling a story :)
Not a surprise. I have a Vostok Komandirskie and it is basically a tank with a dial. Made to last....Russian spirit...badass.
@@DiegoBoss_ b
Poor Oleg, I wish he was well...
@@funkerrrr he might have dropped it while navigating, showing it to his officer on watch (asuming Oleg was the captain) watching the sunset and thinking of his wife.... and so on and so forth....
I'm a former US Submarine Sailor. We were always watching for crazy Ivan in his Submarine. Today I bought the Submarine Commander's version. It has the sub with the Red Star on it's sail. Love that - it's an homage to my wild youth on Submarines.
No self respecting sun dodger would ever refer to themselves as a Submarine Sailor. I bevel the term you are looking for is Submariner. Also, subs don't have sails buddy it's called a fin. Clearly a Walter Mitty.
@@johnathanbentham6450 Submarine Electronics Officer here. Submarines do have sails. It is not to be confused with a conventional canvas sail attached to the mast. However the "fin" that sits above the control room and houses the masts/antennas and bridge is referred to as the sail. Perhaps in other countries (not sure which ones) it is referred to as the "fin".
I do agree that the proper term is "Submariner", but the term "Submarine Sailor" is not incorrect.
@@johnathanbentham6450 served on the 608 and 654 Blue crew. It is called a sail,not a fin. If you're going to be insulting or condescending do some research first.
And I was watching you...
I have a cousin who flew P3 Orions and hunted russian submarines.
I know of another P3 Orion guy who wears a Kommanderski Submarine Vostok in homage to his adversary. It's a sign of respect.
I spoke several years ago with a watchmaker who worked for Vostok for some time before coming to the US. I asked him his overall assessment of the watch. He stared off into space for a moment then smiled at me and said "I was thinking of how to say 'POS' in Russian." He went on to say that the watches did a good job of meeting the government's requirements while costing almost nothing to manufacture. I said, "I suppose you had a huge repair department." He replied, "No, we never repaired them. When a watch was sent in for service, we just tossed the movement in the garbage and put in a new one. Or, if we were rushed, we tossed the whole watch and sent out a new one." My final question had to do with the Vostok reputation for reliability. He explained that most watches, regardless of brand, fail because of lubrication issues and dirt. Their approach, at least during the years he worked there, was to make the tolerances so loose that the movements would keep running even when dry or gunked up. Unfortunately, those sloppy tolerances made them pretty inaccurate.
For all his criticisms, he was a fan of the brand and owned quite a collection. His final assessment was, "They're like Timex. They take a licking and keep on ticking."
Great story. Although i find it hard to fathom that they just threw everything away....what about all the parts that could have still been used or recycled?
@@tentimetex I sent a Swiss watch back to the manufacturer and they replaced the entire movement. But they admitted there was an issue with that particular batch of movements.
Tearing down faulty movements would be labour-intensive and each component would need to be inspected before being re-used or you might be making further problems. It's a £50 watch with a £30 movement and whatever is left goes on a shonky bracelet. Replacing movements or entire watches encourages brand loyalty and recommendations
The AK-47 of all Watches 🙂🙂🙂🙂
You can find disgruntled employees everywhere. Did you ask why they fired him: was it for being regularly late, missing days or caught drunk when on the job?
The fact is most $50 quartz watches are far more accurate than a Rolex automatic. People don't buy automatic watches for accuracy, they are often up to 20 to 30 seconds off per day. Regarding craftsmanship, you can buy a dozen new Vostek watches for the price to clean and lube your Swiss watch once. Most people that buy an expensive Swiss watch do so because they are part of an elite club.
The historical context, the images and the way the narrator tells the story of watches on this channel is what makes me happy, it's not just a boring review!
Made from tractor parts, performs like a sports car. Love mine.
lol
That is true. This watch can be super fast.
@Jack Stucki My Komandiskie K35 Automatic is pretty much spot on. It gains or loses 2 minutes a month. I dont wind it up very much I just use the oscillator to power it.
Considering the accuracy it doesn't perform like a sports care but a tractor,nothing of the finest engineerings but it works.
@Jack Stucki That's a bit poor, most of mine are under 10sec.
It's quite easy to adjust yourself. Because the case back seal is so big you can do it without stress.
A few UA-camrs have shown how to regulate a Vostok...
I own and wear my Amphibia for over 20 years now, not serviced once, taken to diving, flying, yachting.... At the time it´s been some cheap fun to buy it, but in the meantime it´s one of my favorites, not giving in, not giving up. I need to set it every 3-4 days depending on environment. I LOVE MY AMPHIBIA💖, I´d buy another one anytime. Anyone who want´s ultimate precision may be recommended a quartz watch or his smartphone, PC, car-clock.... you get the point. Thanks for giving credit to this tough little fellows, worth EVERY Cent spend. ☝🏻☝🏻☝🏻 p.s. You actually CAN "hack" the Movement, by applying some gentle "back-pressure" in reverse direction to the crown in setting position, which causes the movement to stop. If more torque is applied to the crown and stem, the hands will of course turn backwards, even allowing the "fast set date" by rotating back to 9 pm and forward again to midnight to make the calendar switch to next day. This is part of the manual (if anyone intends to read it😊)
I read about the "fast set date" hack somewhere but had forgotten about that because I don't use the date function myself. Good advice!
Backhacking works on watches with an 7s26 movement too.
Karsten Siegmarsson glad someone mentioned the fact you can stop second hand with a bit of backwards pressure, you can do the same with the non hacking seiko movements.
can you please tell me about the scratch resistance of the dial after 20yrs of use?? Thanks in advance
@@mdminhaj77 it's plexiglas so you van rub oit any scratches with toothpaste or polywatch or head light lens polish
I don't dive much with my amphibia (nobody actually uses a watch to time dives anymore with modern dive computers) but I do use the bezel a lot as a paramedic. I use it to time how long I've been running a code, how long a seizure has been going, drip rates for IV's, length of rescue extractions, etc. And even doing 45-180 minutes of CPR, I've never had the bezel dislodge time. I like the two way nature of it, since when I'm in a hurry to set it, I often overshoot on my one way bezels.
You wrote: "I like the two way nature of it [the bezel], since when I'm in a hurry to set it, I often overshoot on my one way bezels."
Very interesting. I would never have thought of that.
Exactly! Me too. Maybe the unidirectional, ratcheting bezel is a bit overkill. Still, you would think the Russians would've had their actual frogmen in mind when specking it out to handle 200m so well, but still have a bezel that, in the thick of action, could trick you into staying down five minutes past your limits.
Perhaps their actual divers wore more expensive, imported pieces as their tool watch.
@@destrygriffith3972The pressure which causes the acrylic crystal to deform also serves to "lock" the rotating bezel in place. It was another very functional solution that also helped to cut costs by removing the ratchet.
@@kraftyw1999 Very interesting. If this is true, the system is really ingenious!
Be very careful. That bezel's held on only with a polygonal springe, and I've knocked the entire thing off on doorframes before. You can snap it back on, but the last time that happened the spring itself sproinged off somewhere and I couldn't find it.
I have always wanted a mechanical watch, but newer knew I could afford one, I always just assumed that interesting watch has to be expensive. I got my Amphibia few weeks ago thanks to your video. The watch is everything I could hope for. Thank you so much!
(I would highly recommend to anyone to get one, it's such a wholesome thing. If you don't like original bezel or bracelet there is entire range of cheap and cool replacements, you can replace them yourself quite easily, no need to bother with watch-repair shops)
They're not all expensive like that. Ask around a little more next time.
@@doordieace5high maybe he meant a diver mechanical watch
Vostok Watches 24
Look there!
@@garynico9872 Seiko has a bunch of inexpensive options for that.
Ordered my 1st Vostok now.
My grandpa had Vostok watches, he wore them when we went fishing when I was young.
So lots of memories related to this watches.
Same. Lots of memories going fishing with my grandpa. We would go camping in the 80s and stay in the tents in this off the map spot by a small lake.
My grandpa and i would dig up the червяки for the next day. At 4 am my grandpa would come up to the tent where I slept with my mom and my brother and he would whisper my name.
We would have to get червяки, которые мы закапали в коробочке the night before. Get in a small boat and start fishing.
It was so quite. And peaceful.
I have never heard such a sound of complete silence. Then the sun would come up and the birds start singing.
I hold these memories so close to my heart.
Thank you for documenting this great watch. You absolutely did it justice. Vostok deserves recognition and praise for its role in horological history. My Vostok watches mean more to me than another other watch I have ever owned, including Rolex, Omega, Breitling or Panerai.
Excellent content!
This watch embodies the belief that "Russians don't fuck around and get the job done". These pieces are basically little tanks, pieces of history made to last.
Feel the same lolo except my steinhart another great watch
I love my Scuba Dude, a birthday gift from my wife. I got it in June of this year and I wear it almost every day. I get positive comments and questions a lot, so it's fun to tell it's story.
Nice to hear! It’s such a unique look I also get asked about it often.
The Amphibia is a watch from the 60s, in that time friction bezels, acrylic crystal and scarce lume was common on Swiss watches like the Rolex Submariner who didn't receive sapphire until the late 80s if I remember correctly. Regarding timekeeping you can regulate to decent level.
I must have more than twenty Amphibias and some forty Vostok Komandirskies, most bought in eBay and a few in Ukraine and Russia. I just love them. My experience is that they are actually very accurate when brand new, being about 3 to 8 seconds fast per day. A couple of years later, once the already poor quality oil starts to dry, they became much more erratic. But just have them cleaned and this will solve the problem.
I never had to have a brand new Amphibia calibrated for better accuracy, unlike some Swiss watches. I had to have my Longines and my Omega Speedmaster calibrated weeks after the purchase, because these expensive watches kept doing more than 20 seconds per day. That is unacceptable. Same with my Rolex Submariner purchased new, which actually ran out of COSC specifications! (It was calibrated and only then it did became outstandingly accurate) So much for Swiss watches.
To set the date you must turn the hands back and forth repeatedly between 10 and 1; that is fast enough. Regarding the bracelet, it is indeed horrible. Cheap, very poorly finished and very prone to bending. But I strive to keep it, since it is the original, with the Boctok clasp. Pulling the pins out and in again is a nightmare, and a few just refuse to come out, period. If you insist you will ruin the link. The end links usually come with a huge gap to the watch case, and either you disregard this - but it is ugly and noisy - or you patiently adjust them with a pair of pliers, tightening their back wings.
In all, all Vostok watches are great. Very affordable, reliable, pretty accurate, and you can easily learn how to swap a movement with its dial to another compatible watch case in case of need. Regarding the bezel, be advised that in case you need to replace it, it is quite easy to remove but exceedingly difficult to reassemble. Buy a few Amphibias, you will be well served!
That's amazing - the chance to put something so historical and remarkable on your arm for so little cost. Thank you for your research.
This is basically the AK-47 of watches
As pretty much everything Russian is ...
Yeah, this is the AW-67 (Automatic Watch 1967).
да дермо эти часы, у нас их сейчас пачками продают, никому они не нужны, точности и качества никакого нет
@Max I thought AK-47 was way more reliable in sand and mud, that being their major benefit. M16 is hopeless in dirty conditions due to the tight tolerances leading them to foul and jam
@Max yeah true in perfect laboratory like conditions. But the fact is the reliability of the AK-47 has been proven countless times in real world scenarios throughout history. Cleaning an ar15 in a muddy trench when you're covered in shit and strung out from fear and adrenalin just isn't realistic. Sure the AK-47 is open and crap gets into it, but it can also get out of it with relatively little effort. While that video is nice in theory, the use of both weapons in war has proven otherwise.
Thanks! Great work on the video , just found your channel a few days ago and love the videos. Keep up the great work!
I love the “space video” at the end. I wasn’t expecting that.
An absolute must have for any collection. The workhorse for the price is unmatched
This video is my favorite of all that talks about Vostok ; you give this brand the credits it deserves. Thank you very much for your work.
I have 4 Vostok's between Komandirksie and Amphia's, I love that you can calibrate the movement and make timing near perfect like a swiss watch! Thank you for sharing!
I need to learn how to do that
I own the "green wave" 150348, and I love it. I got VERY lucky adjusting the accuracy. In all conditions it averages only +2-3 seconds/day. Since I got it I have worn a black nato and a black rubber strap, but recently went back to the original metal bracelet. I find the criticism of the bracelet overstated. I have no issues with it, and am enjoying it a lot. GREAT video, thank you.
I have owned an amphibian SE 710B35S for over a year and love it . It dead accurate at 0 seconds for weeks at a time. No lie! 0 seconds. The polished hour markers make it look incredible! This watch is not a toy! It’s the real deal! Great value as well!
Yeah, the lada coolaid is strong here...
@@pretol1
While my comments were true at the time,
It has been 2 years since I made the above comment. In that time that watch has lost its attraction. The automatic function no longer winds the watch and it somehow has lost its accuracy. With the events of 2022 in Eastern Europe, there is no way I would wear a watch made in Russia, let alone spend money to fix it. In fact, I am contemplating throwing it in the wood chipper.
@@calsurflance5598 I think a lot of people in the west (myself included) had an awakening to the true russian "culture" (in technology, science, social, industry etc.), and it's not good, to say the least.
@@pretol1
Yes, I couldn’t agree more! Their political agenda has most certainly come to light.
I love my over dozen Vostok Amphibias, mostly post 2018, and a couple 1980's Soviet made. The bracelet clasp can be made more comfortable by filling or sanding the edges of the stamped steel. I love the high polish light weight bracelet on 710 case. I've regulated a couple of mine to ±2 sec/day variation hitting bang on four days in a row. I like the bezels, no click is easier to mass produce and keeps the price of the watch down.
@@chuckschillingvideos The bracelet is stainless steel. The bezel is chrome plated. I've got more Amphibias than fingers and toes.
Just stumbled on this video and really enjoyed it.
I bought a Vostok a few months ago and I really like it. It’s hard not to fall in love with them, provided you can accept their idiosyncrasies and foibles. They’re basically the anti-luxury watch brand. They’re design language is just so full of individual personality in a world of cookie cutter, play it safe designs (not that there’s anything wrong with that of course).
For the designers and watchmakers to be able to come up with something so rugged and reliable under what was probably less than ideal conditions/funding/equipment and a pretty inflexible design brief is remarkable. And they’re still making them today! Considering their history and unique designs Vostok is surely one of the best bargains in all of watches.
I had a Tank Commander's model which I paid only $39.50 for in 1980. One of my "friends" decided he liked it more than I did and purloined it. Did I know who there would have been a proper tune up. Now I have three Vostok- Europe models which I really like. And next year I plan to get one of those huge Russian Divers which comes via Neramon at around $500.00 and ships with all original documents, all in Cyrillic!. Great review!
I've had my "Scuba Dude" for many years, but seldom wear it anymore. This video has prompted me to get it out of my watch box and start wearing it. I agree with all your points. I immediately removed the bracelet and put it on a Sail cloth strap. My Biggest complaint, is as same with most Russian watches, the non quickset date. Even knowing the "trick" it's still a pain to adjust the date. I'd rather have the Time be incorrect, then the Date, LOL. All in all, the Scuba Dude is a GREAT WATCH. I believe I paid around 40+ Dollars U.S. when I bought mine. This is the Best Video, I've seen about this watch, and learned a lot about it, that I didn't know. Thank you.
My solution: I bought one without a date window!
As someone who works in the watch industry, careful when wearing an old watch in water, if the joints haven't been replaced it might not be waterproof anymore.
I've used my amphibia while ice swimming in -30c weather and in a 120c sauna and it still works. Even after going from the said sauna directly to ice swimming.
That is impressive.
And didn't condensation occur in the watch due to the sudden temperature change? Didn't the clock fog up from the INSIDE?
I’ve been researching this watch for months now to add to my collection. I thank you, you have made my decision, fairly easy to make. Keep up the great content.
Just found your channel. Solid reviews and down to earth intellectual honesty.
Liked and subscribed.
Informative video. I have three months on my Komandirskie field watch that I picked up for 30USD. Put a 5 USD NATO strap onto it. Regulated the movement myself with a few tools and online tutorials. It now gains 10-15 seconds. I absolutely love the hand winding ritual in the morning with my first cup of coffee and taking a moment for myself. I have used it for the gym, free running, showering and swimming. No leaks, no fogging. The manual says it is rated for only minor spills during washing hands, but I know better than that. Absolutely loving the Vostok and will surely add more to my collection. Cheers for the great content!
I bought the same one you have on E-Bay Scuba Dude, I love the watch. It was the first watch that had I worn, it was given to me as a present by my Grandfather. I also noticed that they have gone up in price
Great review. I have a Scuba Dude and it's now become my favorite. I regulated it, tried a few different straps, and installed a stainless bezel. In terms of accuracy, it is sensitive to position. Overnight it will gain a few seconds if laid flat and will lose a few seconds if placed on its edge. Knowing this I can "adjust" for gain or loss by positioning it as needed when I'm not wearing it..
You're exactly right about position. The balance wheel doesn't have adjustment screws, so the factory files the wheel in spots to adjust for positional errors. Sometimes they do this more accurately than other times.
My SKX is extremely sensitive to position - more than the Vostok.
I have around 8 vostok watches and I love them all. It's the best inexpensive watch you can own. It's reliable and durable and very affordable.
The Vostok Amphibia: Failure or Fabulous?
Fabulous. Thanks for watching, don't forget to like and subscribe!
Great review, being a collector of dive watches, impressed with the mechanical side.Friends father 47 years ago used to wear one ,worked as a watch and clock repairer.
He also had a collection of very expensive ones .
I only seen him wear the vostok or doxa .
Hello to France, i v got the 710640 Amphibia for 1 year, she work impressive, 3 seconds loose/24 h. I am happy, it is like a T34 tank. Tha.k s for your Chanel. God bless you.
Best review of the Vostok Amphibia I've ever seen! I use one for sea swimming and it works a treat. Soviet watches are the shirehorses of watchdom.
Agreed, and despite that, I have eight :-)
Long overdue, but thank you for the detailed and qualitative reviews you put out there. This one in particular got me hooked on watch collecting. I have not regretted getting my little 670 Amphibia, even though shipping took over 2 months back in the day. 🥴
Boy, I am glad now that I ordered my first komandirskie couple days ago. Thank you sir, this is by far, the best review about vostok watch on the Internet
Nice, thanks. One more coming later, at some point or other.
If you ask vostok amphibia what kind of time he s keeping, the answer is: sometime i go fast, sometime i go slow, sometime i go in the middle or below😂. I love my vostok amphibia.
The exact time is whatever Vostok says it is!
One of the best Vostok historical documentaries I've viewed - Thank you!
Great video and nice to see the some real appreciation for the Amphibia! One important note is that the Amphibia or Komandirkskie are very easy to regulate and all six of mine are averaging +3 to +7 sec a day.
Just got my first Vostok Amphibia and I'm completely bowled over! I absolutely love this watch, Vostok has upgraded their ss bands and the new ones are 100% better!
Great video WoW... love the ending music... SUBSCRIBED!
I have the exact same scuba dude and love it more than some of my more expensive watches. Such a fun rugged design that looks great on a navy blue nato.
When I see a video like this, I can't understand how people would spend big money on some designerwatch where the manufacturer buys some movement, sticks a bit of glitter and their name on it and people spend thousands on that shite.
I love watches that have been made by proper watchmakers, who know their craft and can fully stand behind their product.
Or be lined up and shot if they don't ;) I too value these attributes and also that they are a price that is real world achievable to a lot of people. It makes me laugh when I hear people describe a Rolex as a tool watch - the only thing tool like is the person wearing it.
@@bucknaked6674 haha that's what I always say, it's a tool watch because it's a watch for tools LOL! They make great Rolexes in China I've got a couple of GMTs that you can't tell from real unless you really REALLY know what you are looking at. But unfortunately due to COVID19 I can't buy any more right now so I will just have to grab one of my 200 Vostoks LOL
@@ralfybaby haha gold.. Me thinks that if the world turns to shit due to mass unemployment from Corona, I'd take the vostok over the Rolex. There's a lot to be said for an uncomplicated and agricultural movement that can be serviced with a can of CRC or old sump oil... ;)
@Evocati yeah i'll argue the differ there. Far from trash, agricultural and built to last and easy to repair. The people that have problems with them are literally being too precious about them. Spray some WD-40 in the back of it and give the balance a bit of a gentle prod to coax it back to life. They are a watch that was built to be affordable to the masses, to last, and to be repairable. I guarantee if you get a 2824 serviced after 5 years the watch company will just junk it and put a whole new movement. In contrast, go on the vostok website and you can buy every individual part of the movement for fuck all, and the design is so agricultural that even the average punter would have a decent crack. I understand your view, but I appreciate these basic and frankly rudimentary watches for the simple but clever engineering thats been used to build an affordable, repairable watch that really will work for the original intended purpose
Ralfy Baby HMU with your plug...
I love those watches.. still love them since 1985 when they came in italy.. applause ... very nice video ..
Really great from you to share my country's history and craftsmanship with the world, thanks!
I started my watch business off of importing and reselling Vostok watches. Moved on to custom Vostok hands/dials and then on to custom Seikos.
I wouldn't own any of my Rolex's if it weren't for my Vostoks...
Such a special place in my heart when I see someome wearing a Vostok in the wild.
I deleted @VLAD's comment, because he posted it about 7 times, obviously trying to be a troll.
This is by far the best and most extensive Amphibia video I ever watched. I already have a Komandirskie which I absolutely love, and I am planning on buying the exact model of Amphibia that you have.
Thank you for a great video, and happy New year!
My 7 year old Scuba Dude has been bulletproof....just occasionally polish the crystal to keep it looking spiffy. And as a bonus there are many different bezel inserts available to change the appearance. The entrance points for water are well sealed, in a completely unique manner. There's really nothing quite like it.
Mine has been slightly modified and it is a beautiful watch that is comfortable to wear. No complaints here.
just found your channel today and so happy i did. most underrated watch channel on youtube in my opinion. thoroughly enjoyed the timex video.
Thanks I appreciate it!
I am only just getting into horology and collecting so I am catching up on as many interesting channels as possible. Its my 60th later this year and plan on getting a few watches. On my shortlist are the Seagull 1963 pilot watch. An amazing piece of history and a real chrono for £150 or less. Next is a Vostock Amphibia. Lots of designs and another watch with amazing history. Both should be conversation starters and both in house movements. I plan on getting a Steeldive 1975 "Tuna" homage as well but if I can find another affordable piece of history I could be swayed. Great video with plenty of information. Thank you.
1963 is a beautiful watch. And, it’s actually cheaper to buy in the West than in China. Vostok Amphibia, as you said lots of models and history, very robust. Haven’t tried the Steeldive, but I noticed it’s sourced from Alibaba parts. I was thinking about buying a Tuna or Turtle case off Alibaba and customizing a Miyota movement to throw in. Sounds like you’re going to enjoy your choices.
wonderful storytelling!!! I first saw one in the wild in early 90s, my new supervisor owned one and it was a hit in our dept! He purchased his while visiting Russia. We thought at the time that would be the only way to get one. I also like stamp collecting, I'll look for those stamps! Thank you!!
I’m sold. The only watches I’ve ever owned were swiss made ones, didn’t ever consider looking into any home brands but this made me reconsider, pretty curious piece, also cheap af
Excellent Overview Comrade!
OK, after I watched your video I took off my Amphibia (made in 2016) from the hand and measured the power reserve, it was beyond 31 hour. With Amphibia it is important to follow the instruction - if you ware it after it stopped - you need to fully cock it manually and then if you are wearing it daily it will not require manual cocking and will maintain full energy reserve, my personal experience confirms it.
Mine doesn't maintain full energy reserve after a full winding, even though the self-winding mechanism is functioning perfectly.
This was a great video. So many of the watch channels on youtube are just trying to sell you something. This was a cool little history lesson and it gave me a new appreciation for the engineering of this watch.
I am wearing my 80's Amphibia right now, its been off the wind for a while but it started up on the third twirl of the winder, it keeps astonishingly good time and when I took it to my watch chap he said it was in perfect order. My second is the rather groovy "tonneau" 090 cased beast awaiting a set of paddle hands for it to be finished, the 090 uses a 2209 movement so the second hands are unique to this Amphibia, has the MO printing on the dial and a commemorative message on the back to a ranked soldier from a platoon or squad dated 1985. Got 20 Komandirskies, 1 Cadet and 2 standard Boctok pieces without dial embellishment oh and two 1970's Commanders.
Informative and honest review of this bargain diver -- well done. My Amphibia rates "strong like bull" - it stacks up well against my Seiko Sumo -- the Sumo is more accurate with a much, much better lume, but the Amphib is just as tough and weights 1/2 as much. And yes, it's on NATO strap. And i love the retro/russo/industrial look--- merits its own heroic, social realism poster!
Thanks so much for this review. I love my Amphibia and Scuba Dude already, but I now have a greater appreciation for them now. They really are built like tanks and just plain cool. Cheers!
The bezel is depressed further into the casing with the more atmospheric pressure as you dive deeper. Just like the crystal. Speaking from personal experience, it works very effectively. I've seen several of these videos and the same ponderment comes up.
Interesting, thanks.
Brilliant video with the most thorough review of the Amphibia I've seen!
The Ministry cushion cased is my favourite had mine for about four years intended to change the strap straight away, but the jubilee like strap is not that bad and have left it be. Mine gains about 25 secs a day. Lume on hands does last all night it's not in the same class as Seiko\Citizen, but I can see the time satisfactory. Used it on holiday shallow dives and found at about 10 metres the bezel stiffens up, I have never noticed mine move accidentally in general use though. Let's face it for proper diving your going to be using a dive computer,
I've had more comments made about this watch than any other I own. They reckon the service life is 10 years be interesting to see if this is true.... Well if it stops working I'll just buy another... For a tool\beach\holiday watch you really can't go wrong if lost, stolen or damaged ( that would be difficult ) you can't go wrong. These things are meant to be used and not cosseted.
I am from Russia. And i did not know about so many advantages of this watches! Those, that seemed bad, is a fascinating! Thank you, for opening my eyes! Most of russian dont know about it! Not most! Nobody!
Love the comment! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Not only that, but at one point, your country had a truly great watchmaking industry with plenty of quality choices. Raketa, Poljot, Luch, ZIM, Pobeda, and others. This American is proud to own a couple of them and you are spoiled for choice nowadays on Ebay as well as local markets.
Thanks for sharing the history of Boctok watches. It was interesting to learn about.
Love the channel. I just discovered this watch (late I know) but I’ve been looking into other brands that have deep history and unique design that may (may not) increase in value because of their history later on in the future, and I believe that this watch is one kind that will. I love your review. You gave credit and didn’t disrespect the watch in-spite if it’s imperfections. I want to have at least one of these watches in my inventory, and I think I’m going to get one. I’m an invocation guy, but as a watch enthusiast, history is a major part of my collection. Thanks so much!! Love the channel!! Keep reviewing and teaching.
My first Vostok is on the way, and I can tell there will be more!
You mean **our watch** dear comrade.
@@DiegoBoss_ Haha! True. I have misspoken!
I'm 1% Russian now 😂😂😸
I have one. I replaced the bezel with a standard unit. This is a very under rated watch. Thanks for the video.
I personally like the one with white dial. I just had my komandirskie and planning to get white dial Amphibian scuba dude in a couple months. Great video, thanks dude.
I really enjoyed this video, thank you. Today I received my new Amphibia from Russia. It is the 710335-22 model. It looks great and I will see how it's time keeping goes. It's my second Amphibia. I have been enjoying my 090652 Rally for the last 16 months and I'm very happy with it.
Wow! This is by far the best watch video I've ever seen on UA-cam and I've literally seen hundreds of them. Thanks so much for uploading. I've now been inspired to order my first Vostok. It will probably make me feel like a Russian Cold War spy. I'm guessing the acrylic domed crystal will be a haven for scratches.
Nice! I have two now and wear them regularly. They have so much character.
True, acrylic crystals are notorious for being scratch-prone, but on the plus side, the scratches are reportedly easy to remove using toothpaste or polyWatch (both very inexpensive). I haven't personally tried buffing any of the crystals on my watches, but I am extra careful not to get my watches scraped to begin with.
Мне часы Vostok достались по наследству, работают уже больше 40 лет. Ничего в них не ломалось никогда. Стекло царапается, но очень легко полируется. Подвод стрелок делаю один раз в месяц. Vostok часы на века.
I inherited Vostok watches, they have been working for more than 40 years. Nothing in them has ever broken. The glass is scratched, but very easy to polish. I move the arrows once a month. Vostok watches for centuries.
Spot on. Love the watch, hate the bracelet, changed it to nato. the only thing is that the lumes on mine get me through the night just fine. price is so low that one can not complain.
Thank you for your high, high-quality videos!
You are right saying the movement is not accurate, but the reason being it is not accurately regulated at the factory, I have regulated the watch myself and now it runs very precise
Mine runs a steady +3 per day after regulation, they can be very accurate for sure.
Correct....Jody at "Just One More Watch" put one on a timegrapher......it registered +14s/d.....He easily got it to +2s/day........
I set mine to -2 seconds a day. Very pleased with this watch. Been wearing mine non stop for 7 years now.
The history and original features of these make them one of the most interesting brands.
absolutely, Vostok is worth it for the history gimmick alone. But let me tell you... my scuba dude is my ultimate beater companion. I swim with it, I do heavy duty stuff with it, hell, this is the only watch I can put on a Zulu and safely go to Russian sauna, then take a drive in a lake, they couldn't give two shits. It even has burns from barbecue on it's bezel 😂
Just found your channel today! Dude...I'm just saying...you really should make more videos. LOVED your video on Timex, and why watch enthusiasts don't consider it a collectible.
I have to say that on my amphibia at least, the lume is not very bright as you said but it does last the entire night.
I have a 1970s Amphibia, a Vostok Sputnik, and a modern 'Diver Dude' in my collection. So far. There will be more. Love Russian watches.
So happy that I found your channel! Wonderful, informative, and accessible and presented in a charismatic, engaging manner.
I have this one modded Scubadude with a blue diver bezel and on a Blueshark seatbelt Nato. I love the vintagy vibe. It is my Lada Niva of watches. I bought a special edition Radio room no date as well. The non quick set date setting is a pain so buy one without a date.
This is my favorite Vostok Amphibian video. I bought that exact model because of it, and also added on the Vostok mesh bracelet. Hope to see you make more videos!
Do you know the whple reference number of the watch and the site where you got it from?
@@petermikus2363 here you, Meranom is the factory store. The watch you can find on eBay if it’s out of stock at Meranom. The 18mm mesh you’ll likely have to get from Meranom itself as I’ve never found on eBay.
Vostok Watch Amphibian Classic 420059
meranom.com/en/amphibian-classic/420/vostok-watch-amphibian-classic-420059.html
Vostok Watch Mesh Bracelet 18mm
meranom.com/en/amphibian-classic/bracelets/mesh-bracelet-18mm-b.html
Also get the scuba dude caseback
Vostok Watch Scubadude caseback
meranom.com/en/index.php?route=product/search&search=Scuba%20dude&filter_name=Scuba%20dude
The Vostok is the AK of the watch world. You can take it to hell and back, just not to a fancy dinner party where the Rolex's and Omega's hang out.
If you got enough balls, im sure you can take it even to those
Kenny VanCleave you could take it to a fancy dinner party, so long as you know it’s history and wear an outfit that compliments it. When you are among the wealthy, money is but a number. History and rarity are the things that are valued.
a Rolex is still far better in both cases.
Better Mouztrap no, a simple navy or charcoal suit depending on what color dial you have.
Better Mouztrap you forget, this was the navies general purpose watch. They wore this watch even with their dress attire. Formal wear hasn’t changed much since the Soviet era, the fit has just gotten slimmer.
I love your directness and pronunciation.
Man I just got mine in today. I already love it. I don't have hairy wrists so the bracelet works just fine for me, and I don't dive so bezel is no problem.
Well said. IMO way too much has been made of the Vostok SS bracelet. And as for the bezel, it's not as if people buy the Amphibia for the purpose of diving with it. I have *two* dive watches with ratchet bezels, and not only am I not a diver (used to dive years ago, before I ever owned a dive watch LOL), I have no need to so much as turn those bezels.
This is one of the best informative videos about Vostok's Amphibia watches. Also visually supported with very clear views about the watch's sealing & mechanism & acrylic crystal etc too. Thanks a lot for this nice video. 👍🏻👌🏻
In Soviet Russia, the watch winds you.
👍👏💥🇷🇺
God, it's been years since I've seen or heard one of these jokes lmao
I love mine! I got it with the orange and black striped nylon strap, it kind of looks like a St George ribbon. I wanted a watch that would last forever and I believe I got one! Sweet review, I dig the history of it. Pretty cool 😎
more than 30 in my collection, 15 different shape in the cases, and hundreds of dials.
Hi. May you give me a tip where could I find some dials for replacement?
@@wach9191 at meranom.com 😎
@@wach9191 ebay too
@@wach9191 Favinov and Bestrus on ebay are Vostok kings :) Bestrus often has quite cheap Komandirskies too and have found some very unusual dials on his shop for the Komandirskie.
I have the same one. I have bout it in 2001 and use them for 2012 . Two times service them, but not repiar. Now keep them as a memory. I have only positive memories. First off all than I have put my hands into the water, at first I was afraid to broke my watch, but whan anderstend - this is Amfibia! The second - I have touched some steel things with the glass of my watch and it become smooth but in 2-3 days it become clear again! I think it is a best buy from the russian models.
Great video! Thank you for the history lesson, it makes one appreciate the simple, no frills Amphibia.
BTW I know the Sub is fake because of the bezel insert. On a real one the numbers and markers are sunken and laid with platinum
Modded mine with aftermarket dial and hands with a lume formula from this century and a bezel that is actually useable and now its perfect.
Despite - mostly minor - issues found in them, I think Vostok are the best affordable mechanical watches currently made. I have some Vostoks, as well as some Chinese affordable pieces and Vostok cheapies are better than Chinese cheapies. I’m currently waiting for an Amfibia Reef from the new issue and I think it is a bargain - 20atm, date, GMT and automatic mvt below $200 is always a treat :)
I just found a Vostok authorised seller in the city I'm based right now in Turkey and plan to see some next week. They have quite a big range so will probably find at least one I like. It's a great addition to a collection flaws or no flaws. Excellent video btw.
Enjoy 👍🏻
Where in Turkey, can you share?
Two UA-camrs have pressure tested Vostoks to over 700m !! Insane result for a $75 dive watch !
Vostoks don't need to be hand wound as the auto mechanism winds in both directions unlike Seiko.
Thank you! Vostok - is the best! Respect from Russia! Thank you for learning the history of our legendary Vostok watch. Many interesting technical solutions are used in this watch (if you are interested, see my review in Russian). Sometimes the quality is not the best. But it mostly refers to the build quality. For example, before using in water, it is sometimes necessary to check that the back cover is fully screwed on. At this price, there is no other fully manufactured watch with its glorious history and original designs on the world market!
Made by engineers, not designers. And that's a compliment.
It is a simple and relatively cheap watch. So, in that respect, it is a great watch.
Thank you. This is exactly the information i am looking for! The engineering details, including durability.
The Russians, when we look at how modest their funds are, are ingenious engineers and innovators. Neither the Swiss nor the Germans could make such a durable watch even at a price that is 5X higher than the average price of a Vostok watch.
Umm Japanese?
@@ChromeMan04 can you find an automatic diver for 70 pounds from japan?