Post by Adrian-VTA on May 29, 2015 20:46:41 GMT -8
I think the Vostoks are a hidden gem. A 200m diver with 50 years of history for under a hundred bucks, bargain.
I've got a Amphibia 1967 and a "Scuba Dude". The Scuba Dude was originally the pre-2009 one with the really rich dark blue dial, but they turn to brown in the sun (like mine did in the Australian weather, literally within a few hours), so I had to replace the dial with the not as nice ocean blue dial. The oean blue dial doesn't fade. I still have the stock bracelet on mine that needed a lot of work on to make barely wearable.
The sealing system is GREAT, it uses a massive flat seal on the back, which is locked down by a screw down locking ring (better in my opinion than a conventional case) and the crown is screw down. Crystal is a thick acrylic.
Here's a pic I stole, see the huge black ring? Yeah that's a seal, the contact area is literally 5 times + the size of most other divers and because of the unique caseback design, can't be deformed or popped out under very high pressure -
From WUS -
Quote Originally Posted by d777777
"I cant say anything about 200m,but i can say this.Few months ago,when i receive my amphibia(ministry case) i start to visiting this forum and most of comments was that the watch is unbreakable.
So i deicide to put it on test.And i did.
I put the watch in 5 liter of water,ten i put the water in deep freeze.
Day and half later ,took it out(it was a brick)and i can still hear ticking,then to shock the watch even more,i've unfrezze it with hot water.
Untill this day works great,no complaints.They can say what they want,
but this is tuffest watch that i ever have.
My faithful companion."
The movement itself is a low-beat 5 beats per second automatic. They run literally forever without a service. Second hand is indirectly driven, so you get the stutter. They hand wind but don't hack. The date is not a quick set. Finish is "agricultural" and a step below stock SEIKO finish. It's a 31 jeweller (31 Kameny in Cyrillic).
Dial and hands are more crude than you would be used to on a SEIKO. Batons are kinda cheap looking. All the hands are the same and have a "Chinese Rolex Copy" feel to them. Lume is rubbish on the bog standard models unfortunately. The upmarket Vostoks user Super Luminova.
The bracelets are utter garbage, chintzy "mall watch" feel. So replace it right away. Some of the upmarket ones have brilliant bracelets.
If you're buying one, be careful with the versions. The "Komadirskie" depending which year and model you get often doesn't have a screw down crown and is only a plated base metal case. That said, Vostok and now whacking Komandirskie dials in Amphibia (the diver) cases. It's something to be cautious of. Ebay user "zenitar" does a full range of them and parts, and is a nice guy to deal with.
Here's mine -
Scuba Dude
1967 (this thing is huge and weighs 250 grams!) -
I've got a Amphibia 1967 and a "Scuba Dude". The Scuba Dude was originally the pre-2009 one with the really rich dark blue dial, but they turn to brown in the sun (like mine did in the Australian weather, literally within a few hours), so I had to replace the dial with the not as nice ocean blue dial. The oean blue dial doesn't fade. I still have the stock bracelet on mine that needed a lot of work on to make barely wearable.
The sealing system is GREAT, it uses a massive flat seal on the back, which is locked down by a screw down locking ring (better in my opinion than a conventional case) and the crown is screw down. Crystal is a thick acrylic.
Here's a pic I stole, see the huge black ring? Yeah that's a seal, the contact area is literally 5 times + the size of most other divers and because of the unique caseback design, can't be deformed or popped out under very high pressure -
From WUS -
Quote Originally Posted by d777777
"I cant say anything about 200m,but i can say this.Few months ago,when i receive my amphibia(ministry case) i start to visiting this forum and most of comments was that the watch is unbreakable.
So i deicide to put it on test.And i did.
I put the watch in 5 liter of water,ten i put the water in deep freeze.
Day and half later ,took it out(it was a brick)and i can still hear ticking,then to shock the watch even more,i've unfrezze it with hot water.
Untill this day works great,no complaints.They can say what they want,
but this is tuffest watch that i ever have.
My faithful companion."
The movement itself is a low-beat 5 beats per second automatic. They run literally forever without a service. Second hand is indirectly driven, so you get the stutter. They hand wind but don't hack. The date is not a quick set. Finish is "agricultural" and a step below stock SEIKO finish. It's a 31 jeweller (31 Kameny in Cyrillic).
Dial and hands are more crude than you would be used to on a SEIKO. Batons are kinda cheap looking. All the hands are the same and have a "Chinese Rolex Copy" feel to them. Lume is rubbish on the bog standard models unfortunately. The upmarket Vostoks user Super Luminova.
The bracelets are utter garbage, chintzy "mall watch" feel. So replace it right away. Some of the upmarket ones have brilliant bracelets.
If you're buying one, be careful with the versions. The "Komadirskie" depending which year and model you get often doesn't have a screw down crown and is only a plated base metal case. That said, Vostok and now whacking Komandirskie dials in Amphibia (the diver) cases. It's something to be cautious of. Ebay user "zenitar" does a full range of them and parts, and is a nice guy to deal with.
Here's mine -
Scuba Dude
1967 (this thing is huge and weighs 250 grams!) -
