Vostok watches (Восток)
I have just discovered these Russian watches a couple of months ago, and I am already addicted! I have tried to gather some information I have found all over the internet related to these watches and this historic brand.
History(from http://www.russianwatchguide.com/vostok.htm)
Vostok is one of the best-known Russian watch brands. They manufacture durable, good quality watches with mechanical jeweled movements that don't cost a lot of money. A typical Vostok watch sells between $50 and $150, though some models cost more. Many Vostok watches are designed in the style of military or diver's watches.
Vostok started producing watches in 1942, though didn't start using the Vostok brand until the 1960's. In 1965 the company was appointed an official supplier of watches for the Defense Department of the Soviet Union. Vostok has won a number of international prizes for both quality and commercial success. According to the company's website, their current philosophy "is to create mechanical watches maintaining precise timekeeping at any temperature, in any environment, surviving heavy pressure and blows."
In 2004, Vostok entered into a joint venture with a Lithuanian company to create Vostok-Europe.
Vostok means "east" in Russian and was the name of a Russian spacecraft first launched in 1960.
Several sources have reported that Vostok filed for bankruptcy in early 2010, though production has continued and the watches are still available. The official Vostok website is closed as of this update.
here is another link with more history about the brand: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vostok_watches
Vostok Amphibia design (Восток Амфибия)
There is a great post on Watchuseek forum explaining the original and creative design of the unique amphibia model: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f54/vostok-amphibia-analysis-design-methodology-491757.html
This is a great read for anyone interested in watches or creative design in general.
Basically, instead of trying to fight against the water pressure, the engineers have used the pressure to make the watch more water resistant. A little bit like in some martial arts, where you use the strength of your opponent against him ...
This is very ingenious!
Another review of this watch: http://www.webwatchworld.com/vostok-amphibia/
Great details on the 2416b movement: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f54/vostok-2416b-service-notes-240805.html
Where to buy?
I bought mine on ebay: very happy with zenitar store (http://stores.ebay.com/zenitar-store?_rdc=1), fast shipping, beautiful watch, very accurate; a little bit disappointed by chistopol store (http://stores.ebay.com/ChistopolCity-Store?_rdc=1) ... very long delay for shipping (I am talking 6 to 8 weeks here, double of what was originally planned), watch is nice too, but a small piece of painting came out on the dial, and it runs a little slow ... I don’t know if I was just lucky with Zenitar or if they do more checking before sending ...
Also, you have to know that Chistopol store on ebay is more expensive than their online store (probably because of ebay fees ...?): http://chistopolcity.com/
I also read on the web that smir is a famous Vostok online watch seller: http://smirs.com/en/
A quick note about RussArmy
Because I bought one watch on ebay from this brand, I did some research and found the following: it is a former, US-based supplier of Vostok watches, some rebranded with the RussArmy logo. The watch is basically an enhanced version of Vostok (amphibia in my case): better quality wristband, better stainless steel case and unidirectional rotating bezel (check the pictures below)
History(from http://www.russianwatchguide.com/vostok.htm)
Vostok is one of the best-known Russian watch brands. They manufacture durable, good quality watches with mechanical jeweled movements that don't cost a lot of money. A typical Vostok watch sells between $50 and $150, though some models cost more. Many Vostok watches are designed in the style of military or diver's watches.
Vostok started producing watches in 1942, though didn't start using the Vostok brand until the 1960's. In 1965 the company was appointed an official supplier of watches for the Defense Department of the Soviet Union. Vostok has won a number of international prizes for both quality and commercial success. According to the company's website, their current philosophy "is to create mechanical watches maintaining precise timekeeping at any temperature, in any environment, surviving heavy pressure and blows."
In 2004, Vostok entered into a joint venture with a Lithuanian company to create Vostok-Europe.
Vostok means "east" in Russian and was the name of a Russian spacecraft first launched in 1960.
Several sources have reported that Vostok filed for bankruptcy in early 2010, though production has continued and the watches are still available. The official Vostok website is closed as of this update.
here is another link with more history about the brand: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vostok_watches
Vostok Amphibia design (Восток Амфибия)
There is a great post on Watchuseek forum explaining the original and creative design of the unique amphibia model: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f54/vostok-amphibia-analysis-design-methodology-491757.html
This is a great read for anyone interested in watches or creative design in general.
Basically, instead of trying to fight against the water pressure, the engineers have used the pressure to make the watch more water resistant. A little bit like in some martial arts, where you use the strength of your opponent against him ...
This is very ingenious!
Another review of this watch: http://www.webwatchworld.com/vostok-amphibia/
Great details on the 2416b movement: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f54/vostok-2416b-service-notes-240805.html
Where to buy?
I bought mine on ebay: very happy with zenitar store (http://stores.ebay.com/zenitar-store?_rdc=1), fast shipping, beautiful watch, very accurate; a little bit disappointed by chistopol store (http://stores.ebay.com/ChistopolCity-Store?_rdc=1) ... very long delay for shipping (I am talking 6 to 8 weeks here, double of what was originally planned), watch is nice too, but a small piece of painting came out on the dial, and it runs a little slow ... I don’t know if I was just lucky with Zenitar or if they do more checking before sending ...
Also, you have to know that Chistopol store on ebay is more expensive than their online store (probably because of ebay fees ...?): http://chistopolcity.com/
I also read on the web that smir is a famous Vostok online watch seller: http://smirs.com/en/
A quick note about RussArmy
Because I bought one watch on ebay from this brand, I did some research and found the following: it is a former, US-based supplier of Vostok watches, some rebranded with the RussArmy logo. The watch is basically an enhanced version of Vostok (amphibia in my case): better quality wristband, better stainless steel case and unidirectional rotating bezel (check the pictures below)
Vostok RussArmy Red October Amphibian
My first one, the famous 2416B caliber, 31 jewels
Vostok Amphibian
Very new, got it from Chistopol store, really like this one!