Multitool.org Forum
Non Tool Forum => Gadget Freak and EDC Forum => Topic started by: Grathr on August 07, 2014, 06:43:47 PM
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First: Lets ignore all politics on this one.
For some time I have been thinking of getting a mechanical wrist watch. I have never owned one before and didnt want to spend a lot on the first one in case I constantly would forget to wind it up.
Then I stumbled upon the brand Vostok in another thread here. A quick search on ebay revealed that I could get a Vostok Komandirskie mechanical watch for $30 pluss shipping, wich is below the toll limit. I knew I had to buy one, and so I did.
The watch arrived today, and I decided to give myself a challenge. I will wear this watch for 30 days no matter what.
I might regret it later.
During the challenge I will measure how it holds time, glows in the dark, write a little about the history of Vostok and tell you what I think about it.
Anyway, here are some pics.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/08/abuna7ut.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/08/je3agyda.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/08/ytepata3.jpg)
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That's a nice looking watch :tu:
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Ooo, I always wanted a vostok, one of the auto diver models. But the domed plastic crystal worries me so I never pulled the trigger.
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First impressions:
Smurf! What have I done? I have only had it for a few hours, and it has already stopped! :facepalm:
I have wound it up once more, and it started again, but this does not look good...
Anyway. On the plus side, it has a rotatitng bezel that actually rotates very smoothly. And when it runs it is totally silent.
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hopefully you can get it going right, otherwise this is going to be a rough challenge.
good luck and keep us posted. I think it looks great!
there is one advantage that a analog watch has over a digital one.
no matter what, it is always right at least twice a day :rofl:
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First impressions:
Smurf! What have I done? I have only had it for a few hours, and it has already stopped! :facepalm:
I have wound it up once more, and it started again, but this does not look good...
Anyway. On the plus side, it has a rotatitng bezel that actually rotates very smoothly. And when it runs it is totally silent.
Get off that couch. :twak: and start moving...
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I had two Vostok watches in the past and had no problems with them at all. Mind you that was almost 20 years ago.
Some automatics are like that- you have to wear them for a bit before you can wear them if you get my drift. I usually slap an auto on my hand to feel the weight spin when I put one on that has stopped. For some this only gets them running for a bit and they wind down faster than the wind up during normal wear. After they are wound up properly (a few hours of wearing) they are usually good to go.
I don't have enough auto watch experience to say if this is "normal" or not, but it is something I have encountered. Don't write the watch off just for that.
Def
Sent from my smurfing hunk of techno sorcery
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First impressions:
Smurf! What have I done? I have only had it for a few hours, and it has already stopped! :facepalm:
I have wound it up once more, and it started again, but this does not look good...
Anyway. On the plus side, it has a rotatitng bezel that actually rotates very smoothly. And when it runs it is totally silent.
Stick your ear to the watch. You should definitely hear it tick
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I have a soft spot of mechanicals. I have 2, a Zed MT.O special and a Bulova. Yours is a nice looking watch, I hope it works out for you.
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There has been some time now where i dont even consider wearing a watch if its not mechanical, to me they are special unlike any quartz, eco, kinetic, etc.
That watch can handle anything you throw at it, but it is possible it might come with a factory flaw or need of adjustment although not the most common scenario. If i may suggest you should add water, jumping, running and all sorts of non watch healthy activities to try its full potential :pok:
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Ok. I have found the problem, its me. :facepalm:
I wound it up the wrong way. After looking through the box I found a english manual. I thought there only was the russian one wich I did not understand much of. Thank you russian ebay seller :salute:
Now it works fine. :D
By the way. Its not an automatic. I have to wind it up every day...
Stay tuned. Im bound to forget to wind it up one day. :facepalm:
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that's a nice a watch
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You got me looking at amphibian on ebay again... :facepalm:
This one (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/RUSSIAN-VOSTOK-AUTO-AMPHIBIAN-WATCH-0113b-NEW-/120704085089) specifically.
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You got me looking at amphibian on ebay again... :facepalm:
This one (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/RUSSIAN-VOSTOK-AUTO-AMPHIBIAN-WATCH-0113b-NEW-/120704085089) specifically.
I have been looking on those as well. I might get one if like this one and get sick of winding it up.
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Oh not an auto. Yeah, I have a few of those...and I can't stand winding them up. Mind you, they do have character. :hatsoff: to you for going 30 with it.
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You got me looking at amphibian on ebay again... :facepalm:
This one (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/RUSSIAN-VOSTOK-AUTO-AMPHIBIAN-WATCH-0113b-NEW-/120704085089) specifically.
I have been looking on those as well. I might get one if like this one and get sick of winding it up.
I have a cheapie DX auto, and I found I don't really walk enough everyday to keep it wound. Not sure if vostok will be any different.
On the bright side, you can always set the time against your phone if you forgot to wind it. :D
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A quick update:
The watch has been running continously since yesterday and I actually remembered to wind it up this morning. :)
According to the manual, it will only need to be wound up once a day. Time will show if that is enough.
Accuracy: it has lost aprox 12 secs in the last 20 hours. I dont know if that is normal for a mechanical watch or not. It is certainly more than Im used to.
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A quick update:
The watch has been running continously since yesterday and I actually remembered to wind it up this morning. :)
According to the manual, it will only need to be wound up once a day. Time will show if that is enough.
Accuracy: it has lost aprox 12 secs in the last 20 hours. I dont know if that is normal for a mechanical watch or not. It is certainly more than Im used to.
12 secs in 20 hours is pretty good for the average mechanical :tu:
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A quick update:
The watch has been running continously since yesterday and I actually remembered to wind it up this morning. :)
According to the manual, it will only need to be wound up once a day. Time will show if that is enough.
Accuracy: it has lost aprox 12 secs in the last 20 hours. I dont know if that is normal for a mechanical watch or not. It is certainly more than Im used to.
12 secs in 20 hours is pretty good for the average mechanical :tu:
Thank you! :salute:
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How to you find the quality of the dial compare to other brands like citizen etc? On ebay they seem pretty crude, letters/images on dial looks like they are painted on with soft borders and dull appearance.
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How to you find the quality of the dial compare to other brands like citizen etc? On ebay they seem pretty crude, letters/images on dial looks like they are painted on with soft borders and dull appearance.
Comparing it to a citizen watch would be unfair, considering this is a $30 watch.
Im no expert, and have few expensive watches but it looks pretty crisp and tidy to me. There are very crisp individual numbers in small print for every 2 seconds, wich is nice. The big numbers have a border on them wich makes them look a little softer, especially on a cell phone camera.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/09/dahude5u.jpg)
Some of the luminus marks are a little uneven, and does not glow in the dark as well as Id like.
But then again, it is only a $30 watch.
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Nice looking watch :tu: I've had a few Vostok's and never had any issued,as for winding autos since my first was a Seiko 6309 and you can wind them with there crown I just flick the watch side to side to wind them :tu:
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Grathr, although it is not the 'automatic' watch you set out to get, it is still a pretty neat winding watch at only 30 bucks. :tu:
Losing 12sec on a daily basis is quite a lot, but let's observe it for longer time to see whether this loss is variable or a predictable error.
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Comparing it to a citizen watch would be unfair, considering this is a $30 watch.
Im no expert, and have few expensive watches but it looks pretty crisp and tidy to me. There are very crisp individual numbers in small print for every 2 seconds, wich is nice. The big numbers have a border on them wich makes them look a little softer, especially on a cell phone camera.
Some of the luminus marks are a little uneven, and does not glow in the dark as well as Id like.
But then again, it is only a $30 watch.
You are right, I was thinking more of the amphibian, which is more comparable. Unfortunately at almost 3x the price it doesn't seem to have any better fit&finish.
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The differences between the Amphibian and Komandirskie: The komandirskies have chrome-plated brass cases while the Amphibians have Stainless steel ones. The Amphibians are automatics while the Komandirskie is handwind. The Amphibian is a dive watch and has better water resistance. All that explains the price difference.
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Pretty fond of russian gear myself especially if its soviet era made/designs.
30 seconds is nothing on a mechanical watch (or auto)
Some of my vintage citizens are less than that but the forums suggest the new auto movements thats standard as price vs production cost
I like vintage auto's and mech winds for two reasons
1) They are servicable items that in theory will work for long after any battery/solar unit (the mad max requirement)
2) Usually can get a nice 2nd hand classy piece for the $25 or less making it ideal for travelling globally where you need possesions that might be lost or stolen but give you a good impression in formal situation (the sophisticated hipster contingency)
Daily i rock the ecodrive though, since most people dont use wrissmurfches at all these days and you still have your cellphone i don't think 30 days is a big deal but i do salute you embarking on wearing it and winding it for general nostalgia. :salute: :salute:
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wrissmurfches :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
that gets me EVERY time. :)
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This one's pretty cool, even has a submarine on the dial.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-AUTO-WATCH-WOSTOK-VOSTOK-AMPHIBIAN-200-m-DIVER-MILITARY-NYLON-STRAP-A1735N-/221499008266?pt=Wrissmurfches&hash=item33925ea50a
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTAwWDkwMA==/z/b~0AAOSwEK9Tymgy/$_57.JPG)
and the face of this one just SCREAMS Russian to me.
It's a little bit hideous, but very cool because of that.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODEyWDgxMA==/z/~3wAAOSwnDZT442X/$_57.JPG)
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Ooo I like the 1st one, better than the anchor dial I posted earlier.
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Wrissmurfches! :rant: wrissmurfches! :rant: wrissmurfches! :twak:
You smurf :P
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Those amphibians are looking more and more tempting :twak:
Morning update:
The watch was still running this morning. One wind up a day seems to be enough.
Accuracy: Its now 24 sec behind. I think I will reset it later today.
I have been testing the luminous dials during the night, and I am a bit disapointed. It takes light easily, but does not hold it long. I must do a proper comparison to a couple of other watches in a controlled enviroment later.
Does the Amphibians luminous dials work well?
What I do like about it so far:
I like the way it looks and the size is perfect.
I love that it is so silent and way the smooth way it runs.
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Those amphibians are looking more and more tempting :twak:
They are unique looking. Since the rice is around the $70 mark, I'd also look into Invictica divers. A forum member, jekostas, mentioned the Invicta automatic pro in another thread. It might be worth a look.
Morning update:
The watch was still running this morning. One wind up a day seems to be enough.
Accuracy: Its now 24 sec behind. I think I will reset it later today.
I've read it takes a few months for a new mechanical watch to settle in, so you might experience some fluctuations in timekeeping during that time.
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Did a bit more reading and measuring, the amphibians are actually quite small (but tall). only 40mm wide and the round case has 18mm lug. I'm going with the square case with 22mm lug, http://www.ebay.ca/itm/121123685052?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
I would never buy an invicta, won't touch watch from a fashion brand.
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Did a bit more reading and measuring, the amphibians are actually quite small (but tall). only 40mm wide and the round case has 18mm lug. I'm going with the square case with 22mm lug, http://www.ebay.ca/itm/121123685052?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/121123685052?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)
I would never buy an invicta, won't touch watch from a fashion brand.
Looking forward to reading what you think of it.
Right now, what annoys me most with the kommanderskie is the poorly iluminated dials. It does not glow long at all. I vent to the cinema today, and after sitting in the theatre for 15 min with dimmed lights, I could not se the luminous markings at all when the light went out. And I have been wearing a t-shirt all day, so it has gotten a lot of exposure to light.
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Will do once I get it.
The lume issue is quite common with lower priced watches, my first good watch was a Festina from 16 or 17 years ago, the lume is so smurfty it lasts 30 minutes tops. Wanted an tritium watch because of it, but once I have watch with good lume that easily last all night long I no longer think tritium is necessary.
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I guess I have been spoiled by my wenger classic field watch, that holds the light for hours.
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Did a bit more reading and measuring, the amphibians are actually quite small (but tall). only 40mm wide and the round case has 18mm lug. I'm going with the square case with 22mm lug
38-40mm and 18mm straps is my ideal watch size. Pre- 90s this was the standard.
Grathr, knd of bummed for you now that you got the komm' instead of the amph'. Stainless steel case and auto-wind with optional manual wind .
I wonder how similar the watch hand mount is to seiko. They have a huge aftermarket support and you may be able to self-upgrade the luminous hands cheaply
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That's a nice watch. Love mechanical watches. They are my favorite.
Can you take the back off and adjust it? The fact that it is losing 12 seconds every day is a good sign. Means it is not inconsistent. You should be able to speed it up a tad.
That's us mobile.
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The back can be taken off, but I dont feel competent enough to start messing with the mechanism or the watch hands.
I might try it later though. :salute:
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I reset the watch today. Resetting it once every three days or so wont be a big issue for me.
I also decided to test the lume of the Komanedrskie against some of my other watches.
The contestants where a cheap Q&Q all plastic watch wich I bougt for $8 on spain 4years ago, a Casio EFR 526 and a Wenger Classic Field Watch.
I let them all lay outside facing the sun for 5mins, before putting them in a storage room with no windows.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/10/dehuvy4u.jpg)
Right away: all where visible, But the vostok was barely readable.
7min: Q&Q and Vostok unreadable. I could find the Q&Q because of the faint glow of the digits, but hands where invisible. The Vostok I could not find at all. The Casio and wenger where fully readable and going strong.
17min: wenger best casio second,both readable and going strong.
After that I stopped the test.
If I had stayed in the room the whole time letting my night vision improve, they would probably remain visible longer, but the result would probably be the same.
This means that the Komanderskie is not really suitable for me during autoumn, winter and spring :(
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38-40mm and 18mm straps is my ideal watch size. Pre- 90s this was the standard.
Yeah they've grown in the past few years. I still have the little timex I bought in highschool, 33mm, look weird now.
My wrist aren't thick, but luckily I'm fat enough to wear bigger watches without looking out of place.
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:popcorn:
I'll be watching this(sic :facepalm:) with great interest!
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Vostok make great watches. The Amphibian is awesome, and is a *really* interesting watch from a design standpoint
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Oh Grathr when you hand wound yours, after it's fully wound does the mainspring slip or just stop going any further?
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Oh Grathr when you hand wound yours, after it's fully wound does the mainspring slip or just stop going any further?
It stops.
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This is an exceptionally thorough look at the design methodology behind the Vostok Amphibia watch. If you like mechanical or diving watches (or some insane combination of the two) you'll probably find it interesting:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f54/vostok-amphibia-analysis-design-methodology-491757.html
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This is an exceptionally thorough look at the design methodology behind the Vostok Amphibia watch. If you like mechanical or diving watches (or some insane combination of the two) you'll probably find it interesting:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f54/vostok-amphibia-analysis-design-methodology-491757.html
This thread had got me looking into Amphibia's and i'd only just read that article yesterday, particularly liked the conclusion
Many terms has been used to describe Russian design and engineering: "crude but effective" is most often heard. It is pointless to question the effectiveness of the Amphibia design; in fact it is far more advanced than anything else. Using a clear vision to see the actual requirements, and then arriving at a most effective solution, is anything but crude; in fact it is the art of the designer at its highest order. By comparison, no matter how finely a one-piece caseback is made and decorated, it is still no more than a glorified jam jar lid. To be realistic, it is better to consider the Amphibia design as an example of design, rather than a "Russian" design, and judge its merits as such.
particulary referring to the single piece caseback as glorified jam jar lids :rofl:
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This is an exceptionally thorough look at the design methodology behind the Vostok Amphibia watch. If you like mechanical or diving watches (or some insane combination of the two) you'll probably find it interesting:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f54/vostok-amphibia-analysis-design-methodology-491757.html (http://forums.watchuseek.com/f54/vostok-amphibia-analysis-design-methodology-491757.html)
Thank you!
That actually explains a lot of why it looks the way it looks. The disign is pure genius by the way.
And :twak:
Now I have to get one!
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Thank you!
That actually explains a lot of why it looks the way it looks. The disign is pure genius by the way.
And :twak:
Now I have to get one!
Mine is already in the mail :dwts: :surrender:
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I will have to see if they make a pocket version.
That's us mobile.
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This is an exceptionally thorough look at the design methodology behind the Vostok Amphibia watch. If you like mechanical or diving watches (or some insane combination of the two) you'll probably find it interesting:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f54/vostok-amphibia-analysis-design-methodology-491757.html (http://forums.watchuseek.com/f54/vostok-amphibia-analysis-design-methodology-491757.html)
Thank you!
That actually explains a lot of why it looks the way it looks. The disign is pure genius by the way.
And :twak:
Now I have to get one!
It's a good design no doubt, but from what I read the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Many say it will be a good watch, if yours came waterproof.
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Wrissmurfches! :rant: wrissmurfches! :rant: wrissmurfches! :twak:
You smurf :P
Take your pick:
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Mine shipped. Consider both Russian and Canada post offices are known for their relaxed work speed, I'm not holding my breath for it.
According to many the included bracelet is made of old soda cans and beer caps, so I'm wondering if I should get a new one preemptively, or wait and see.
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Mine shipped. Consider both Russian and Canada post offices are known for their relaxed work speed, I'm not holding my breath for it.
According to many the included bracelet is made of old soda cans and beer caps, so I'm wondering if I should get a new one preemptively, or wait and see.
You may as well start looking now. The straps are really, really awful.
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I guess I'll have to wait to see it before deciding what looks good with it. Luckily it shares lug size with my Momentum deep 6 so I have a few spare zulu and rubber.
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Good to see Vostoks getting a mention around these parts. I've owned two Amphibians- my current one and the one given to my Dad a few months ago.
For the price they are unbeatable- a 'proper' 200m water resistant dive watch with a movement that is rated to last 10 years without a service. Probably the only thing that I really change about them when I get one is the bracelet- the stock one is a bit cheap and nasty so I usually replace it with a nato/zulu strap.
From my own experience, this is one of the best places to order one from:
http://chistopolcity.com/
Here's a pic of my current one:
(http://i.imgur.com/ZgDd1Zkl.jpg)
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Nice looking watch!
Quick update:
Having to wind it up every morning has become much less hassle than I thought it would be. I actually look forward to it. Its one of those : "I have only been awake for 2 minutes and have already accomplished something" things. :)
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Nice looking watch!
Quick update:
Having to wind it up every morning has become much less hassle than I thought it would be. I actually look forward to it. Its one of those : "I have only been awake for 2 minutes and have already accomplished something" things. :)
I think every object that makes you know it and care for it is great, is like you have a relation with it and you love it twice as much.
How many winds are you giving each day? im about to buy a manual wind again and never had a clue and was always afraid of giving it too much.
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You wind til it won't wind anymore. There will be a sudden stop.
That's us mobile.
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Nice looking watch!
Quick update:
Having to wind it up every morning has become much less hassle than I thought it would be. I actually look forward to it. Its one of those : "I have only been awake for 2 minutes and have already accomplished something" things. :)
This is one of the things I love about mechanical watches. It make you stop and enjoy the watch more and takes your mind away from the world, even if it is just for a minute.
That's us mobile.
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For those of you have/had one for some time, how do you find the crystal as far as scratches go? I know from my old timex the small scuffs are easily shined, but I also have a few deep gouges that'll never come out. And the crystal on Vostok is sticking way out too.
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You wind til it won't wind anymore. There will be a sudden stop.
That's us mobile.
Do you know if thats true for russian movements too or any other movement? i always heard the "if you wind it too much you may damage the spring" and was always extra careful about that. I have a manual wind orient but i use it only from time to time so i never gave more than 10-15 revolutions that give me a full day or more of timekeeping.
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For those of you have/had one for some time, how do you find the crystal as far as scratches go? I know from my old timex the small scuffs are easily shined, but I also have a few deep gouges that'll never come out. And the crystal on Vostok is sticking way out too.
I've owned mine for a few months and haven't managed to get any scratches so far (very much a 'desk-diver'). From what I have read though, while the Vostok crystal scratches more easily than something like Sapphire, it is also easy to buff/polish scratches out.
So probably similar to your old Timex
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You wind til it won't wind anymore. There will be a sudden stop.
That's us mobile.
Do you know if thats true for russian movements too or any other movement? i always heard the "if you wind it too much you may damage the spring" and was always extra careful about that. I have a manual wind orient but i use it only from time to time so i never gave more than 10-15 revolutions that give me a full day or more of timekeeping.
I haven't used a russian movement, but different ones I have used is like this. That stop I was talking about is more like a major resistance. It will feel like a stop. It is pausable to wind it more, this is when you can mess up the spring.
That's us mobile.
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You wind til it won't wind anymore. There will be a sudden stop.
That's us mobile.
Do you know if thats true for russian movements too or any other movement? i always heard the "if you wind it too much you may damage the spring" and was always extra careful about that. I have a manual wind orient but i use it only from time to time so i never gave more than 10-15 revolutions that give me a full day or more of timekeeping.
I haven't used a russian movement, but different ones I have used is like this. That stop I was talking about is more like a major resistance. It will feel like a stop. It is pausable to wind it more, this is when you can mess up the spring.
That's us mobile.
On mine I can feel it suddenly becoming very heavy after about 20-25 rotations. It feels like a stop. A cording to the manual you can damage it when trying to wind it past this point.
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My pocket watch is the same way. About 20 then it hits that point.
That's us mobile.
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This morning the Kommanderskie was actually 15 secs too fast. I havent checked its accuracy in a couple of days and expected it to be about half a minute late. Could it be the temperature? Its a lot milder temperatures now than it was a week ago. :think:
I also went on a short hike today. The rotating bezel made it a lot easier to use the watch as a compass. :tu:
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It could be that it was breaking in. Some times the temp or the humidity might have something to do with it.
That's us mobile.
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This is shaping up to look like a pretty decent watch, although, I can't imagine having to remember winding every day.
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Once you get used to it. You just do it automatically.
That's us mobile.
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This is shaping up to look like a pretty decent watch, although, I can't imagine having to remember winding every day.
I honestly thought I would have forgotten it atleast once by now, but I havent :think:
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Update:
The Vostok is still going strong.
I must admit that Im quite impressed by it, really. I have bought many cheap watches over the years, and most of them have been disapointing. Many have looked and felt a lot cheaper in real life than on the pictures. Almost all that has a pic of what looks like a rotating bezel has had a solid one. All have had cheap easy scratching crystals or some other big flaw, that eventually makes it end up in a drawer sooner, rather than later.
The Vostok kommanderskie on the other hand, looks as good as it did in the pics. Its bezel rotates and its crystal has not scratched yet. The leather strap is comfortable and its not too big but not too small either. Its mechanical but still quite accurate. It simply does not feel cheap. If only it had better lume it would have been perfect.
I really thought that I would get a rattly cheap grossly inacurate watch that would actually be a challenge to EDC. In stead I got a nice watch that Im enjoing to wear and use.
Vostok 1- 0 Grathr.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/08/18/dfe43dc7813e12e9c595630bce27b07c.jpg)
Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk
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Glad you are getting along with it.
That's us mobile.
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Aw man, I can't wait to get mine, but I know it'll be a while though. :(
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Wow I'm very impressed by how fast the post office was!
the links are indeed uttercrap. They would rather die than being removed from the stamped sheetmetal bracelet. I have to disassemble it by bending the metal tabs. I swear I can buy watches from Walmart for $20 and it would have a better quality bracelet.
The lume is also pathetic, last minutes.
More to come later.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/20/ametu7a4.jpg)
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Some first impressions. The quality isn't bad, but more on the "meh" side. Case is decently machined, I'm glad I chose the square case with 22mm lug, round/18mm would've felt too small. Bezel is well designed but seems kinda dinky, very nice grip though. Crown is bad, feels like it's stamped out of old beer cans, the smooth surface and no knurling means very difficult to screw down/unscrew. The crystal/dial has sort of a vintage feel to it. I can't quite say why, maybe it's the fact neither appears to be flat, the painted markers/graphic is 2D (as oppose to the modern raised 3D type), and the tiny round lume dots make it feels like my dad's watch from the 70/80's.
I've already mentioned the bracelet, but on the plus side it's very light being hollow, so doesn't have the weight associated with the solid metal bracelet.
Forget the lume, pretend it doesn't have any, I charged it and I could no longer see it in 5 minutes.
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Too bad the lume is just as bad as on mine. I had a tiny hope that the more pricy amphibian would have better lume.
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Too bad the lume is just as bad as on mine. I had a tiny hope that the more pricy amphibian would have better lume.
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Nope, you don't buy a Vostok for the lume I'm afraid.
That said, they are a very 'moddable' watch- I'm sure if you looked hard enough you could find details of someone applying a better lume
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I remember seeing one but it costs twice the watch did.
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Update:
Its now running a little fast. I have been wearing it on the underside of my wrist for the last few days because of a bug bite. Could that affeect it? The air temperature is also 10-15 degrees celcius lower now than when I got it.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/08/21/cf623a4f6eb007bb3e7962a2a8eb4048.jpg)
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Maybe. I think it was/is breaking in. Kinda like a diesel engine. Once you run them for a while they loosen up.
That's us mobile.
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Running in a different position surely will affect the running speed of a watch. Usually they are tuned to work most eactly with teh crown facing down, as this is teh usual position on your arm.
A good watchmaker will check the wacth in different positions on it´s timescale, trying to find the best compromise while regulating it.
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How's its water resistance? :pok:
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How's its water resistance? :pok:
Its supposed to be water resistant to 30m. I have not tested that as it will make the leather band wet wich will make it hopeless to wear. I will test it in a bucket of water at end of the 30 days.
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Mine stopped, once again I found out I don't walk enough to keep automatics going, especially that as soon as I get home I take it off. :facepalm:
It doesn't have the "stop" to let you know when it's fully wound either.
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Mine stopped, once again I found out I don't walk enough to keep automatics going, especially that as soon as I get home I take it off. :facepalm:
It doesn't have the "stop" to let you know when it's fully wound either.
You don't need to walk. any arm movement will wind it. How long is the reserve rated for?
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Mine stopped, once again I found out I don't walk enough to keep automatics going, especially that as soon as I get home I take it off. :facepalm:
It doesn't have the "stop" to let you know when it's fully wound either.
You don't need to walk. any arm movement will wind it. How long is the reserve rated for?
31 hours? I only wound it once after I received it and not sure if I fully wound it for fear of damage, so I guess a little deficit every day eventually added up.
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The honeymoon is definitly over for the Kommanderskie.
I found some dirt on its back and used a q-tip to remove it. It removed the dirt all right, and the chrome... :facepalm:
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/08/22/e91dcd97cd8206c01365025666903068.jpg)
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/08/22/238a5957e91a4ccef9e9fba20811da61.jpg)
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Heh maybe you do have some corrosive sweat.
If the front start peeling as well I wonder if it's impossible to strip all the chrome and just have a brass watch
Time to get a stainless amphibian. :D
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Heh maybe you do have some corrosive sweat.
If the front start peeling as well I wonder if it's impossible to strip all the chrome and just have a brass watch
Time to get a stainless amphibian. :D
:D
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Well today my parcel arrived from the ukraine allowing me to join the ranks of Vostok/Bostok owners. Paid a whole Euro$18 for my Amphibia (no date) including postage. I haven't got a camera handy so i just pulled a picture from the listing and its the one in the orange box
(http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu131/dellusionindustries/pimpmyvostok_zps241bc574.jpg)
The rest are a shortlist of components i found on ebay to potentially pimp out a Soviet Kustom.
To explain what i have in mind from here i have to go off on a tangent.
I have a stainless 'Havoc Amphibian' divers watch with green watch face which was given to me for my 21st (or maybe 18th i cant remember) by my mother. It was made by Adina, an australian watch company that basically puts swiss quality quartz movements in their own designed case/dials/straps etc. My mother used to on sundays in a jewellery shop and got the watch for the rep for below retail. The havoc amphibian was built as surfers dresswatch.
I had the battery changed twice in its life and it went back a third time to a family friend watchmaker when i dropped it and it stopped working. Everytime the watchmaker family told its repairable but time to retire and for sentimental reasons even though i dislike battery only watches i had it fixed. A year or so back i dropped it from the mantle and smashed the oval crystal, i pulled out the crown so the movement would not be wrecked with the glass fragments. The likehood of finding an oval crystal off the shelf for a limited run watch is probably nil.
Which brings me back to the Vostok Amphibian. The watch case is very similar to the Adina Havoc in overall dimension, the havoc is all flowing curves whilst the vostok is boxier.
My plans is
1)to salvage the watchstrap from my havoc
2) replace the bezel for a completely smooth one or perharps like the ones pictured (i like the compass but not sure it would suit what i'm going for)
3) Green watch face, thinking scuba dude, but i need to work out what i will do about the date slot as i suspect their is no date ring hiding under the dial.
4)find out if the havoc watch hands (or seiko diver ) fit
The other option is just rip it all out and put it in to the complete modern body which is about $30 shown beneath the orange box, an idea which might work for Grathr if he wants to upspec his kommie , there are some more classic round bodies as well etc
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Looking forward to seeing it when finished :tu:
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Got a mesh bracelet for it, I dunno, not sure if I like the look. May go back to stock bracelet, which while looks dinky seems secure enough.
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj630/jzmtl/Gadgets/20140902_zps60d19ae0.jpg~original)
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Got a mesh bracelet for it, I dunno, not sure if I like the look. May go back to stock bracelet, which while looks dinky seems secure enough.
(http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj630/jzmtl/Gadgets/20140902_zps60d19ae0.jpg~original)
I think it looks better with the original bracelet.
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Same here. The other is ok, but I like the original better.
Nate
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Yeah I've gone back to stock. I'm never a fan of mesh, but thought I'd try it once. It's going into the drawer, at least it was cheap. :D
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It would look good on a smaller watch I think.
Nate
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The 30 days have passed, and the Vostok will soon go into the final test. I will put it in a bucket of water for 24 hours. Hopefully it will survive.
Its last days had not been uneventfull. I have been on a 3day stag party for an old friend this weekend, and the Vostok was ofcourse with me. On the last day the loop on the strap broke and disapeared. Luckily I did not loose the watch.
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