I own a vintage USSR labeled Boctok Amphibia from early 1970's. It keeps time within two seconds a day. Very well made watch. I'd love to get it serviced have no idea who could work on one here in the USA.
In my experience with US-American techs, just forget about "service". As long as it runs, leave it alone. If it ever quits, wait until you can fly to Germany to get it fixed!
Vostok still exist and can be contacted by american dealers who are connected to the big dealerships and military/industrial engineering disciplines. The new vostok watches are very nice, and these are still in production.
I own a Vostok Amphibia 150 exactly like the one you reviewed except it has the white dial. I just received it a few weeks ago. Took about two weeks to get to me after ordering from Meranom. I tested it on my Wieshi timegrapher today. It is running at +3 (top up flat) to -5 (vertical) seconds a day. Amplitude is high, about 325 and the beat error is 0.3 ms.That is absolutely stunning for a watch in this price range. My 2019 Submariner runs at +/- 2 as it should, beat error is 0.5, and amplitude about 170. Wow, love my sub, but the Amphibia is so much fun and is running like a top. What a great value.
Love my Vostok Amphibia, beautiful watch, solidly built, the bracelet that it came with wasn't the best so I put it on a NATO strap. It looks stunning. I know that Vostok has been making watches since, I think the 40s, but I do wish they upgraded to at least mineral crystal or hardlex instead of the domed acrylic, I have had to buff scratches out of it several times. Great in-depth review!
@@tickingWATCH yeah for sure, they really are great well-made watches and they are severely underrated as far as the water resistance, able to withstand depths much greater than what they are rated for, they could absolutely do with some updates though 🙂
Unlike a modern Rolex with a samphire crystal whilst the Vostok will scratch and the Rolex will not the Vostok's crystal won't shatter if dropped on a hard surface :)
@@teamavidhellz the acrylic crystal is actually an integral part of the design of the watch, replacing it with a hard mineral or sapphire crystal would remove its water resistance. the acrylic crystal may be cheaper than a mineral or sapphire crystal, but it is not there just to cut costs, although that is part of the reason. to change the crystal material to sapphire or mineral would require a redesign of the watch.
Nice review of the watches, that I grew with back in time. Some day I want to work on several of those, that I have in my possession. Should be nostalgic 😉
I love my vostoks. My favorite watches by far, i have 2 blue scuba dudes. Im really curious about these wave dials, looks very beautiful in the light. I wonder if i could pull it off with a suit....
Thanks for the review. I've just ordered a green wave dial with a green bezel and a tan leather strap. Some love the rather kitsch illustrated dials but I prefer something a bit more subdued. Part of me likes the idea of an exhibition back but I would be nervous messing with it.
@@tickingWATCH Dzien dobry, if you want to buy a new watch for a budget around 70-100 USD, which one you will choose considering quality and reliability? Vostok amphibians, Vostok komandirskie or Chinese Pagani Design, Parnis. Or some more expensive Steel dive or Heimdallrs. Unfortunately, i can't afford San Martin or Sea-Gull.
@@hirantkasapoglu4471 That's a very complex question. I was having and still have almost all of them and all were working quite good and of course, to all of them I could find some remarks. Vostok for me is one that I must have because of its history but it is not my everyday watch. At the moment mostly I'm wearing Orient Crystal and Parnis. I think all watches with NH35 or Miyota movement also should be ok. Here I have to admit that everyday watches are perfect with quartz movements. Just grab and go.
@@tickingWATCH Thank you very much. Dzienkuje bardzo. I recently bought a Pagani Design Green Ghost Hulk Homage with Miyota 8215. And i am happy with the total build quality and the movement. want to continue with Parnis Portuguese and Luminor Marina Militarie, power reserve. Or maybe Steeldive Tuna Homage. Best Regards and good luck with new videos. Dowiczena.
Nice video. I’m still waiting for mine, I ordered from Russia. Quick question about setting the time. I’m new to mechanical watches, and I’ve read online from different sources that you shouldn’t wind the time backwards because it puts more strain on the movement. I saw you do it, is it actually not that bad, or does it only apply to some movements? Thanks in advance.
Hi and thank you 😀. In most cases it shouldn't be a problem. Can be a problem when you have watch complications (e.g. date) and you wind the watch backwards around time.
@@tickingWATCH Thanks! Should I avoid turning those with date back at any cost, or is it just important around the time the date changes, and turning back a little when its noon wont harm it?
In5an1tyB: It is best not to wind back too much, but with some watches, Vostock is a good example, to quickset the date, you wind between 12 back to 8 and repeat. As long as you're not doing this frequently, your watch will come to no harm. On a slightly different note, take care winding. Don't wind your watch fully first thing in the morning if you've not been wearing it at night. Wind it before you go to bed. The mainspring is warmer having been on your wrist all day and thus more pliable. This is especially important for old watches with original mainsprings.
Spoko kanał. Co byś polecił do pomalowania plastikowego bezela? Wymyśliłem może lakier chybrydowy utwardzany UV lampą? - taki zestaw ma moja żona do paznokci wystarczy kupić kolor lakieru.
Jeszcze nie próbowałem ale pomysł wydaje się być dobry. Wiem że są specjalne emalie, które później utwardza się pod lampami UV, dzięki temu lakier jest trwały. Wychodzi na to że jest to podobna (a może nawet ta sama) metoda, które nasze Panie używają do paznokci. Będzie trzeba przetestować 😀
Kupiłem nową amfibie . Codziennie tez go nie nosiłem , a po ponad roku przestał rotor nakręcać go . Nakręcał tylko częściowo w jedną stronę . Widać było że w mechanizmie automatu takie są dwa kółka co przytrzymuje każde z nich blaszka złota. Na tych kołach coś nie gra, wykrzywiają sie , jakby nie zazębiają gdy sie rotor nakręca. Rozebrałem automat naoliwiłem czopy a i te kółka i złożylem ...pomogło na chwile. Raz tez mi spadł na dywan ale nie wiem czy to wpłynęło na awarię. . Teraz mam bez automatu zdjąłem go. reszta chodzi OK.
Słyszałem o tym problemie, czasami wystarczy dogiąć blaszkę, która przytrzymuje kółka, ale i często te dwa koła, które są pod nią trzeba wymienić. Psuje się ich wewnętrzna blokada. Mam teraz z jednym podobny problem sprawdzę czy da się jakoś zaingerować w te koła.
Cezsc, i will visit Warsaw in 10 days. Where can I find interesting cheap Polish mechanical watch or Russian Vostok Amphibians? Na Aleje Jerozolumskie albo na ulisca Jana Paula 2, maybe? Or maybe in Stare Miastra? I will stay close to Pulawska.
Hi, its nice to have you in Warsaw, today rather everything moved to Internet but there are samo watch sops in Panorama Shopping Centre Aleja Wincentego Witosa
@@tickingWATCH Hi, my plan changed and I will stay two days at ul Wilcza, close to city center, next week I will have some spare time in the city. Do you own a watch repair shop in Warsaw where I can visit and buy second hand mechanical watches, that you already reviewed here? I will also visit Terrace Shopping Center and Panorama Shopping Center for that matter.
@@tickingWATCH Very nice city Wroclaw. I have visited once, many years ago, Gliwicze Opel factory and also visited Tych Fiat factory (former factory of Polski Fiat and Polonez) I am working in automotive business. Katowicze is also nice city. I also liked Zakopane city, Polska.
I own two Vostok Amphibia. Both are great watch but sadly not anti-magnetic. I received both of them magnetized (and crazy inaccurate because of it). It's pretty annoying when you are not aware of that. I now keep a demagnetizer and a compass at hand when I order watch related stuff.
Amphibia watches are decent watches. The movement quality not worster than the Seiko 7S26, the rate easily adjustable (with timegrapher) below 10s/d. The wobbly crown and the plastic crystal are design features, the bracelet are crapy, but usable and you can change it. The matte case finish are much better (for my eyes) than the shiny.
@@zsoltprokai7310 I disent Zsolt - the quality and engineering contained in a 7s26 is in another galaxy than Vostok movements, sorry. I can tell this from the knowledge of having worked in multiple seikos and vostoks - my original comment was pointing towards that
@Harry Balls Harry, you can buy as many vostoks as you feel you need to have. I can assure you and me will not fight against each other for grabbing any of them... you can have them all ;)
To enjoy the brand you must appreciate the fact that Russia built these out of necessity because of the whole NATO and Warsaw Pact deal and the Cold War with many countries having sanctions on them so they built their own products for themselves from shoes to cars these are the AK47 of wrist watches they aren’t pretty and are quite quirky and don’t have anything that western manufacturers have and people try to compare them to western luxury brands and they are a whole different animal similar to early HMT watches from India and Seagull from China before globalization and the internet providing us access to items that we never weee able to get frankly because we never even knew about them
You're welcome to your opinion just as I'm free to disagree! Cheap, yes. Crap? In my personal experience, definitely not! Mine has kept excellent time for the last 4yrs and I'm not the first owner! I also wear it every day, plus, it'll still be going when many much newer quartz watches have faded out!
I own a vintage USSR labeled Boctok Amphibia from early 1970's. It keeps time within two seconds a day. Very well made watch. I'd love to get it serviced have no idea who could work on one here in the USA.
Thanks and gratulation so good timepiece. Vostok are having quite simple movements so I think any watchmaker can make a reliable service.
In my experience with US-American techs, just forget about "service". As long as it runs, leave it alone. If it ever quits, wait until you can fly to Germany to get it fixed!
Vostok still exist and can be contacted by american dealers who are connected to the big dealerships and military/industrial engineering disciplines. The new vostok watches are very nice, and these are still in production.
@@weareallbeingwatched4602 I'm sure that's true. Today most people avoid any Russian product due to Putins brutal war against Ukraine.
I own a Vostok Amphibia 150 exactly like the one you reviewed except it has the white dial. I just received it a few weeks ago. Took about two weeks to get to me after ordering from Meranom. I tested it on my Wieshi timegrapher today. It is running at +3 (top up flat) to -5 (vertical) seconds a day. Amplitude is high, about 325 and the beat error is 0.3 ms.That is absolutely stunning for a watch in this price range. My 2019 Submariner runs at +/- 2 as it should, beat error is 0.5, and amplitude about 170. Wow, love my sub, but the Amphibia is so much fun and is running like a top. What a great value.
Thanks for sharing , I really appreciate it 😀
your accent is amazing. keep up the quality content!!!
I'm really glad that you like it
Love my Vostok Amphibia, beautiful watch, solidly built, the bracelet that it came with wasn't the best so I put it on a NATO strap. It looks stunning. I know that Vostok has been making watches since, I think the 40s, but I do wish they upgraded to at least mineral crystal or hardlex instead of the domed acrylic, I have had to buff scratches out of it several times. Great in-depth review!
Thanks for your comment, I would also add a quick date set fiture, nice to have you here 👍
@@tickingWATCH yeah for sure, they really are great well-made watches and they are severely underrated as far as the water resistance, able to withstand depths much greater than what they are rated for, they could absolutely do with some updates though 🙂
Unlike a modern Rolex with a samphire crystal whilst the Vostok will scratch and the Rolex will not the Vostok's crystal won't shatter if dropped on a hard surface :)
@@teamavidhellz the acrylic crystal is actually an integral part of the design of the watch, replacing it with a hard mineral or sapphire crystal would remove its water resistance. the acrylic crystal may be cheaper than a mineral or sapphire crystal, but it is not there just to cut costs, although that is part of the reason.
to change the crystal material to sapphire or mineral would require a redesign of the watch.
Nice review of the watches, that I grew with back in time. Some day I want to work on several of those, that I have in my possession. Should be nostalgic 😉
Thanks for this, and good luck, I also would like to see one from you. 👍
I love my vostoks. My favorite watches by far, i have 2 blue scuba dudes. Im really curious about these wave dials, looks very beautiful in the light. I wonder if i could pull it off with a suit....
I like my too. I also have two, is shown in another video ...
Thanks for the review. I've just ordered a green wave dial with a green bezel and a tan leather strap. Some love the rather kitsch illustrated dials but I prefer something a bit more subdued. Part of me likes the idea of an exhibition back but I would be nervous messing with it.
I'm really glad that you like it, thanks and good day
@@tickingWATCH Thanks for the reply. Ideally I would love a Raketa Avant Garde but I can't comfortably afford it. Perhaps one day.
The exhibition caseback doesn’t affect the WR
When it is well done I'm pretty sure it does not. Most important then is what WR is written on it 👍
Fun brand with a significant history!
Yes, is indeed 😀
Bardzo finy video Amphibia watch Vostok. Dzienkuje bardzo colega.
You're welcome HIRANT KASAPOGLU
@@tickingWATCH Dzien dobry, if you want to buy a new watch for a budget around 70-100 USD, which one you will choose considering quality and reliability? Vostok amphibians, Vostok komandirskie or Chinese Pagani Design, Parnis. Or some more expensive Steel dive or Heimdallrs. Unfortunately, i can't afford San Martin or Sea-Gull.
@@hirantkasapoglu4471 That's a very complex question. I was having and still have almost all of them and all were working quite good and of course, to all of them I could find some remarks. Vostok for me is one that I must have because of its history but it is not my everyday watch. At the moment mostly I'm wearing Orient Crystal and Parnis. I think all watches with NH35 or Miyota movement also should be ok.
Here I have to admit that everyday watches are perfect with quartz movements. Just grab and go.
@@tickingWATCH Thank you very much. Dzienkuje bardzo. I recently bought a Pagani Design Green Ghost Hulk Homage with Miyota 8215. And i am happy with the total build quality and the movement. want to continue with Parnis Portuguese and Luminor Marina Militarie, power reserve. Or maybe Steeldive Tuna Homage. Best Regards and good luck with new videos. Dowiczena.
Nice video. I’m still waiting for mine, I ordered from Russia. Quick question about setting the time. I’m new to mechanical watches, and I’ve read online from different sources that you shouldn’t wind the time backwards because it puts more strain on the movement. I saw you do it, is it actually not that bad, or does it only apply to some movements? Thanks in advance.
Hi and thank you 😀. In most cases it shouldn't be a problem. Can be a problem when you have watch complications (e.g. date) and you wind the watch backwards around time.
@@tickingWATCH Thanks! Should I avoid turning those with date back at any cost, or is it just important around the time the date changes, and turning back a little when its noon wont harm it?
@@In5an1tyB Generally avoid but if you need a little but not around the time the date changes then you can
In5an1tyB: It is best not to wind back too much, but with some watches, Vostock is a good example, to quickset the date, you wind between 12 back to 8 and repeat. As long as you're not doing this frequently, your watch will come to no harm.
On a slightly different note, take care winding. Don't wind your watch fully first thing in the morning if you've not been wearing it at night. Wind it before you go to bed. The mainspring is warmer having been on your wrist all day and thus more pliable. This is especially important for old watches with original mainsprings.
Nice review.
Just want to ask what about the accuracy?...
About 10-15 second/day but after regulation, here some pictures www.tickingwatch.pl/wostok-amfibia/
I want to buy the watch at 5:00 how can I buy? What is the model number? Do you sell on eBay watches that you restore?
Hi look on eBay. I'm a hobbyist, of course from time to time I sell some pieces just to reorganize my collection.
I think the exhibition case back reduces the 200m water resistance greatly.
It is so indeed, but I saw also an exhibition case back with 200m but it was having a different shape
Spoko kanał. Co byś polecił do pomalowania plastikowego bezela? Wymyśliłem może lakier chybrydowy utwardzany UV lampą? - taki zestaw ma moja żona do paznokci wystarczy kupić kolor lakieru.
Jeszcze nie próbowałem ale pomysł wydaje się być dobry. Wiem że są specjalne emalie, które później utwardza się pod lampami UV, dzięki temu lakier jest trwały. Wychodzi na to że jest to podobna (a może nawet ta sama) metoda, które nasze Panie używają do paznokci. Będzie trzeba przetestować 😀
hello to France! I ve got the 710640 and he is a top watch! 15 second+ / days, is it a T34 tank! Thank's for your revue!
You're welcome Jean Martox 👍
Love my Vostoks
I also love my 😀
They are beautiful
I like it too ...
Sweet watches, I love them
I'm really glad that you like it
Świetny film ;-) mam pytanie, gdzie kupiłeś przeszklony dekiel do swojej amfibii? Wyglada zacnie. Pozdrawiam.
Dzięki, ten akurat na allegro, ale w między czasie widziałem takie też na eBay, generalnie nie ma tego aż tak dużo
Cześć gdzie można dostać taki przezroczysty dekiel, jedyne co znalazłem to ebay za $33
Były niedawno na allegro za niecałe 100zł
Kupiłem nową amfibie . Codziennie tez go nie nosiłem , a po ponad roku przestał rotor nakręcać go . Nakręcał tylko częściowo w jedną stronę . Widać było że w mechanizmie automatu takie są dwa kółka co przytrzymuje każde z nich blaszka złota. Na tych kołach coś nie gra, wykrzywiają sie , jakby nie zazębiają gdy sie rotor nakręca. Rozebrałem automat naoliwiłem czopy a i te kółka i złożylem ...pomogło na chwile. Raz tez mi spadł na dywan ale nie wiem czy to wpłynęło na awarię. . Teraz mam bez automatu zdjąłem go. reszta chodzi OK.
Słyszałem o tym problemie, czasami wystarczy dogiąć blaszkę, która przytrzymuje kółka, ale i często te dwa koła, które są pod nią trzeba wymienić. Psuje się ich wewnętrzna blokada. Mam teraz z jednym podobny problem sprawdzę czy da się jakoś zaingerować w te koła.
Cezsc, i will visit Warsaw in 10 days. Where can I find interesting cheap Polish mechanical watch or Russian Vostok Amphibians? Na Aleje Jerozolumskie albo na ulisca Jana Paula 2, maybe? Or maybe in Stare Miastra? I will stay close to Pulawska.
Hi, its nice to have you in Warsaw, today rather everything moved to Internet but there are samo watch sops in Panorama Shopping Centre Aleja Wincentego Witosa
@@tickingWATCH Tak, yak kocham Warszawa i Platinum club na Nowy Swiat
@@tickingWATCH Hi, my plan changed and I will stay two days at ul Wilcza, close to city center, next week I will have some spare time in the city. Do you own a watch repair shop in Warsaw where I can visit and buy second hand mechanical watches, that you already reviewed here? I will also visit Terrace Shopping Center and Panorama Shopping Center for that matter.
@@hirantkasapoglu4471 I'm from Silesia and this weekend staying in Wroclaw, also worth seeing 😉
@@tickingWATCH Very nice city Wroclaw. I have visited once, many years ago, Gliwicze Opel factory and also visited Tych Fiat factory (former factory of Polski Fiat and Polonez) I am working in automotive business. Katowicze is also nice city. I also liked Zakopane city, Polska.
Mine has serious rust problems at the crown.
Salt water? Anyway service needed 😀
@@tickingWATCH Sweat. A few weeks on the wrist.
What is the length of the dial?
28mm if you mean the diameter
@@tickingWATCH спасибо
No problem
Link of the caseback ? Thanks
Check eBay ebay.us/wdtVO7 regards
@@tickingWATCH i asked because the majority of casebacks in ebay and other sites are too thick, and yours look ok
I cant find yours that is 100m, all i can see on ebay are 200m
@@1906sporting check also webshop Meranom, they might have
How do you know you have an original and not a copy?
There were papers added to this watch so I think it is original. Besides the movement is rathe unique.
Love them i own about 35 (:
That's quit a lot, I have only 4 😀
Na allegro jest sklep co od 20 lat sprzedaje wszystkie zegarki od bostoka
Miejsc sporo do kupienia jeśli ktoś zamarzy o Wostoku 😀
Mógłbyś wrócić do polskiego? Bardzo brakuje filmów typowo o naprawie zegarków w polskim języku
Ciężko będzie, ponieważ dzięki angielskiemu można dotrzeć do większej liczby odbiorców. Póki co większość filmów ma polskie napisy i w tym też będą.
@@tickingWATCH *póki
@@pgwasilewski 🙂dzx
A TEN FILMIK BĘDZIE MIAŁ POLSKIE NAPISY?
Właśnie zrobione 😀
I own two Vostok Amphibia. Both are great watch but sadly not anti-magnetic. I received both of them magnetized (and crazy inaccurate because of it). It's pretty annoying when you are not aware of that. I now keep a demagnetizer and a compass at hand when I order watch related stuff.
Yes Amphibias can be slightly magnetized so good idea that you bought a demagnetizer 👍
I have two, and both were magnetic on arrival, assuming they were magnetized by airport scanners. That's why I have a cheap demagnetizer from Ebay.
We have seamaster at home
that's great😀
When I feel tempted to buy a Vostok I watch one of these videos showing their quality movements and specs... and they disappear without buying any
It is a specific watch not like Seiko and other similar timepieces 😀
Amphibia watches are decent watches. The movement quality not worster than the Seiko 7S26, the rate easily adjustable (with timegrapher) below 10s/d. The wobbly crown and the plastic crystal are design features, the bracelet are crapy, but usable and you can change it. The matte case finish are much better (for my eyes) than the shiny.
@@zsoltprokai7310 I disent Zsolt - the quality and engineering contained in a 7s26 is in another galaxy than Vostok movements, sorry.
I can tell this from the knowledge of having worked in multiple seikos and vostoks - my original comment was pointing towards that
@Harry Balls Harry, you can buy as many vostoks as you feel you need to have. I can assure you and me will not fight against each other for grabbing any of them... you can have them all ;)
@@educarmar Agree. Just put them on a timegrapher and shift angles. The 7s26 will run much more consistent. Vostoks run with a crude 1960s movement.
To enjoy the brand you must appreciate the fact that Russia built these out of necessity because of the whole NATO and Warsaw Pact deal and the Cold War with many countries having sanctions on them so they built their own products for themselves from shoes to cars these are the AK47 of wrist watches they aren’t pretty and are quite quirky and don’t have anything that western manufacturers have and people try to compare them to western luxury brands and they are a whole different animal similar to early HMT watches from India and Seagull from China before globalization and the internet providing us access to items that we never weee able to get frankly because we never even knew about them
Thanks for your opinion @b.p.stimemachines2327
Bring on the divers
😀
Google translate using it's camera will translate ALL of the paperwork.
Nice feature 😀
You gotta improve your pronunciation.
I'm really glad to hear that 😀
cheap crap, but not a watch
Yes but they have their charm and the price is not to high
You're welcome to your opinion just as I'm free to disagree! Cheap, yes. Crap? In my personal experience, definitely not! Mine has kept excellent time for the last 4yrs and I'm not the first owner! I also wear it every day, plus, it'll still be going when many much newer quartz watches have faded out!