If you are here it can only mean one of two things! Either you stumbled upon Vostok on Reddit, Twitter, or some other forum and now you want to know more. Or, you have already done your research and looking to buy one.
Before talking about some of the best Vostok watches that you can buy let’s talk about the history of the brand first. Vostok is a Russian brand that was founded in 1942. Initially, the company wasn’t into the watchmaking business and was instead making defense equipment.
After contributing to war efforts it switched to making mechanical watches. And, went on to become the official supplier of watches for the Soviet Union defense personnel. Vostok watches were very popular among military personnel and the general public.
Are Vostok Watches Good Quality?
Big yes, in fact so much so that many people compare Vostok Watches to Seiko watches. And, the reason for that is Vostok watches were made for military personnel. So despite being mechanical watches, they are extremely good at timekeeping and have good build quality.
Moreover, the movement inside the Vostok watches is completely made by themselves. This isn’t any secret that the Soviet Union didn’t like to pay royalties for using patents of western countries.
Consequently, it isn’t far-fetched to say that if you want the best diving or analog rugged mechanical watches at an affordable price then you can go with Vostok Amphibia or Komandirskie. So without any further delay let’s begin with my list of the best Vostok watches.
Quick Navigation
- Vostok Watches Comparison Table
- Best Vostok Watches To Buy
- Some Things You Must Know Before Buying Vostok Amphibia & Komandirskie Watches
- Does Vostok Movement Watches Increase In Value Overtime?
- FAQs
Vostok Watches Comparison Table
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Vostok Watch  | Vostok Komandirskie K-35 |
| |
Best Vostok Komandirskie Movement Watch  | Vostok Komandirskie Submarine |
| |
Best Divers Vostok Amphibia Watch  | Vostok Amphibian Automatic WR |
|
Best Vostok Watches To Buy
1. Vostok Komandirskie
When it comes to guns almost everyone knows about the AK-47, one of the most deadly guns made in the Soviet Union era. And, the first watch on my list is the Vostok Komandirskie also nicknamed the AK-47 of watches. The reason for that is the watch’s robust build quality.
What I like about this watch is that despite being an automatic mechanical watch Vostok Komandirskie features a shock-resistant design. If you aren’t aware then an automatic watch is a type of watch that doesn’t run on any battery. This watch features a built-in pendulum-like mechanism that winds the gears inside the watch to power it. And, that was a very simple explanation so do consider reading our automatic vs mechanical watch comparison to know more.
Moreover, the watch comes with 32 ruby movement inside the watch that decreases wear and tear of watch movement while increasing the accuracy of the watch. Because of that, I didn’t have to worry about the watch losing time while wearing it.
Talking about the build of this Vostok watch, it features a 42mm case and a 20mm stainless steel strap. I didn’t find this size to be particularly large or small, it fits perfectly on my wrist.
Along with that, there is a date window located at the 6 o’clock position of the watch. I also liked the fact that I can read military time as this watch features a 24-hour time dial. It can take some to get used to but once you do there is no going back.
Besides this bracelet variant, if you’re a fan of NATO watches then you can choose the NATO strap variant. However, for bracelet watch fans this is the best Vostok watch for the job.
2. Vostok Komandirskie Mechanical
Some people like me enjoy mechanical watches more than automatic watches. It’s because, unlike automatic watches, I have to manually wind the mechanical watch using the crown. And, many watch enthusiasts prefer winding up their watches first thing in the morning. So, if you are looking for the best Vostok mechanical movement watch then you are in luck!
During my usage, this fully mechanical Vostok Komandirskie watch ran for 31 hours without requiring another winding from me. Also, this watch features 17 jewel movements which ensured reliable timekeeping when I wore the watch.
Besides that, the watch features a shock-resistant design and water resistance of up to 30m making it a reliable day-to-day watch. It also features luminous watch hands and markings which allowed me to read time at night.
Moreover, the dial of the watch also features a date window at a 3 o’clock position. I used the black leather strap variant of the watch but you can get it in 22 other design combinations if you don’t like the leather straps. So if you are looking for the best Vostok mechanical watch on a budget then this will be the perfect watch for you.
3. Vostok Komandirskie Submarine
There are only a few companies that offer good quality watches at reasonable prices and Vostok Komandirskie Submarine is a good example of that. This watch features a 40mm brass case along with chrome coating which gives the watch its premium look.
Moreover, the 18mm NATO strap with 5 rings ensured that I got a perfectly comfortable grip all day long. Also, since it’s a mechanical watch I didn’t have to worry about battery replacement. And, a full wind watch lasted me 36 hours without requiring me to wind the watch again.
Along with that, it is also water-resistant up to 20m & when I was wearing the watch in rain it survived without getting damaged. However, I am not confident enough to do recreational swimming or submerge the watch given its water-resistant rating.
In a typical Vostok fashion, you get over 40 Vostok watches design and color options to choose from. For a reasonable price, you get a good-looking Vostok Komandirskie watch that also has good build quality.
4. Vostok Amphibia Automatic WR
If you are looking for the ideal Vostok dive watch then allow me to interest you in Vostok Amphibian. This mechanical watch will meet all the expectations of divers and professional swimmers alike. Vostok Amphibian is water-resistant up to 200m so you can wear it underwater without worrying about water damage.
Among watch enthusiasts like me, the Vostok Amphibia watch is famous for its design & waterproofing capabilities. The Soviet Union had a philosophy of not using western patents to avoid paying royalties to western companies. And, all the western companies used to make watches that can withstand a certain amount of pressure.
On the other hand, Vostok Amphibian comes with a unique case design. Simply put, the deeper you would go underwater more pressure it would put on your watch. As pressure on the watch will increase it will also tighten the watch’s seal, and that’s how Vostok watches work.
Similarly, the mechanical movement of this watch is different from the movement that you find on western mechanical watches. That’s why you will find that Vostok Amphibia watches crowns feel loose while winding. So if you end up buying a watch from Vostok, I assure you that the loose crown is by design to decrease the wear and tear of the watch.
Besides that, I also had the option to get the watch in a NATO or mesh strap as well. Additionally, I used 3rd party strap with this watch as it supports interchangeable straps. On a final note, I would say that its unique design, high-quality material, and unmatched performance make it one of the best Vostok Amphibian watches for the price.
5. Vostok Komandirskie K-35
Next watch on my list is Vostak Komandirskie K-35. However, what sets it apart from the other $100 price Vostok watches is the fact that it comes with the best Vostok automatic movement.
However, what sets it apart from the rest is a few nitty-gritty details. One such detail is that watch has a dedicated dial for the second hand and that too is a sweeping second hand no less. Also, there is a rotating bezel on the dial that I used to time my activities.
Moreover, this is also a luminous watch as both dot marking and watch hands glow in the dark. Like the previous watch, I also wore this watch on the beach as it is water-resistant up to 200m as well.
Talking about the build, this Vostok watch features a 41mm watch case and a 20mm nylon Zulu strap which I found comfortable to wear. Unlike previous watches on my list that were available in several colors, this one is available in only four-color combinations. But if want you can install any 3rd party strap of your choice as it supports an interchangeable strap.
6. Vostok Komandirskie K-65
Do you know that Komandirskie means commander in Russian? And, just like a commander on the battlefield, this watch K-65 here will demand everyone’s attention. The glossy red gorgeous color of the watch ensured that I look good no matter what I wore with it.
Similar to all the Vostok watches, it features a dome-shaped acrylic glass protecting the dial. While it is not as strong as minerals and sapphire glass but is reasonably durable for casual users. It features a red rotating bezel and gloss-finished red dial to go with it.
Besides that, you can also keep track of dates along with time as it features a date window at the 3 o’clock position. Also, this Vostok watch is water-resistant up to 200m so you can go swimming, diving, or showering wearing the watch.
Unlike modern watches that have plastic watch hands, this one uses watch hands made out of metal. Also, the luminous coating on them ensures you can read the watch even in low light. Overall, if looks are your priority then we would say this is one of the best Vostok watches for the job.
Some Things You Must Know Before Buying Vostok Amphibia & Komandirskie Watches
When looking for a watch from a vintage brand like Vostok there is some information that you must know about before making a purchase. We have divided that information into 5 bite-size pieces of information which would help you in selecting the best Vostok Watch for yourself.
1. Learning Curve
Vostok watches are quite different from western watches therefore you would have to go through a learning curve. Watches from them feature a very unique winding mechanism, movement, and date-setting process. That’s why some users often get frustrated with the watch. So we would recommend looking up YouTube videos, reaching out to support, or reading Reddit threads before giving up on the watch.
2. Wobbly Crown
While receiving the watch you would notice that Vostok watches have a wobbly crown. Don’t worry it doesn’t mean it’s broken, in fact, it’s a unique characteristic of Vostok Watches due to its non-traditional design. So while it might feel like it would break anytime soon but we assure you it’s plenty durable. And, Vostok watches would last longer than other mechanical watches in this price range.
3. Why Is It Shipping Late/Custom Duty
Some sellers directly ship their watches out of Russia so that’s why it can take weeks or months depending on your location. However, we assure you that it will be worth the wait.
Besides that, some countries have high custom duty for importing watches so do check custom duty charges for your location.
4. After-Sales Support
While you do get a manufacturer warranty with the watch but you will have to send your watch to Russia. And, you will have to bear the shipping charges. However, Vostok also claims that 99% of user problems are solved simply by emailing their support teams and Amazon reviews reflect that.
Does Vostok Watches Increase In Value Overtime?
Vostok watches are good examples of old is gold as it blows similarly priced modern mechanical watches out of the water. However, they are not limited edition Swiss watches that are only made in certain quantities and will gain value over time.
It is definitely a good choice if you are a watch enthusiast who likes to open watches and customize them according to their need. You might not believe us when we say this but it’s true that Vostok owners are part of one of the biggest watch modding communities. There are dedicated websites like VostokModShop, and YouTube channels just showing you how to tinker with the watch.
FAQs
What Is The Best Place To Buy Vostok Watches?
You can buy Vostok watches from Amazon as it allows you to track your shipment, contact customer support, and read reviews to know whether or not the seller is legit.
Is Vostok A Good Watch Brand?
Yes, Vostok is a well-known Russian brand. The company has its own unique watch movement which is quite different from the watches that are found in the west.
Are Vostok Komandirskie Any Good?
Yes, Vostok Komandirskie is called AK-47 of the watches for the very same reason. It has a rugged built quality and shock-resistant design which ensures that the watch does not get damaged easily.
How Long Does Vostok Amphibia Last?
A fully winded Vostok Amphibia would last for 31 hours without requiring any further wind. Also, the watch can withstand water pressure of 20atm or go in-depth up to 200m without getting damaged.
