Vostok Komandirskie (2416b) - Watchmaker Review

A full and in depth review of The Vostok Komandirskie by UK Watchmaker Richard Perrett. In this video I take the watch straight out of the mail and do a pretty thorough examination of this offering by Vostok.

The watch reviewed is the reference 650841 with is powered by the Vostok 2416b movement

You can get the Komandirskie from here .....

[ichris]

The friction bezel is to specification. Back when these were made every dive watch had a bidirectional rotating bezel. I believe the idea of a unidirectional clicking bezel was introduced by Doxa in the late 60s. All of the watches from that era that are still made have since changed to clicking bezels, but it seems vostok is keen on keeping things as they were, and I love them for it.

[gasparjohnson]

The bezel is designed to be bi-directional because it doesn't depend on a ratchet to keep it in place, it depends on water pressure from 10 feet underwater to accomplish that, which it does, just like the water pressure increases the waterproofing of the case by the compressor case and acrylic dial compressing to make a better seal.

[DavidUKesb]

I have many Vostoks, both modern Russian ones and vintage Soviet ones. Apart from being fascinating timepieces with an interesting history, there is no doubt they are astonishing value for money, and just goes to prove you don't need to pay a small fortune for a good watch.

[temafomenko]

I hadn't been into watches recently, but since I've started to dig into the topic, being Russian, I've became so amused by the amount of pleasant words which people address to Vostok watches and this review is one of the most delightful and thorough I saw. Thank you for a perfect job and I wish your channel more subscribers and views. Enjoy your watches! Best regards.

[mariomartinelli]

A great honest review, thank you. As an owner/collector of well over 100 Vostok watches I appreciate your tip of the hat towards Vostok's achievements. Cheers

[anhatur]

Thank you for the review! I bought the 24 hour dial version of this, and for that the click-less bezel actually has good use: You can use it as a solar compass. If you set the bezel according to your time zone, latitude and perhaps even the equation of time, and orient your short dial towards the sun, you have your orientation.
I always like to have backups on these things, and as long as the sun can be found it’s easily accessible as well.

[VolkerHett]

This was exactly what I needed to know for my first automatic watch at the age of 61 😀

[michaelzuccardo]

Great review, Richard! Note that with most Vostok watches, you can advance the date by rotating clockwise past 12:00, than back, counter clockwise to 8:00 then clockwise past 12:00 again. This should advance the date by one day each time. It's better/ faster than going clockwise around the dial twice.

[The_Maine_Card_Guy]

This is one of the best watch related YouTube videos I've ever seen. I've certainly subscribed and am looking forward to more like this one. Having a review beyond the superficial is fantastic.

[markprice]

I have always been interested in Vostok and other Russian watches, since my wife took me to the Poljot factory in Moscow and bought me a dress-watch (Russian Style) when we got married . Vostok were knocking out the same watch but with a parachute, or a tank or an aircraft painted on the dial claiming these were worn by said category. Gum, and other tourist shops charged at least double (USD, EURO, but not Ruble). I love this particular watch and your video is splendid. I am still saving up for the Sturmanski mechanical chrno they still produce seeing it was worn by Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. Moscow was a world away back then in the late 90's with Yeltsin reaching rock bottom with his drinking. It was the start of my love affair with all things Russian. Thank you for this fabulous video Richard.

[SilverSergeant]

Nice just ordered one of these are now one of my most trusted watch sources on Youtube!!!

[ulfhartwig]

Thank you so much for this in depth video ! It is good to hear from a watchmaker that these Vostoks are NOT crap. I bought myself a vostok 2416b (not yours) some days ago and i must say i am impressed with this quality for little money. Many (not all) western brands are totally overpriced. No problem to buy another watch which is not from russia, but costs 200-300 euros more - and you have nothing better in terms of quality on you wrist. Just my 2 Cents.

[michaelandrew]

I dug 2 of my Vostoks out of the draw to watch this with me - both timepieces enjoyed the vid as much as I did.

[Mauricio.Solorzano]

I have 4 Vostok's between Komandirksie and Amphia's, I love that you can calibrate the movement and make timing near perfect like a swiss watch! Thank you for sharing!

[StevenCollins]

Absolutely wonderful video. No need to apologize for "using up way too much time" as it was thoroughly enjoyable and educational. I just subscribed and used your link to purchase. Thank you!

[petercollingwood]

My wife bought me this watch for xmas based on this video review. She got it from Chistopolcity online. I currently have it on a Russian flag nato strap. (White Blue and Red). In the short time I've had it since then I've had no less than five people ask me about it and tell me how much they like it and one asked where to buy it. I pointed her to the two main outlets. I've never in my life had such a reaction to a watch. It's rapidly becoming my favorite.

[firefightergoggie]

I have three of this model. (Red, yellow and green). All with colour coordinated NATO strap. Nice and accurate and well made. Very reliable.
People compliment them all the time. They've never seen anything quite like them before and they make a nice impression.

[AgrippaBC]

NATO strap on Soviet watch? World peace!

[Kysushanz]

I visited the factory in Chestopol back in 2000 and bought a load of VOSTOK watches to sell back in NZ. These watches are cheap but exceptional value. Problem now is everybody uses their smart phone as a watch!

[asianhobbitshaving]

Wonderful analysis of this classic watch, Kind Sir. I heard from people that dive with the Komanderskie(200m-self-winding), and the Amphibia, and the bezel becomes "activated" when submerged in water. Basically the water pressure causes the bezel to lock and become immobile. Quirky, yet cleverly designed, much like its two piece case back. I love mine.