The Vostok Amphibia's One HUGE Flaw!

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[JohnClarkW]

I am always impressed at how passionate Vostok fans are. Not many brands inspire that kind of loyalty.

[tjsogmc]

The best thing about the Amphibia vs. Seiko vs. Casio vs. Timex is that all those watches are cheap enough that it's possible to own all of them. It doesn't have to be an either/or situation. Wear the Amphibia if you feel like goofing around, wear the Seiko if you want to "dress it up" a bit, wear the Casio G-shock if you know you will be beating on the watch, wear the Timex if you don't care if the watch survives the day or not.

It's good to have choices and the freedom to pick and choose.

[tjsogmc]

Everything is a compromise. Vostok wanted to make a watch for the military: their specifications were to have a watch that was water proof, shock resistant, easy to maintain, and simple to construct. Accuracy was on the list, but it wasn't the primary goal of the development program. What Vostok came up with was the Amphibia.

Accuracy: really good for a mechanical watch in it's price range. Mine runs about 5 seconds fast in a day
Water resistance: Yes. I surf, I swim, I go camping. The Amphibia never got a drop of water in it. Never.
Durability: Let me know if anybody has ever actually worn out a Vostok. 31 jewel movement. Think about it.


Yes, the fit and finish isn't as good as an Omega Seamaster or Rolex Submariner. But a Seamaster costs, literally, a hundred times what you pay for an Amphibia. The Amphibia is a mechanical watch and as such will never be as accurate as a quartz movement. I have a Venus 200 Swiss that is valued at about $2k and it's not much more accurate than the Vostok. As far as durability, there a numerous videos showing Amphibia's being torture tested, but the same tests are never done on the Rolex or Omegas for accurate comparison. My thought is the Russian watch is much stronger than either of the others. Like an AK-47 has it's ugly flaws, but it always goes bang.

I am not a Vostok fanboy, I'm just pointing out that it's important to keep your expectations realistic on a $60 watch. I own one, I wear it every day, and I will say that it's a well rugged and reliable watch. Good enough for me.

[dark_antihero]

vostok is a good watch but vostok is a better watch

[stevecholo]

I'm not a huge Vostok apologist or fanboy, but they have earned a tremendous amount of respect with me. I have one thats 28 years old, and it still runs at +/- 10 seconds a day without any services. My great uncle gave it to my dad, and then I got it. It's an older Komanderskie automatic with hand wind. Tough as nails for sure. I just wish the lume was better!

[Alekaei]

Vostok Amphibia wouldve been a better watch

[wildbill]

Vostoks have the same flaw that G-Shocks have-those damn things are addicting.

[armandojuan]

I dive, diving is my hobby ; I'm also from the Bay of Cienfuegos, Cuba . Vostok was my diving watch, specifically the automatic 2416 with the round case and the unidirectional bezel . The watch still exists, my younger brother keeps it . I miss it . Dearly .

[SohanMeegahage]

not my watch, not your watch, it is OUR watch

[TheGoodwolfe]

Vostok Amphibias are too cool! Even their imperfections are cool and give them "character" and style points. They may not be the best watch, but you can't get a better value or watch with more features for $65 bucks! You get 200m WR, automatic in-house 31-j mvt, hand winding, easy to mod, parts are cheap & easy to find & they can also be regulated to be very accurate, etc, etc ...

[CaptainZanny]

The Vostok charm is that they are that are based upon designs from ~ 50 years ago (or longer) but are made with recent processes. Basic, super accurate and reasonable. Good for people that do not need their entire lives downloaded in the their smart-whatevers.

[borealranger]

I don't understand how a strong fanbase can be held as a flaw of the watch itself.

[markalexander]

A Russian watch on a NATO strap just seems wrong.

[aleksandarjonjic]

*Vostok Amphibia review video gets uploaded*

Comrades, load your rifles, we march again *CCCP anthem intenssifies*

[mclaughlinja]

I ordered one of these a few days ago - a blue Scuba Dude in the 710 case with navy NATO strap. Can’t wait for it to arrive. I suspect it won’t be my last Vostok given how affordable they are!

[jimrees]

The reason for the huge cult following is because they are great watches at reasonable prices.  I have three Vostoks so far, and all three are perfect.  I would put a Vostok up against any other mechanical watch on the market for any kind of test that can be thought of.

[juliusmadridejos]

I have 2 seikos, invicta prodiver, Gshock, Timex but i just fell in love with this Vostok Amphibia. It has some flaws like rotor is just not smooth enough to rotate, glass gets scratched, bezel is bidirectional and doesn’t click, crown feels flimzy (but it has reasons why) and when I wound it it is quite tough. However, I still love this watch wven though it has some imperfections. I can compare this vostok to my old 2002 Nissan Frontier ... still runs even though it has imperfections, built like a tank and it will go wherever whenever.

[lospolloshermanos]

In soviet Russia you don't break watch, watch break you!

[strobemachine]

Huge flaw: it's very lovable! 
No wonder all the Vostok dudes (or scubadudes) speak about their Amphibians. It's a great watch.
Out of curiosity I bought a vintage one with the 470 case, all original for 40€. And man was I surprised. This thing is so hot! I have a hard time choosing something else than my Speedy. But this actually became my go-to watch... And now that I read more about its construction, I am searching for a second vintage 470 in another configuration and in the same condition. I recommended the Amphibian to all of my friends 😂

[Thorns]

I'm wearing this exact watch right now, only my case is sand blasted stainless instead of polished. The case tapers to 20mm width bracelet. Love the unpretentious cool and attitude of it. I put it on and never took it off, its now my favorite watch. Works flawlessly, keeps the same time as my computer. I love the statement this watch makes about engineering, quality and price. Hard not to love it, and once you catch the bug, you've got it! I now own 6 Russian watches, three of which are Amphibias.