Space Forces Komandirskie
This recent purchase from Ukraine is my first space themed watch. It aint no Bulova Lunar Pilot, that's for sure.
I saw it in an auction and half-heartedly put in a low bid and did not really expect to win, but I did. I suppose some people were put off by some fading of the red print on the dial which is quite common on older dials that have been out in the sun.
The only truly spacey thing about it is the Space Forces logo. The case design seems to be quite old, I don't see many of this design around. The dial still exists in Vostok's online catalogue as the 958, for example on the 431958 .
The case is quite slim compared to some later Komandirskie case designs. I have not yet figured out what the reference number of this case design is.
I was also curious about its case back of the "small bird" variety. This "small bird" back is a little different to the ones that I usually see:
Mine has no text or pad for a serial number like the following more common example:
and the bird is on the other side. Whether the bird is flying toward or away from a rising or setting sun (or maybe a nuclear weapons test) is up the viewer to decide.
The movement is the ubiquitous Vostok 2414A with semi-quickset date, manual wind and screw-down wobbly crown.
It's an interesting vintage watch that cost less than a packet of cigarettes. It actually runs decently as well which lends some credence to the seller's claim of the watch having been serviced.
So many watches, so little time.
What a cool watch. I have a newer Vostok and i love wearing it. To be honest i didn't even notice the red fading star until i clicked to see what the newer one looked like. You got yourself a really cool watch there.
What a cool watch. I have a newer Vostok and i love wearing it. To be honest i didn't even notice the red fading star until i clicked to see what the newer one looked like. You got yourself a really cool watch there.
Thanks. I think I prefer it with the faded red star, it is a bit symbolic in a way. On my other 819121 Komandirskie with a metallic finish on the dial, I removed its red star with some isopropyl alcohol. There is only a slight trace of it now above the Komandirskie script:
Just when I thought I was done with buying watches this year, the Space Forces came along and sucked me back in. At least it didn't cost much to get something a bit unusual. This now my 6th watch from Ukraine.