Every Watch a Story
I own three Vostok Komandirskie models, a troika, if you will. This is the third, purchased by my in-laws from a peddler on Red Square while they visited Moscow in 1999.
I suspect it was used when they got it but my in-laws didn’t have much info on it as it was bought across a language gap with much pointing and gesturing.
The Cold War dial design implies it’s from earlier than ‘99. Might be from a soldier to whom it was issued by Soviet military? I’ve not seen another brass case but I know the least espensive Vostoks are chrome plated brass even now. The case back features an Orca leaping over a setting Sun, which seems more suited to the Amphibia line than Komandirskie but there are many quality issues across my examples. Its automatic movement has run reliably, far better than expected, perhaps losing 10-15 sec/day.
The brass case and modest 18mm lug width limited band/strap options a bit, but I am thrilled with this NATO strap from UncleStraps.com. I think it sets off the brass better than I could have imagined.
If it were a car it would be a “rat rod.” (Is there a watch equivalent, other than just “beater?”) And I am privileged and grateful to my in-laws to have it.
Engineer, Technical Trainer, lapsed pilot, nerd of many stripes.
I’ve owned one Komandirskie as a kid around 2008, new bought in Russia . It had the same dial image so yours so could very much be from ‘99.
I’ve owned one Komandirskie as a kid around 2008, new bought in Russia . It had the same dial image so yours so could very much be from ‘99.
I also suspect some dial designs may have been Russia-only. Those for export may have toned down the military aspect a bit.
Thanks for the info!
I love and respect Vostok for there affordable and modable watches. I have an amphibia that I moded the bezel and case back for and I love it.
Unplated brass cases are pretty common with Vostok.
You can also get plating off the plated ones very easily with Brasso. They polish up like gold if you can be bothered to do it. 😉
I guess I haven’t seen any brass ones from places that sell them online in the U.S. now. Yours is a beauty.
Thanks for the info!
I felt the same about the case/dial combo (but you clearly have more experience.) Not surprised by the mix and match capability between parts. Didn’t really suspect frankenwatch.
Really appreciate the advice about reseating the crown. Matches my experience in a few instances when I thought it had stopped working.
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge!
Here’s my MOD order, purchased by myself from Voentorg when I got out of the Army back in ‘99.
Cool, good to hear.
To me, it’s just a momento of my previous life, good times and not so good. The watch was worn by me for about 5 years straight after I purchased it. It’s not a great performer……just good enough….much like anything that’s MilSpec😉 MilSpec simply means “shitty”
You never know with Vostok, an enigma shrouded in mystery. This one has “Border” and “Military” on the face, standard sunset Komandirskie back case, I inspected the movement and it’s all 2414A Vostok. But using several iPhone translation photo apps the word “Freakin” is on the face. That’s happened on one other of the 60 plus I own or have owned, I’m not qualified to even comment on that.