Biggest Watch Disappointment Ever!

I have been a watch collector for over 45 years and have bought 50+ watches over that time from Timex to Rolex and I have to inform you that the Vostok Amphibian that I bought through Amazon is by far the biggest disappointment I have ever experienced in watches - and I have had some pretty disappointing watches.

Let me explain.  When I discovered the Vostok Amphibian on Amazon I was empresses by the look, the history, the technology, and by all accounts is considered by owners as a great watch. I read reviews, I watched videos and learned about the more inconvenient aspects of the watch related to winding it.  But, because I was so empresses with the reviews I thought that I could master the winding process.  Well, that has not been achieved after about four months of non-stop efforts on my part.

I’ve sat at in my family room night after night, hour after hour trying to wind the watch successfully.  I have pulled the stem out and set the time, screwed the stem all the way in and the pulled it to ‘position two’ as all the videos and instructions indicate.  I start to screw the stem next to going into ‘position three’ but the stem doesn’t engage with any gears (no resistance).  If I screw the stem closer to the ‘home position’ the stem seems to engage with something but after two hours of winding there’s no difference in resistance.

After all this, the second hand is moving but once I cautiously screw the stem in snug the second hand stops.  I back the stem off and the second hands starts but stops after about 30-45 seconds - probably because I’ve not succeeded in winding the watch.

So, at this point I cannot wear this watch at all because it is unreliable and that is just not right!  I have paid money for a product that doesn’t work properly.

As I mentioned in my opening paragraph, this watch is by far the biggest disappointment I have ever experienced as a watch collector.

Biggest Watch Disappointment Ever!

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  • Well marketed
  • Uniqueness
  • Good reviews
  • Cannot wind
  • Unreliable
  • No response from Vostok after two direct emails and this review on Amazon
Reply
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It really sounds like you got a defective watch. Vostoks can be tricky to wind sometimes (I have three), but not like you’re describing. I usually only have to give the stem one turn to get mine going, then the rotor takes over and I’m off to the races. I’d contact customer support if you’re still able to. 

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The other thing I'll say is that Vostoks aren't great watches, they're great $100 watches.  They have interesting dials and an automatic movement for a low low price, and your ratings show that.  An interesting design with a cool dial and a cheap movement is a lot to get for about $100, but if you're going to compare it to anything else you're used to, forget it.  

At that price, it's probably hit or miss, and unfortunately, you got a miss.

I got mine several years ago and they were $70, but now I'm seeing them on Amazon for $150.  At that price, they aren't nearly the value they used to be even when they work properly.

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thekris

The other thing I'll say is that Vostoks aren't great watches, they're great $100 watches.  They have interesting dials and an automatic movement for a low low price, and your ratings show that.  An interesting design with a cool dial and a cheap movement is a lot to get for about $100, but if you're going to compare it to anything else you're used to, forget it.  

At that price, it's probably hit or miss, and unfortunately, you got a miss.

I got mine several years ago and they were $70, but now I'm seeing them on Amazon for $150.  At that price, they aren't nearly the value they used to be even when they work properly.

The ones on Amazon for $150 are definitely resellers inflating the price for people who don’t want to wait for international shipping. They’re still around $80 when bought from ADs. 

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Sounds like you got a bum watch dude. It takes a little finesse to get the Vostok wind down, but not nearly as much as you're describing.

I have a working amphibia and it's a pretty unique and tough movement. Doesn't keep the best time however and sadly they are made of inferior steel that is prone to rust so I wouldn't get it too wet all the time.

Other than that it's a great watch, tough and I really love the vintage look of the crystal. I'd say try again, maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

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You just have to exhibit a slight pulling force on the crown as you wind it in its wobbly state. It takes a little getting used to...and then you get it down for life. It's like balancing on a bike as a kid for the first time. Just be patient. The Vostok gods will eventually bless you with a properly-ticking Amphibia👍🏾

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Beautiful woman at my office, who knows I love watches and asks me often about what I’m wearing. (I’m sure because we get along very well and not because she had any interest in watches) declared that my Vostock “looks like a toy”. Ouch! But my WIS blinders dropped and looking at it objectively I had to agree. 

Bye bye, Ivan

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I struggled with winding the Amphibia movements until I saw some YT videos that made it easier.  I've ordered in the past direct from the country of origin, and the instructions (at least the English version) were definitely not for the watches I ordered.

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I think you just have a bad example and it will be interesting to see what customer service you get from vostok?

Please be mindful it is a budget watch.

My amphibia was my first automatic purchases for fifty odd pounds towards the end of last year. Winding it took a bit of experimentation but once you learn how to it should be no issue at all. It keeps excellent time and I wear it running ,pool swimming and sea swimming and it still looks like new. I'm a big fan and if I were to review it it would score much higher.

But that's just my experience and obviously I got a good one!

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It’s kind of interesting. I’ve heard this often when people got their vostoks from Amazon. Never heard of this when you get it from Meranom directly.

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Maybe they have loaned out some cogs to the warmachine?

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I have two Amphibia's that I have never hand wound. The auto winding is enough to get it going. I hate adjusting the date on them since it isn't a quick set type. 

The Komandiskire (commander) is a manual wind "field" watch style and I haven't had troubles winding them by hand (no auto on that model). The winding position on these are a bit firmer than on the autos. 

Mine has a cushion style case but I have been looking at a case like the one you have. They have so many options to pick from. Russian watches are weird compared to what we are used to but that is some of the appeal. 

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I have never had any problems winding my Vostok Amphibia 420280 that I bought from PoljotUhren through Amazon.de. I actually find it quite easy to wind, although it is my only mechanical watch so I don't have any point of comparison.

From this it sounds like you have a defective one.

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OlDirtyBezel

It really sounds like you got a defective watch. Vostoks can be tricky to wind sometimes (I have three), but not like you’re describing. I usually only have to give the stem one turn to get mine going, then the rotor takes over and I’m off to the races. I’d contact customer support if you’re still able to. 

I've gotten a dud 710 before. Same issue. I have a few of these, you likely have a broken stem. Return it and get another. You will love it!

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Each of these have needed an abrupt whack against a firm surface at one point or another to get them working properly. 

They take a licking but (literally) keep on ticking

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I have had two Vostoks over the years, an Amphibian and a Tank Commander. Sadly, my experience and opinion of Vostok is similar to yours. Just disapointment, can't recommend this brand unfortunately.