Scuba Dude Review
Although I’ve only had this watch for just a few days I can totally see what all the hype was all about. Jody from the YouTube channel Just One More Watch compared ownership of a Vostok to joining a cult. The team from the podcast Two Broke Watch Snobs have talked about Russian watches on countless episodes. And the amount of YouTube videos and websites dedicated to modding out these watches is insane (although I personally can not imagine modifying my Scuba Dude). The hype is real Crunchers! It’s been reviewed to death and everyone gets it right. The bracelet is terrible, the bezel action feels like nails on a chalkboard, the crown tube leaves a lot to be desired. But the pros far outweigh the cons. A movement that is sturdy, dependable, and will not require a service for an absurd amount of time, a robust case design that, just like the Black Bird Spy Plane, will only become more sturdy the deeper you go in it’s meant for atmosphere. And of course the dial with a hue of blue green that I’ve never seen before and a really cool scuba diver prominently displayed on the upper half between the cannon pinion and the 12 o’clock marker. This is a no nonsense Watch designed by no nonsense Russians to be a military tool. I highly doubt they invisioned the smile that this design would bring to not only my face but that of millions more around the world mainly because I think smiling in Russia at that time was outlawed and the KGB would kidnap you in the middle of the night and send you to some desolate camp in the middle of nowhere for doing so. All in all I can’t wait to see what ownership of this watch will bring. Dive into the hype people, get a Scuba Dude!
Scuba Dude Review
Yes
No
- Tough as nails
- Great fit, wears comfortably despite large dimensions.
- Puts a massive smile on my face when I see that little Scuba Dude on my wrist.
- Gritty friction fit bidirectional bezel
- The bracelet is just god awful
- Crown tube is also gritty but I’m sure with some lube this will make screwing the crown in and out much less cringey.
Watches are my hobby, passion, and a great distraction from work. I’m glad to finally share a platform with others that have the same addiction as I do.
I really hope we have reached a point where everyone just gives 5* reviews for everything purely to troll @Aurelian 😆
Are you giving it 5/5 across the board based on what it offers for the money?
Vostok have definitely become iconic!
I really hope we have reached a point where everyone just gives 5* reviews for everything purely to troll @Aurelian 😆
Are you giving it 5/5 across the board based on what it offers for the money?
Vostok have definitely become iconic!
Yes you are 💯 right. Not only do you get a great watch for $100 but you also have the history behind it.
I got the same Vostok a few years ago and it still runs well and is very sturdy indeed. It's a beater watch and one that is meant to be marked up and worn in the world. It's not one of my personal favorites but for what it is I do respect it for its place in the community.
Teal is probably the color you're looking for.
How does it get 5 stars across the board when there are 3 different aspects that you don't like?
Vostoks are the Best watches, absolutely love em!
I really hope we have reached a point where everyone just gives 5* reviews for everything purely to troll @Aurelian 😆
Are you giving it 5/5 across the board based on what it offers for the money?
Vostok have definitely become iconic!
I have been inspired by this review.
(I have a vintage Vostok from the 1980's which I really like but almost never wear.)
From a service standpoint, Vostok are the best. Who needs Mobius 9010 at $30 an ounce when Mobile SAE 10W30 for $6 a quart works just as well.
All jokes aside, they are great watches to learn the craft. You can go on eBay and buy an entire lot of movements for under $100. Even though they have a high jewel count they’re not overly complicated.
Bezel swaps are fun on the amphibia!
Well, it is obvious you love the watch and thats fantastic. There is no way I would grade it a 5.0 thats for damm sure.
Other than the meaningless bezel, this is a fantastic watch. I think as you, modifying my Amphibia makes no sense. Plus is giving me (measured at my timegrapher) +8spd🔥🔥
My first automatic was my no-date Scuba Dude!
I hated the friction bezel tbh and put a smooth one on. Its been on a variety of straps and bracelets, but currently on a CNS NATO.
Welcome to the cult comrade!!
They are mediocre watches at best. And they are fun to collect. I have three Komandirskie models from the 1990s! So, I love them, too, but review scores really have to reflect the watch quality rather than the emotion. My $0.02…
I've actually kept mine on the original bracelet just for the giggles. And added a clear caseback to see the workhorse movement. And a teal bezel from AM-Watches. It still makes me smile every time I put it on 😎
I am so glad you love yours. I have 5 different models. I was told that they were a great investment. I beg to differ. 2 of them run decent but the others have a mind of their own. One gains 20 minutes a day and another 2 lose about 20 minutes. It doesn't matter how many times that they are adjusted they still keep horrible time. Winding them is a chore. With the springy stem they tend to be a bit tough to wind. If I'm voting on a scale of 1 to 5 these things get a 2.25 from me. That's for looks. They do look cool.
I’ve got one similar to yours and have enjoyed it. I chose a tan nato strap instead of the bracelet…so I can’t comment on that. But I like the feel of the crown and bezel…though I’d probably give mine something like a 3.8.
Love what Vostok stands for: rugged, tough, no none-sense tool watch. Of course it falls short on a lot of attributes we might like to have in a watch. But for the money, I guess you still come out ahead. It does fill-in a particular purpose in a collection. 😁
Amazing - these are just getting silly now. The moment you start putting anything in the “Cons” section, that 5/5 should be dropping faster than the pound against the dollar. These are popular watches but with well-known quirks and issues, even amongst the hardcore, so please can we inject an element of rationality into these “reviews”.
The bezel, bracelet and crown suck, yet you put 5 stars everything. Curious. 🤔
Cheap watches, that were once interesting in a crappy, kitschy sort of way. But with the current situation in Ukraine, I wouldn't back a Russian product - of any kind - if you paid me. I'd just feel dirty.
And it shouldn't need to be said, other mileages may differ. Doesn't make my own feelings wrong.
Nice piece! But more likely a 3 to 3.5 / 5. Still respectable.
Scubs scubs dude, where are you? 😉
Be warned, buying and getting your first Vostok especially an Amphibia like the Scuba Dude is akin to some guy stating “I’m just going to take one hit off the crack pipe, just one and never again.” And there he and you go down the rabbit hole. But this Vostok syndrome is fun, healthy, not as expensive and it’s legal! But maybe it shouldn’t be.
Its done that way so shock to the crown can't damage the watch
Cheap watches, that were once interesting in a crappy, kitschy sort of way. But with the current situation in Ukraine, I wouldn't back a Russian product - of any kind - if you paid me. I'd just feel dirty.
And it shouldn't need to be said, other mileages may differ. Doesn't make my own feelings wrong.
I wear Soviet watches because They are not the problem and because it sends money to Ukraine. Don't feel right about my Scuba dude these days.
Have one myself.
Be warned, buying and getting your first Vostok especially an Amphibia like the Scuba Dude is akin to some guy stating “I’m just going to take one hit off the crack pipe, just one and never again.” And there he and you go down the rabbit hole. But this Vostok syndrome is fun, healthy, not as expensive and it’s legal! But maybe it shouldn’t be.
Started out with one now we have 12.
Anybody seen bugs Bunny down here in or around the rabbit hole ?
Anything I can do to tighten that loose time regulator ?
Anybody?
I appreciate you are enthusiastic about this watch but your scoring is ridiculous given the poor quality bracelet, bezel & crown etc!
Vostok Amphibias are nice, when the price come down here I'll sure get one!
Good review!