Received my Vostok Amphibia today
I received my Amphibia today. I bought it from vostok-wathes24 alongside a display caseback and it took about 3 weeks to get the watch from ordering.
The watch looks good. Much nicer in person than I expected it to based on photos. It also wears nicer than I expected given the thickness.
The quality is what I would call a perfect example of meh. It's solid all around and the finishing is fine, but basically everything that can be misaligned is misaligned and there are problems with operating some parts of the watch (the caseback attachment system).
The movement, despite having a high jewel count and looking cool, is also something that I would rate below a H35 for example. It's not hacking, which makes it pretty bad in my books, and none of the other specs stand out as anything good.
On the other hand, the movement does have a lot of shock protection stuff, but I don't find this to be all that useful in my case.
As for the display caseback, it ended up being a disappointment. The screw-in ring for closing the caseback does not screw in properly with it, thus making that caseback utterly useless. Screwing in the normal caseback after taking it off also has issues and it does just pop out sometimes while screwing it in, but I have managed to screw it in somehow, although I have no faith in the water resistance holding up anymore due to this.
From a purely quality standpoint, my now disassembled Invicta Pro Diver is noticeably better at a similar price and also has a nicer movement. Neither is even close to my (different category) Escapement Time watch, so homage dive watches from AliExpress are probably better than either of these as well.
On the other hand, the one aspect of this watch that I have seen criticized is the bracelet and that seems perfectly fine to me. The links are hollow, it's rattly, one of the end links has some room to shake and nothing is particularly good about it, but it has sufficient adjustment and doesn't pull out my arm hair, so it's totally fine, albeit low quality.
However, the quality is sufficient for the money and I never expected good quality from it. It's a very unique watch and it's a look that I really like. Nothing else really does what these do and for that, I think it's worth the money. Now I just really hope that the caseback stays on and doesn't randomly fall off in use.
Dunno. Guess I like watches. Check out my Instagram for some extra watch pics (@op_watch_pics).
It looks tremendous in your pictures. I have an amphibia and a Komanderski.
I was wondering why the display case back for the amphibia? The movement is never going to look pretty?
It looks tremendous in your pictures. I have an amphibia and a Komanderski.
I was wondering why the display case back for the amphibia? The movement is never going to look pretty?
I don't need a movement to be full gold or whatever to want to see it. I appreciate being able to see the insides of my watch regardless of how much "decoration" is on there.
Besides, I think the movement looks good, so I don't really get why I wouldn't want to display it.
Fair point I don't disagree with you I just hadn't heard of an amphibia with a display case back before!
I had planned on purchasing a pair of them, but won’t do so on principle until the geopolitical situation is successfully resolved. I refuse to contribute to the Russian economy.
I own two Vostok Amfibia (for some reasons the Cyrillic lettering definitively spells Amfibia but everyone refers to them as Amphibia) one is a 410 and another a 720 case.
They are very interesting watches, showcasing what can be done when one take a different path to achieve the same goals. I found that they wear well on my wrist and keep time decently, which is all I really ask from a watch.
They are also very fun to own because the moding community generated a wealth of accessories and options for them. I upgraded the crown to the SS signed crown. changed the case back and replaced the bezels. Basically they are still Amfibia with the same extraordinary WR and toughness, but they now have a look which is unique to me.
They may not be the best watches around but they are still one of the more special that I own.
I didn’t know that they were still available for import, what with Putin’s war and all. Interesting.
I ordered mine from Soviet.market. Before the war you could get one in about five days. I ordered an Amphibia "Scuba Dude" in an 090 case as I like chunky dive watches. Traditional back and seal. Your case back would drive me crazier.
I didn’t know that they were still available for import, what with Putin’s war and all. Interesting.
The company I got mine from now seem to be selling though London.
I had planned on purchasing a pair of them, but won’t do so on principle until the geopolitical situation is successfully resolved. I refuse to contribute to the Russian economy.
If you want a Vostok now, Ukraine is full of watchmakers ready when you are. You can get a great piece at a good price and help a Ukraine business.