Vostoks: The gateway drug to watch collecting and modding!
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Savvas
Watch nerd (well, duh). A bit on the budget end of the market, no fancy AP or Pateks here. Big fan of Seiko, Orient, Citizen, Vostok and Casio among others. Recently got into the modding habit (light...
Thessaloniki, Greece
Member since
Last active: 1 month ago
I would have to agree. I looked at lot of Vostoks before I found the 120512 on a Teddy Baldassarre video-
I enjoy it well out of proportion to its sub-$100 pricetag.
My only complaint would be I wish it had 20mm lugs instead of 18mm, but that's a very minor issue. I've regulated it to keep excellent time.
Since I got the first Vostok, I bought a "Scuba Dude" and a Kommandirskie K34.
They probably won't be my last...
You have a nice collection of some of the more, tasteful, designs...
Vostok certainly makes a design for all tastes!
I think Vostok inadvertently steers purchasers into their first baby steps at modding (if they hadn't already taken those steps).
The stock straps/bands are undesirable … so people buy Vostoks with the intent of replacing the straps immediately. In addition, many of the stock bezels are mediocre, particularly compared to the bezels that can easily be purchased through Meranom or Komandirskie.com. Once people have gotten comfortable swapping out straps and bezels, then they've already taken their first baby steps into modding.
And when owners want to take their next steps, the same websites sell a collection of casebacks, crowns, faces, and hands.
Furthermore, with the low price point, owners are less worried about damaging their Vostoks during the modding process. That makes owners more fearless during the learning process.
I think Vostok inadvertently steers purchasers into their first baby steps at modding (if they hadn't already taken those steps).
The stock straps/bands are undesirable … so people buy Vostoks with the intent of replacing the straps immediately. In addition, many of the stock bezels are mediocre, particularly compared to the bezels that can easily be purchased through Meranom or Komandirskie.com. Once people have gotten comfortable swapping out straps and bezels, then they've already taken their first baby steps into modding.
And when owners want to take their next steps, the same websites sell a collection of casebacks, crowns, faces, and hands.
Furthermore, with the low price point, owners are less worried about damaging their Vostoks during the modding process. That makes owners more fearless during the learning process.
I would agree with one exception. My 120512 came with a very good, Seiko style, rubber dive strap. In fact, it's better than the Seiko that I have. I'm also relatively sure it wasn't made in the former Soviet Union...
I would agree with one exception. My 120512 came with a very good, Seiko style, rubber dive strap. In fact, it's better than the Seiko that I have. I'm also relatively sure it wasn't made in the former Soviet Union...
That's a fair point, MASP7GMT. I don't buy/wear rubber straps, because I live in a hot, humid climate, and rubber straps breathe like … rubber. On the other hand, I suspect most Vostok wearers live in more temperate or colder climates.
As one additional point for Vostoks being a gateway to modding, the "baby steps" mods can significantly enhance the appearance, which really gives people the confidence to keep trying.
For example, I received a few new bezels in the mail from Meranom today. I decided swap out the bezel and strap on the Komandirskie I was wearing, which gave this result:
For comparison, the original look of the watch (stock photo from the Vostok website):
Every week or two I'll swap out the bezel and/or strap of this watch to give it a different look. I have three straps and two … well … as of today, three bezels in the regular rotation.
I don't think my red/navy combo is the best possible combination of elements for this watch, either. I have other combinations that I like equally well. I'm sure someone else could create something even nicer. (The stock appearance wasn't bad either.) But I thought the navy watch face and navy canvas strap worked well with my navy shirt, while the red bezel provided a nice pop of contrasting color. And it only took a few minutes to swap things around.
I ordered a new Amphibia (which should arrive in the next week or six). While picking it out, I wasn't really thinking at all about the stock appearance. Instead, I was envisioning all the different looks I could create with other straps and bezels. (This was the main reason I purchased the red bezel, among others.) So Vostoks have encouraged me to look at my purchases through a modding mindset.
While I was mulling over the new Amphibia, I saw another Amphibia that I liked equally well … except for the color of the second hand. But if I'm willing to take an additional step in modding, crack open the case and muck around inside, I can change the color of that second hand.
So tempting.
As savvas74 said: "The gateway drug to watch collecting and modding!"
Where's the best place to buy a Vostok? I live in Australia but it doesn't matter where I get it from.
Where's the best place to buy a Vostok? I live in Australia but it doesn't matter where I get it from.
I bought mine from ebay (the zenitar store is a good seller) and meranom (the official retailer). Both are dependable sellers.
Where's the best place to buy a Vostok? I live in Australia but it doesn't matter where I get it from.
@Omega1Day,
I would recommend the following three websites:
All three websites can be set to English, but the translations might be … interesting.
VostokInc.com has the cheapest prices. (My Amphibia cost $63, including shipping.) Komandirskie.com is the best about listing measurements (in the description). Meranom.com often has a "photo" showing the measurements.
If you want to modify your Vostok, parts (bezels, faces, hands, etc.) are available at Meranom.com and Komandirskie.com. Since the watches use standard-sized straps (18mm, 22mm), I'll just buy 3rd party straps from Amazon or eBay.
The websites frequently warn that shipping can take 1-2 months. My most recent purchase from VostokInc.com took 4 weeks to arrive. My most recent purchase from Meranom.com (placed on the same day) took 3 weeks to arrive.
@Mrbudgetwatch made a video reviewing all three websites 1-2 weeks ago. You might want to get his impression as well.
@Omega1Day,
I would recommend the following three websites:
All three websites can be set to English, but the translations might be … interesting.
VostokInc.com has the cheapest prices. (My Amphibia cost $63, including shipping.) Komandirskie.com is the best about listing measurements (in the description). Meranom.com often has a "photo" showing the measurements.
If you want to modify your Vostok, parts (bezels, faces, hands, etc.) are available at Meranom.com and Komandirskie.com. Since the watches use standard-sized straps (18mm, 22mm), I'll just buy 3rd party straps from Amazon or eBay.
The websites frequently warn that shipping can take 1-2 months. My most recent purchase from VostokInc.com took 4 weeks to arrive. My most recent purchase from Meranom.com (placed on the same day) took 3 weeks to arrive.
@Mrbudgetwatch made a video reviewing all three websites 1-2 weeks ago. You might want to get his impression as well.
Thanks for the shout out. Appreciate that.