Vostok (Russian:
Восток, meaning
East*)
Watch Makers, Inc.
produces mainly rugged military and diver mechanical watches at its
factory in Chistopol, Tatarstan, Russia. It also makes clocks and watch
movements for other watch brands.
The Vostok Company was
founded in 1942 when one of the Moscow watch-making plants of the First
Moscow Watch Factory was evacuated to Chistopol, a small town located on
the Kama River in Tatarstan.[1] Only defense equipment was produced
during the war years, but as soon as the war was over the company
started making mechanical wrist watches. However, the Company did not
begin using the "Vostok" brand name until the 1960s. *Presumable
"Vostok" brand was named after the Vostok space program, which gave the
initial advancement of the USSR in the Space race (as some others soviet
watch brands, named to space topics in 1960s - Poljot and Raketa).
This is Vostok factory tour and general explanation of mechanical watch
functions produced by Russian television. This is an exceptionally well
produced segment on Vostok in specific, Russian watches in general and
the macro of all watch functions. Covers the Komanderskie and Amphibia
models. Also gives great demonstrations on how reliable and sturdy the
Vostok watch is.
Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSypRT_Yopo
You can see my extreeme temperature experiment with just click this url:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVzSQBOUK5Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubp2sQSy8iY
This is extreem experiment again, Vostok: Engineered to be taft !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhB_E-IjohE&feature=channel&list=UL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD8hTlyy4kc&feature=BFa&list=ULnhB_E-IjohE
This is Komandirskie vs Omega Seamaster:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZbupQ9_nC0
The
company was appointed an official supplier of watches for the Defense
Department of the Soviet Union in 1965. This year also marks the
creation of the well known
Komandirskie ("Commander's") watch.
(Komandirskie 2414a 17 Jewels - Russian 2012)
(Amphibi manual 17 Jewels - USSR 1990)
(Amphibi automatic 21 Jewels - USSR 1980)
(Vostok Amphibia 1967 Re-Issue - 2415 31 Jewels 2012)
(Vostok Amphibia for Indonesia limited edition 2416b 31 Jewels - 2011)
The experience gained through development of the army watch led to the
Amphibia,
a stainless-steel watch able to withstand a 200 meter depth (20atm).
By 1980, Vostok Watch Makers was producing 4.5 million timepieces per
year.[1]
Watches issued to the military were marked "ЗАКАЗ МО
СССР," meaning "By Order of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR." These
models were subject to rigorous quality control and sold exclusively
through Voentorg stores, which catered to military personnel with
identification only. (Today, these models have become sought-after
collectibles.)
(Vostok Komandirskie - 3AKA3 MO CCCP - Paratrooper circa 1990)
(Vostok Komandirskie - 3AKA3 MO CCCP - Chistopol circa 1970)
At turn of the 21st century, Vostok launched a line of 1940s-style replicas called the
Kirovskie K-43 collection. Vostok also began producing a "luxury" line of watches called
Kremlevskie. Both lines are made of stainless steel, produced in limited quantities, and aimed toward a more affluent consumer.
In
2004, Vostok Watch Makers began supplying movements to the Koliz
Company of Lithuania, makers of the Vostok Europe brand of timepieces.
In
2006, Vostok Watch Makers began marketing another new line of watches
branded "Amfibia." This brand, like most other Vostok products,
features the familiar 31-jewel automatic (No. 2416B) movement. These
watches feature "diver" styling with polyurethane or stainless steel
bands.
An updated version of the
Komandirskie debuted in summer, 2007, and a special anniversary edition of the
Amphibia (called the "1967") appeared in early 2008. Both of these models feature high-quality assembly, materials and packaging.
Despite the introduction of the new lines of
Komandirskie and
Amphibia, the "classic" models (mostly designed in 1960s and 1970s) of these lines was still in production (as of 2009).
In
early 2010, Vostok Watch Factory filed for bankruptcy and their
official web page was disabled. Despite that, the production didn't stop
and the factory is still working and supplying watches and movements
(as of May 2010).
List of Vostok movements
Vostok
produces all the mechanical movements by itself. The company also owns
daughter-company "Briolet" specialized in production of technical
ruby-jewels. Vostok supplies movements for other watch makers like
Vostok-Europe,
Volmax,
Moscow Classic and
Poljot-International. The 24mm caliber movements of Vostok, currently in production (as of 2010), are presented in the table below:
Timeline
1942, July 1, in Chistopol,
watch factory NK MV 835, is created on the basis of the Second Moscow
watch factory and DOS factory, manufacturing products for needs of
frontlines.
1943, Release of K-43 men's watch, and
instrument production is begun. The machine-tool construction for watch
manufacture is organized.
1949, Serial release of a K-26
"Pobeda" man's watch, wall-mounted ship clocks with a luminous dial,
clocks for a/m "ZiM", "Volga", "Pobeda", wall-mounted and street
industrial clocks are begun.
1950, The factory has started construction of own industrial buildings.
1952,
The factory released of "Kama" shock-proof watches in water-proof
case, clock devices for various branches of a national economy.
1957,
Release of precision watches: K-28 "East", "Mir", "Volna", "Saturn",
"Cosmos" with lateral and central second hands, a lens and shock-proof
movement is mastered. Export of Chisopol watches has increased 7 times.
1962, Chistopol Watch Factory is awarded the gold medal of the Leipzig international fair;
Komandirskie
watches are developed and manufacturing begins; Chistopol watch factory
became the official supplier of these watches to the Ministry of
Defence of the USSR.
1968, Release of
Amphibian" watch;
Since 1969, all watches are manufactired under the "Vostok" trademark,
and the Chistopol Watch Factory is now referred to as "Vostok Watch
Factory"
1972, Release of a new 24 calibres man's watch
with a numerical calendar, a double calendar, and an automatic
movement; Watches are exported to 54 countries of the world.
1976, Cosmonaut G. Grechko presents the "Vostok" watch which has visited space to the Factory.
1980,
This year the factory manufactures 4.5 million pieces; All production
is deemed the "first" and "supreme" categories of quality.
1986,
Release of water-meters, tahografov accustoms, release of manometers
are begun. The factory passes in the Ministry of the radioindustry.
Chistopol faculty “Vostok” of Kazan Aircraft University is opened.
1989,
The factory passes to self-financing, in 1990 - on rent. The
assortment of watches is annually updated on 70%, release of watches
with custom-made symbolics is mastered. Export of watches increases.
1992,
The factory passes under jurisdiction of Republic Tatarstan and
becomes an Open Joint Stock company. The majority of watches are
exported to Italy, USA, Switzerland. In USA the greatest popularity was
received with "Desert storm" watch.
2000, Vostok Watch
Makers Inc. is the leader of the domestic watch and clock industry on
volumes of release and sales of men's watches. Release of the female
watches, an expensive, prestigious man's watch, and a quartz alarm
clock are begun.
2001, The factory became the owner of
"The Russian National Olympus” the prestigious premium in a nomination
"To Technology. A science" and the winner of "The Russian organization
of high social efficiency" competition in a branch nomination.
2004,
The company "Koliz Vostok Co. Ltd" was founded as a joint venture
between the Russian movement- and watch-maker "Vostok Watch Maker Inc."
and the Lithuanian enterprise "Koliz Ltd." offers the world market a
new generation of automatic watches based on the traditional Russian
watch-making technology and new designs from Lithuania. The first
collection of the new watch brand Vostok Europe was introduced at
Basel, Switzerland.
2006, "Amfibia" brand, featuring modern-style diver watches, launched.
2007, Updated Komandirskie debuts to public.
2010,
Vostok Watch Factory filed for bankruptcy. The Factory has been split
in more than 40 juridical entities, most of them no longer have links
with watchmaking.
2012, Still Exist see at they official website at here
http://www.vostok-inc.com
Vostok Limited Edition for Indonesia
Hobbiarloji.com
on behalf Kronometrofilia (Indonesian Watch Lovers mailing list
community), request for limited edition with theme Radio Room from
Vostok factory in Russian. And this is the picture :
On below dial there is words in Latin is "Made in Russian for Fans of watches in Indonesia"
From side
From Side
From Side
Back Case
With Box and Guarantee paper from factory
----oOo----
On dry land and at sea In 70 years of its existence domestic watch industry created the row of the models, which became sign.
History
of one visit " … 10… 7… 5. are inexorable, meter after the meter, moves
the wheel of machine. After harboring respiration, people thickened.
However, what will be? … Three… meter and finally occurred that, what
with this curiosity expected the people gathering here: the wheel of "
[Volgi]" moved… [chasy]." So in 1967 newspapers described the
demonstration of the possibilities of " [Amfibii]" - the first Soviet
watertight hours. Today about the generation and the special features of
this model tell its creators, Mikhail Fedorovich Novikov and Vera
Fedorovna Belov.
Task stood as follows: to develop the hours, which are not
inferior to foreign analogs and which ensure reliable work at the depth
to 200 meters, under the conditions of significant drops in the pressure
and temperature. I was at that time the chief of bureaus of new
developments, and work above " [Amfibiey]" it was necessary in basic me.
Name itself devised someone of our colleagues. Unique competition to
the name for the new hours was conducted, and there was selected here
this, symbolizing essence, is equally comfortably feeling itself, also,
in the water, and on dry land. At that time in Switzerland the
watertight hours of different constructions there was set. It would seem
that bicycle to develop: take and copy. But we could not repeat many
constructions, since our equipment did not make it possible to ensure
the necessary accuracy. Moreover almost all constructions were protected
by patents, and cannot be copied them was. A question about the
acquisition of patent even did not stand - on my memory in the USSR
principally there was not one the attempt to purchase patent or license.
We patented our developments, they protected, " [ikh]" patent they did
not buy. Patents for the watertight hours, so called 43- y class, I then
studied very thoroughly. But here histories about the Italian and other
hours for the submariners it learned and began to gather already later,
when the work on " [Amfibiey]" it was completed. Our task was not so
much in finding of the technical solution, as in finding of the same
effective solution as abroad (if it were possible - better), but
patently clean. And we developed our own construction, which they could
prepare and which did not repeat whose- or stranger. Certainly, in this
case many versions of hermetic sealing were examined, we compared them
with respect to the effectiveness of hermetic sealing and with respect
to the cost. But the running foul of hours machine - simply visual
demonstration of the strength of hours, which has nothing in common with
the present tests. The pressure, which tests hours at the maximum
depth, several times of more than the pressure of tire for the road, but
mechanical pressure and fluid pressure act differently, and cannot be
compared them.
Is at first glance, " [Amfibiya]" barely it differs from usual
hours. But in reality almost all elements of housing here special, and
with each of them it was necessary several to bustle. Let us take the
glass-: this barely is noticeable, but it has special shape. Indeed
glass- experiences the pressure of 20 [kg]/[sm]' , this very much,
several times of more than the pressure of automobile tire for the road.
At this pressure by glass- it caves in on 0,5 mm. caving in, being a
little flattened, it must additionally hermetically seal housing and not
concern in this case second hand. To calculate bend is complicated even
for the flat glass, and for such, as in " [Amfibii]" - those
more.Glass- in " [Amfibii]" it is thicker than the usual: if to "
[Komandirskikh]" -2 mm, then on the amphibian - 3 mm. but the matter not
only in the thickness and the configuration: it is made on the special
technology. In contrast to the usual, it simply they do not pour off
from the plastic, but still and they grind. In order to ensure
airtightness at a large pressure, very high accuracy along diameter is
necessary and even the least small scratches on the outline are not
admitted. In order to attain entire by this, glass- special means they
grind.
Vostok 1967
Vostok 1967
Automatic translation (Babelfish) from russian of the
interview with Mikhail Fedorovich Novikov and Fedorovna Belov, the
creators of Amphibian at Vostok in 1967
Source text and fotos (c) by http://timeway.ru/articles/na_sushe_i_na_more/ (Copy & Paste this URL)
----oOo----
The "regular" Vostok diver is rated to 200m but a 300m version was made for the military...
Photo by Kevin (Strela)
These 300m divers are very rare (only 200 were made) and there seem to
be variations - note the different hands on the one above...
Photo by Ill-Phill, who also created the excellent comparison below
showing the differences between the 200 and 300m versions. The thicker
crystal on the 300 is mineral, as opposed to acrylic on the 200...
They were made in three case versions, the tonneau version above (all
papers indicate that they were made in a batch in 1986), which followed
the earlier D-lug and swing lug variants - note that the depth rating on
these earlier casebacks is engraved as 30 ATM rather than 300m,
although tonneau cases have been seen with this earlier caseback. 2209
is the calibre. The example of the swing lug below also has a different
bezel to the others and its caseback appears polished...
*
*
Other obvious differences are the hands and crown - the earlier ones
above have a domed crown like the regular 200m, rather than straight
edged. That said, the later tonneau case below belonging to TZAG has a
domed crown and the caseback engraving is different to Ill-Phill's
tonneau example at the top - the lower engraving is missing. All of
these variations reflect the hand assembly - the common feature of all
of these 300m divers is the dial, which certainly looks hand lumed.
Photo by TZAG
Mark Gordon's caseback is different again - it has a serial number at the bottom...
The two photos above are by Mark Gordon, showing the metal can the 300s
were delivered in, plus the cyrillic instructions - some homework for
Dave S? Only three of these tins are known to exist...
---------------------------
In summary, all versions have the same dial
but there are three cases - D-lug, swing lug and tonneau; two bezels;
two types of hands and two main types of caseback (30 ATM or 300m), in
satin or polished finish with further variations of the 300m version -
with and without lower engraving or serial number, all reflecting the
uniqueness of these very rare military watches. All seem to be in very
good or NOS condition, perhaps indicating that they are storeroom
refugees?
Below is the history of how and why these watches were created - it is
an automatic translation (Babelfish) from Russian of the interview with
Mikhail Fedorovich Novikov and Fedorovna Belov, the creators of
Amphibian at Vostok in 1967...
After the creation of " [Amfibii]" at our proposal the International
standard was changed by the hours for the underwater floating. In it was
included the point about that which if is under water perpendicular to
head or buttons of hours to exert effort, then they must not pass
moisture. Is certain, " [Amfibiya]" it satisfied this requirement.
Was let out the military modification of " [Amfibii]" - [NVCH]-30. When
seamen arrived in [NIICHASPROM] with the order for the hours for the
divers, they said to them that in Chistopol' the similar model already
is let out. In order to ensure that required to fleet airtightness to 30
atm, for us it was necessary to modify series " [Amfibiyu]". [NVCH]-30
were characterized by the configuration of glass, thicker cover.
These hours were tested according to the very wired program. Even belt
pA strength checked. By the way, fastening in belt on [NVCH]-30 also was
its, a little strange to form, but very durable.
Major portion of the tests was conducted in [NIIChASPROMe], and
acceptance were passed during the studies of fleet in the North Sea. By
the way, on them they rehearsed something more similarly to the rescuing
of the crew of " [Kurska]". Submarine (then, true, diesel) lay on the
bottom at the depth of 120-130 meters, imitating emergency. There were
two rescue ships, colossal floating crane of " [Karpaty]" , diving
bells, the camera of decompression, the brigade of divers. I do not
know, where this all disappeared now. The diagram of work is such. Bell
gets down from the ship, is established on special **** area on the
boat, is forced against it due to the pressure. The people pass from the
boat into the bell, they raise upward into the decompression chamber.
One group of seamen of six people raised on those studies. Our hours
were in the divers, who worked at the depth. Both tests and studies
passed well.During these tests the hours were checked at the maximum
depths - more than 100 meters, although actually they were intended for
other purposes. In divers -[glubokovodnikov] a constant radio
communication with the ship, yes even in their heavy equipment at this
depth it is simply inconvenient to look at the hours. But they were
irreplaceable for the scuba divers, the combat swimmers our [NVCH]-30.
Returning to Jie Hong's photo at the beginning, I
vaguely recall
reading somewhere that the depth rating of the Zlatoust was 300m,
although Peter from Bremont doubted its water resistance due to the flat
glass. Could it be that the 300m Vostok was conceived as a replacement
for the pocket watch movement Zlatoust, which does appear to come from
an earlier age? The Vostok may be smaller but every effort was made to
make the dial as legible as possible.
As you will appreciate, due to the rarity of these watches (just 200 are
believed to have been made) the only way to compile this post was to
use the above photos, which have been credited where possible.
Regards
Jon'.
P.S. In case you were wondering, yes, I do have a 300m Vostok in my collection.
Last edited by StampeSV4; 28-12-2009 at 23:39.
Soviet / Russian Watches Collection link url:
http://www.autosoviet.altervista.org/autosoviet-watchcollection.htm
http://www.netgrafik.ch/russiantimes.htm
