Vostok watches
The Russian watch factory Vostok (Russian Восток "east", "Orient" ) was founded in 1942 on the orders of Joseph Stalin and is now in the city Tschistopol 800 km east of Moscow. Has necessitated the relocation of the Second Moscow Watch Factory during the Second World War due to advancing forming Wehrmacht troops.
Since Vostok is one of the official suppliers of the Russian and former Soviet Army. After the end of World War II also watches were produced alongside Clocks for planes, tanks and submarines. Up until recent times but they were only available for military personnel only in special shops.
The most popular models are the Vostok Komandirskije ( German: Commander ), which was produced since 1962, and the Vostok Amphibia since 1968, which were mainly delivered as wristwatches for gentlemen at the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. Corresponding models carry on the dial, the words " ЗАКАЗ МО СССР ".
Movement
The movements are based on modified Swiss Valjoux calibers in a robust design. The automatic caliber bring it here by their flywheel to a weight of about 50 grams. There are also non-magnetic models in which the balance is shielded by a shell made of soft iron. A characteristic feature is the screw-down crown of the waterproof watch case. The case back is also screwed and consisting of two parts. The actual cover is bolted together with a ring by a thread on a rubber seal. For the Amphibia models this should ensure water resistance to 200 meters depth.
Widely used is the Vostok automatic caliber 2416th This mechanical movement has 31 jewels, shock protection, a power reserve of 31 hours, a ball-bearing flywheel rotor and a lever escapement. The balance wheel oscillates at 19800/2 vibrations per hour.
The manually wound caliber of Vostok 2414 is now less produced. It has 17 jewels, lever escapement, 19600/2 vibrations per hour, shock protection, date display and a central second. The power reserve is fully wound 43 hours.
Appearance
The vast majority of both old and new dials showing military motifs. Nevertheless, there have been met with civilian and advertising motifs not only by Soviet companies. The housing forms were also subject to the changing times and availability, as these were not made by Vostok itself. So sometimes also plastic for the watch case was used.
Fakes
The popularity of Soviet watches has also launched counterfeiters on the plan. Typical differences to the originals are mostly too small crown and a one-piece base with plastic seal. The following images show each an original Vostok compared to a forgery.
Links the original, right forgery
Links the original, right forgery