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Birth Year Watch (1991)

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Discussion starter · #21 ·
Norm S said:
Is the rule for this you need the watch to be made in that specific birthyear or.. Is my yachtmaster model line started in 1992 good enough

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Haha, the trick is to get it as close to your birth day as possible. Same year is good. Same year and month is better. Same year., month and day and you would be the king of all the watches or something :p, no idea how you'd figure the day out though haha.
 
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#22 · (Edited)
FrakkenPrawn said:
Edit Edit : Found another one but this one has an Automatic movement and I thought the Vostoks from that period were all hand wind? Anyone have any thoughts on this? I also noticed the caseback says "amphibian" or whatever that is in russian on the back so I doubt that's original case back at least? I do however love the dial on this one and it is in much better condition all round... so confused :/

VOSTOK KOMANDIRSKIE Helicopter Soviet USSR Military Watch Automatic Excellent | eBay
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The 2416b (automatic) was introduced in the 80s, although it was somewhat uncommon (compared to the hand-wind 2409 and 2209), the "SU" stamp on the movement means it was produced in Soviet years. There is a good chance that the dial is from time period specified (during the perestroika period Vostok put neither "Made in USSR" or "Made in Russia" on the dial). Although I am not a fan of that seller, he is a known frankenmaster (the dial says "Komandirskie" but those are Amphibia hands/case). I would look elsewhere.
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
GuessWho said:
The 2416b (automatic) was introduced in the 80s, although it was somewhat uncommon (compared to the hand-wind 2409 and 2209), the "SU" stamp on the movement means it was produced in Soviet years. There is a good chance that the dial is from time period specified (during the perestroika period Vostok put neither "Made in USSR" or "Made in Russia" on the dial). Although I am not a fan of that seller, he is a known frankenmaster (the dial says "Komandirskie" but those are Amphibia hands/case). I would look elsewhere.
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Thanks, I had a sinking feeling it was something along those lines :/

What do you think of the black one, I'm almost 100% sure its original but would there be any way to touch up the dial? Or maybe even source one elsewhere and put it in myself?
 
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#24 ·
FrakkenPrawn said:
Thanks, I had a sinking feeling it was something along those lines :/

What do you think of the black one, I'm almost 100% sure its original but would there be any way to touch up the dial? Or maybe even source one elsewhere and put it in myself?
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That one looks better; that is a Komandirskie with proper hands, movement, case, and dial (I'm not 100% sure about the crown, I don't think I have seen this watch with the 2 o'clock crown). Again we see the dial has no "Made in" marking, dating it somewhere between 89-92. The "cracks" on the dial are normal for Vostoks, you could try and touch it up but it will likely be very fragile (may cause more harm then good).

I've never dealt with that seller, but I don't see any negative reports here on WUS. The price is OK, especially if it has actually been serviced. Although I do see some frankens/fantasy watches in his other listings (there are also legit ones mixed in). Might not be a bad idea to post it in this thread:https://www.watchuseek.com/f10/q-expertise-thread-watch-legit-franken-894887.html and see what some more experienced members think.
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
GuessWho said:
That one looks better; that is a Komandirskie with proper hands, movement, case, and dial (I'm not 100% sure about the crown, I don't think I have seen this watch with the 2 o'clock crown). Again we see the dial has no "Made in" marking, dating it somewhere between 89-92. The "cracks" on the dial are normal for Vostoks, you could try and touch it up but it will likely be very fragile (may cause more harm then good).

I've never dealt with that seller, but I don't see any negative reports here on WUS. The price is OK, especially if it has actually been serviced. Although I do see some frankens/fantasy watches in his other listings (there are also legit ones mixed in). Might not be a bad idea to post it in this thread:https://www.watchuseek.com/f10/q-expertise-thread-watch-legit-franken-894887.html and see what some more experienced members think.
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From what I've read it's meant to have the crown at the 2 o'clock. Hmm ok I'll leave well enough alone with it then :p. That is unless I can source a newer dial from somewhere!

I'll give that thread a try, thanks so much for the help!
 
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#26 · (Edited)
I'd like to note it would be difficult to determine the exact year of age of a Vostok if it doesn't have original papers with it, because the serial numbers seem to be arbitrary. While I encourage anyone to check out Vostok's unique offerings, it's probably not the best option for an exact birth-year watch.

Your two examples linked, based on the dials alone, do mean they were produced around the early 90's, but this might make them younger than your birthday by some degree. I don't know that the absence of text occurred any earlier than 1991.

They could both be original however. Some Amphibians were made with Komandirskie dials, and it does have matching black hands for the white face.

Image


Taking this collector's example for comparison, the only other difference is the absence of the lume-dot bezel. Most Amphibians came with a lumed bezel. It's possible it may have been made that way, as Vostok made hundreds of combinations, but less likely since a bezel is so easy to swap.

The price for the black one is certainly agreeable to me taking the rare dial into account, since it's still in acceptable condition and less likely franken, but I don't doubt the white one too much either overall and would consider a purchase it if bidding didn't drive the price any higher.

Also, June 1991 here. ;-)
 
Discussion starter · #27 · (Edited)
Arizone said:
I'd like to note it would be difficult to determine the exact year of age of a Vostok if it doesn't have original papers with it, because the serial numbers seem to be arbitrary. While I encourage anyone to check out Vostok's unique offerings, it's probably not the best option for an exact birth-year watch.

Your two examples linked, based on the dials alone, do mean they were produced around the early 90's, but this might make them younger than your birthday by some degree. I don't know that the absence of text occurred any earlier than 1991.

They could both be original however. Some Amphibians were made with Komandirskie dials, and it does have matching black hands for the white face.

Taking this collector's example for comparison, the only other difference is the absence of the lume-dot bezel. Most Amphibians came with a lumed bezel. It's possible it may have been made that way, as Vostok made hundreds of combinations, but less likely since a bezel is so easy to swap.

The price for the black one is certainly agreeable to me taking the rare dial into account, since it's still in acceptable condition and less likely franken, but I don't doubt the white one too much either overall and would consider a purchase it if bidding didn't drive the price any higher.

Also, June 1991 here. ;-)
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I've been considering getting both and swapping the white dial into the hand winder and getting an actual amphibian dial for the other. The only thing that concerns me is the "B" logo on the dial of the white watch. I haven't seen that on any of the Komandirskie's of the period?

If you don't mind me asking where did you find that picture? Are there any others? Specifically of the movement itself?

I got a hold of the seller to ask if he knew the serial number or year the watch was made but he came back to me saying the watch didn't have a serial number so he did not know the exact year. Is this typical of these older Komandirskie's?

I'm considering getting it anyway as it's still a unique piece and I'll figure out a way to find out when it was made another time :)

Anyway thanks for the advice good to see someone else representing 1991 here with me ;)

Edit : just found a site called the "tickingrussian" the guys obviously a collector of Russian watches and he has the same white dialed one but also from a German seller... Not sure if that makes them both origional or both frankens... even more confused now! >.<

http://www.tickingrussian.moonfruit.com/#/vost-komandirskie-5/4513842989
 
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#28 · (Edited)
Discussion starter · #29 ·
OhDark30 said:
Hi frakkenprawn, check out my thread on tracking down affordable birthyear watches, lots of model ideas and tips for dating them
https://www.watchuseek.com/f71/affordable-birthyear-watch-ideas-926675.html
Want a helo watch? I'll sell you mine. Let me just check out postage

It's got one of Zenitar's replacement bezels - I'll include the original dotty one too
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That's fantastic, (Both the watch and the thread). PM me when you've figured out postage.

Any idea what year yours is from? (1991 would be first prize ;) )

I notice the crown of yours is at 3 o'clock that would mean it's the automatic Amphibia/Komandirskie crossover mentioned by Arizone correct?
 
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#30 · (Edited)
FrakkenPrawn said:
I've been considering getting both and swapping the white dial into the hand winder and getting an actual amphibian dial for the other. The only thing that concerns me is the "B" logo on the dial of the white watch. I haven't seen that on any of the Komandirskie's of the period?

If you don't mind me asking where did you find that picture? Are there any others? Specifically of the movement itself?

I got a hold of the seller to ask if he knew the serial number or year the watch was made but he came back to me saying the watch didn't have a serial number so he did not know the exact year. Is this typical of these older Komandirskie's?

I'm considering getting it anyway as it's still a unique piece and I'll figure out a way to find out when it was made another time :)

Anyway thanks for the advice good to see someone else representing 1991 here with me ;)

Edit : just found a site called the "tickingrussian" the guys obviously a collector of Russian watches and he has the same white dialed one but also from a German seller... Not sure if that makes them both origional or both frankens... even more confused now! >.<

i n t r o - tickingrussian.net
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The B logo is just Vostok's small logo, common on most of their watches somewhere or another. Like I said it's probably fine that the Amphibian has a Komandirskie dial, no cause for alarm there.

I took the picture from Michele Cuoccio's Russian Watches Website, which is where that other white one you posted is also from. Sadly there are no other examples.

At the time Vostok stopped printing 'made in' on their dials they also stopped using serial numbers altogether, which is the case of the two you posted. Even older Vostok's that have serials, we do not know if it's possible to find a date encoded in them.

That's great you found another example of that watch, although now you can see that one is a full Komandirskie, so maybe the Amphibian one is franken. You'll still never know unless you see another Amphibian one.

Edit: Regarding OhDark's watch it's a full on Komandirskie because of the case with the crown guards. It will have a hand-wound movement. Nothing Amphibian about it other than the modern bezel he put on it. It's extremely gracious he's offering it so I'd definitely swing it, it's a great watch.
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
Arizone said:
The B logo is just Vostok's small logo, common on most of their watches somewhere or another. Like I said it's probably fine that the Amphibian has a Komandirskie dial, no cause for alarm there.

I took the picture from Michele Cuoccio's Russian Watches Website, which is where that other white one you posted is also from. Sadly there are no other examples.

At the time Vostok stopped printing 'made in' on their dials they also stopped using serial numbers altogether, which is the case of the two you posted. Even older Vostok's that have serials, we do not know if it's possible to find a date encoded in them.

That's great you found another example of that watch, although now you can see that one is a full Komandirskie, so maybe the Amphibian one is franken. You'll still never know unless you see another Amphibian one.

Edit: Regarding OhDark's watch it's a full on Komandirskie because of the case with the crown guards. It will have a hand-wound movement. Nothing Amphibian about it other than the modern bezel he put on it. It's extremely gracious he's offering it so I'd definitely swing it, it's a great watch.
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Yeah after some more searching I noticed as much about the logo. Well I thought the picture looked somewhat familiar haha. It's a pity the info is so hard to find on these watches :/. Although their scarcity is half of the appeal so I guess I can't complain too much :p

Yeah from what I've seen the Vostoks of this era are so mix and match it's almost impossible to know whether or not it's a Frankenstein or an original Vostok design :/

I do plan on taking him up on the offer, even if we can't discern the year. I really like these watches so ill probably end up getting another watch for an actual birth year watch and just have these because I enjoy them :D

Sent from the whirlybird
 
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#33 ·
Neil C said:
Johnny, I'll let the slight pass! Here's my 7002 and what would you know, Serial# 171047 !

View attachment 1465853 View attachment 1465856
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Haha, no offence, it's a great watch... I just prefer the bigger cushion/turtle shaped 6309-7040 or the iconic asymmetric 6105-8110.

I mod most of my Seiko divers, so the 7002 is so much like a SKX007/009, that I'd rather use an SKX007/009...purely for ease of modding and parts availability.

Nice watch you have there, and FrakkenPrawn's exact birthday...if it's not a sentimental piece, maybe you can do a deal! ;-)
 
#34 ·
Oh jeez you wiser men are going to really look down on a birth year 94'...
I've been looking for a while actually, no luck though. I'm willing to wait and find that special peice later in life if need be.

Sent Via Keebler Elves In My Phone
 
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#37 ·
I'm with you searching for a birthyear watch (month (February) would be nice too), but it's only coming up Swatch and Rolex mostly. 1986, not a great year, apparently...I'm honestly open to anything besides Swatch and Rolex. I've seen a few other Russian watches, but they've not been in the greatest of shape. Oh well, the hunt continues (which is part of the fun!)
 
#38 ·
horvy04 said:
I'm with you searching for a birthyear watch (month (February) would be nice too), but it's only coming up Swatch and Rolex mostly. 1986, not a great year, apparently...I'm honestly open to anything besides Swatch and Rolex. I've seen a few other Russian watches, but they've not been in the greatest of shape. Oh well, the hunt continues (which is part of the fun!)
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Get a Seiko! (I'm biased as I'm a Seikoholic)

Look for a Seiko 6309 diver with a serial number starting 62xxxx that would indicate February 1986

NB: if looking at other Seiko models the first number-6 could be 66,76,86,96 etc so you'll have to verify that the model is an 80s model
 
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