[olekseiswatch]

Hello,

First post to the forum though I have always been a lurker. I have recently copped a VOSTOK 650841 and absolutely LOVE it. Love it so much that I want to make it better, upgrade it and keep it forever, and make it an heirloom item. Problem is I have no clue with what I am doing and the furthest my watchmaking skill took me is to replace the band

Here are some ideas of what I want to do:

-Replace the bracelet, its light and feels tin-like. I bought a stainless one on amazon, but if you have suggestions of a better one please post
-Replace the Crystal to a flat one and add an IR coating, even considering getting a Rolex crystal and maybe cutting it down to size... I just dont know if its going to hurt the waterproof rating (200m is really good imho)
-Replace the movement. I need this watch to take a beating and be reliable as hell and be +/-0 seconds. Even considering old-ish Rolex movements (not even joking) if it will fit. Being in the military reliability and accuracy is paramount (I am in the US Military, so its ironic that this is my daily) again, unsure what it will do to the waterproof rating
-Replace the bezel insert to either red or black, or red and black GMT type of bezel insert
-Replace or reinvigorate (?) the lume, the lume dont last as long imho
-Replace the crown to another type of metal

Any other thing you might suggest? Or am I changing the watch too much that its no longer a Vostok?

Thank you so much!

 

[Bandido]

Hi, everything you've planned to do with this watch will lead you to some Seiko Samurai for 700 USD.
If you want Komandirskie, replace the bracelet, ask the master to adjust the accuracy and enjoy. Strict IMHO, though.

 

[Fergfour]

I love Vostoks as much as the next guy but I would never consider putting a grand of mods into one turning it into something unrecognizable. If you want Russian, with sapphire, good water resistance, etc, perhaps spend some of your budget on a Raketa Amphibia?

 

[JonS1967]

Welcome to the forum! IMHO, a big part of the charm (and the waterproofing) of a Vostok is the plexi crystal. These watches have unique engineering that increases water resistance deeper you go because the crystal actually compresses under the pressure. And the movements can be very accurate and tough. I’ve now had two Rolexes (a Submariner and a GMT) just stop ticking on me. My Vostoks have actually faired better overall. Plus, if you have an issue with your Vostok it’s easy to replace the movement for little cost. I would recommend making some fun mods for $100 give or take and looking for something different for a second watch if you really want a sapphire crystal. Just my thoughts.


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[Matt_Bored_O]

.

• sapphire crystal installed into a bezel or bezel insert = possible but zero water resistance
• sapphire crystal glued across top opening of case (on ledge of original crystal) = possible but reduced water resistance and crystal will sit much below top of tall bezels.
• movement: difficult to find a movement with similar dimensions to allow stem to align and dial to sit at correct height. Original Vostok crown has clutch system so it MUST be attached to the stem of a new movement by cutting and joining. Possible if you have the skills.
• all Vostok crowns are stainless. Which metal did you want?
• re-lume: favinov on ebay sells Vostok dials and hands that have been re-lumed with excellent quality SuperLuminova. High quality work and many good recommendations in this forum.

- for greater reliability of Vostok automatic movement: you must completely disassemble, clean, lubricate with good quality lubricants and reassemble. One of the main problem with these movements is poor quality lubrication or lack of it on certain parts. Most folks who service a new movement usually have fewer to no problems with good accuracy and longevity.
.

 

[Rista]

You can get a solid link bracelet with fitting end links for 650 case from Meranom. Replacing the crystal and the movement is going to be very tricky, other stuff is doable.

 

[olekseiswatch]

I love Vostoks as much as the next guy but I would never consider putting a grand of mods into one turning it into something unrecognizable. If you want Russian, with sapphire, good water resistance, etc, perhaps spend some of your budget on a Raketa Amphibia?

OMG I didnt know about Raketa! I like everything about it except the orange accents

You can get a solid link bracelet with fitting end links for 650 case from Meranom. Replacing the crystal and the movement is going to be very tricky, other stuff is doable.

Is it the same quality as this? Because right now its not very solid

 

[Sayan]

If you want to spend $1000-1500 on Vostok, you better buy a different watch. Majority of us spend $50-$150 on modifying Vostok. I got into modding and collecting Vostok a few years ago, currently have about 40 of them. So i have gathered some experience for the last few years. Please see my answers below:

-Replace the bracelet, its light and feels tin-like. I bought a stainless one on amazon, but if you have suggestions of a better one please post
Meranome has a good 20mm bracelet with end links. If you want to buy a different bracelet i could advise to look at beads of rice 20mm bracelet here AMEXICA Beads of Rice Stainless Steel Metal Watch Band 20mm | eBay

-Replace the Crystal to a flat one and add an IR coating, even considering getting a Rolex crystal and maybe cutting it down to size... I just dont know if its going to hurt the waterproof rating (200m is really good imho)
Buy another watch, please. Not worth the time and money.No one will do that for you.

-Replace the movement. I need this watch to take a beating and be reliable as hell and be +/-0 seconds. Even considering old-ish Rolex movements (not even joking) if it will fit. Being in the military reliability and accuracy is paramount (I am in the US Military, so its ironic that this is my daily) again, unsure what it will do to the waterproof rating have

Buy another watch, please, even cheap quartz watch should have a better accuracy than automatic non chronometer movement.+/- 0 is too much to ask from Vostok movement.

-Replace the bezel insert to either red or black, or red and black GMT type of bezel insert
It will be easier to buy another bezel, than just replace bezel invert on your current one. Meranome has those 24hour bezels. Bezel Vostok

-Replace or reinvigorate (?) the lume, the lume dont last as long imho
If you want to use the same dial with the better lume, you should definitely update the lume. It might cost you depending who you hire. Unless you speak Russian and use a master in Russia who could do, it might cost you $70-100.Or simply buy a dial from with better lume from eBay.

-Replace the crown to another type of metal
You already have a good crown. No need for replacement.

 

[dfwcowboy]

I suspect replacing the crystal will destroy the WR. Better to start with one of the 1967 reissue watches that already have a sapphire crystal. Assuming you could somehow manage a non-Vostok movement retrofit, WR shouldn’t be an issue. If accuracy was as critical as you’re saying, then quartz would be the obvious option. If you take out the Vostok movement, what you wind up with will not be a Vostok. A good watchmaker could transform a standard Vostok movement into something more accurate. I get that people like to throw money into projects for no good reason, but I have yet to see anyone form a persuasive argument as to why they need more accuracy from a mechanical watch than a stock Vostok can provide. The beauty of Vostok is they build an ugly watch that is adequate in every way and built like a Russian tank.

 

[Rista]

Is it the same quality as this? Because right now its not very solid

No, it is noticeably better and has fitting end links.

I like your enthusiasm but this project seems overly ambitious Wouldn't really be a Vostok anymore either.

 

[Dave_Hedgehog]

-Replace the movement. I need this watch to take a beating and be reliable as hell and be +/-0 seconds. Even considering old-ish Rolex movements (not even joking) if it will fit. Being in the military reliability and accuracy is paramount...

No movement will be +/-0 seconds, especially a mechanical one. Rolex will get nowhere near this either.

If accuracy is paramount you should really be looking at HAQ (High Accuracy Quartz) watches, I think the best of them can get to about +/-5 seconds per year:

High Accuracy Quartz watches

Forum dedicated to high accuracy quartz watches

www.watchuseek.com

 

[Atlantia]

You've got a lovely Komandirskie. I've recently got the black face version with the red star at 12.

I agree with the above posts. So here's plan B.
By the time you've bought it a few straps and bezels, you are already looking at those other Vostoks that were short-listed before you bought this one.
That leads you to planning multiple little projects for simple mods on a few watches....
Then you start into the whole... Shall I build one from parts and have something totally bespoke?

You can have half a dozen and still be within your budget.

lol, I absolutely love mine too!

Vostok Komandirskie 650537 Automatic 200m Review

I've wanted a Vostok for some months now and finally decided to start out with this rather lovely Komandirskie 650537. If you haven't got one of this range of Komandirskie/Amphibia hybrids, you might find my experience interesting. First a mention for the seller. I bought this one from a...

www.watchuseek.com

 

[jimzilla]

I be leave we have a noob with a terminal case of Russian watch fever. I will help you comrade olekseiswatch.
First ....... relax, do some deep breathing, maybe make yourself a couple of peanut butter and radium sandwiches.
Realize that you have just stumbled into the amazing hobby of Russian watches and as a bonus the members here are some of the coolest, most knowledgeable people you will find anywhere on the planet to help you with any questions or problems you may have. So do some research and gain knowledge so you know what path you want to take with your watch hobby. Welcome to the F10 comrade olekseiswatch. best regards, James.

 

[jring]

Hi,

first of all, welcome to watchuseek and especially to f10!

As for your ideas:

- bracelet - by all means get a better one. The Universal Metal Bracelet or the Mesh Bracelet offered by Meranom are quite ok. Or of course any fitting other one you fancy - your case does not need special end lugs.

- crystal - not really makes sense as other have pointed out. If you want to have a classic amphiba or komandirskie better get to like domed acrylic. Some love those watches specifically for that retro crystal!

- movement - as has been mentioned +-0s is not possible for mechanical watches. And putting a different brand movement into an existing case is going to be a very long search for one that might fit or at least can be changed to fit (by a skilled watchmaker) followed by a long workshop stint which most probably will include turning a new movement holder and getting the special Amphibian stem and crown to fit. Your budget might not be sufficient for that alone.
If you require absolute precision, get a good quartz watch, a DCF77 radio controlled watch if you get deployed to Europe or a GPS watch (preferably non-smart for opsec reasons), which will also help you navigate.

- bezel - very possible, not sure why you would want a 24h bezel on a 12h only watch, but that's me... I do have several Vostok 24h models, one has a coke bezel (and the other a batman one). In case you are interested look for watches with the 2426.12 (GMT hand and sub second) or 2431.01 (24h with central second - you have to learn to read a 24 watch for this) movement variations on Meranom. The 2432.01 does offer 24h too but in the form of a day-night indicator complication with 24h markings, but a 24h bezel for a second TZ is not possible there.

- Lume - very possible - ebay has quite some options for replacement dials and hands for Amphibia with superluminova. Of course, if you are talking about special models like the 24h ones, you might need a custom job.

- crown - as has been pointed out, Amphibian has a stainless crown nowadays (and Komandirskies with a stainless case and 200m rating are essentially Amphibians). The Amphibian wobbly crown is one of its special design features and replacing it with a generic aftermarket one is difficult and will make the watch more susceptible to shock.

Joachim

 

[olekseiswatch]

Ahh ok thank you all for your input regarding my mods and the realism of it. And yes I am a noob with a mod fever too, trying to make this watch mine if that makes sense. I also should have stated that I am trying to be as minimalist as I can, so I want just one watch and I need it to last for life. I dont know, but maybe I miss living off of one foot locker and one duffel bag .

What really drew me to these watches is how rare and unique it is. But as you all mentioned above it may not be a Vostok anymore if I change too much. Maybe I should only replace it with parts from Vostok? Which I find to be challenging since a lot of their stuff are out of stock in Meranom and also they dont have a website.

I did replace the bracelet with a heavier stainless steel from amazon (pic attached), it feels better but it does not feel right (if that makes sense) so I ordered an diver style bracelet, from amazon again. Even ordered a NATO bracelet (for world peace)

As of right now it is 30 seconds in advanced and with the non-hacking, I am waiting for it to lose time and maybe have a watchmaker regulate it.

LOVE LOVE LOVE! This watch! Looks great paired with a black leather jacket.

 

[olekseiswatch]

- bezel - very possible, not sure why you would want a 24h bezel on a 12h only watch, but that's me... I do have several Vostok 24h models, one has a coke bezel (and the other a batman one). In case you are interested look for watches with the 2426.12 (GMT hand and sub second) or 2431.01 (24h with central second - you have to learn to read a 24 watch for this) movement variations on Meranom. The 2432.01 does offer 24h too but in the form of a day-night indicator complication with 24h markings, but a 24h bezel for a second TZ is not possible there.

Thanks for your welcome, nice watches!

I just want it as a feature but dont want another watch, I jump around timezones a lot too, something for utility. Cant decide if it will look good with a red text on white bezel or the black and red one. hmmm

Also the hands is something I am looking into to change (sword hands!)

 

[olekseiswatch]

I be leave we have a noob with a terminal case of Russian watch fever. I will help you comrade olekseiswatch.

haha thank you and yes! But for the life of me, I cannot do mods myself as I have the delicate touch of a Grizzly Bear so I'd have to pay someone a lot of $$$ to make this watch bespoke

 

[Chascomm]

I just want it as a feature but dont want another watch, I jump around timezones a lot too, something for utility.

So when you said 'GMT type of bezel' you meant one with 12 hour markings?

 

[SuffolkGerryW]

haha thank you and yes! But for the life of me, I cannot do mods myself as I have the delicate touch of a Grizzly Bear so I'd have to pay someone a lot of $$$ to make this watch bespoke

It's not difficult to make a 'bespoke' Vostok or Komandirskie - I have one, and several others on the F10 have as well, (some more than one! Have a look in the modding thread for ideas) yes, I did mine myself (and I'm more used to working on engines, and anything that needs smaller than 12mm/half inch spanner/wrench is small!), but there may well be someone on here that might do it for you for a small amount and regulate it to 'as good as it'll get' (mine runs at about 30 spd - I've not got a timeographer to set it any closer, so it was done by adjust, run, adjust, run until I was happy with it).

 

[olekseiswatch]

So when you said 'GMT type of bezel' you meant one with 12 hour markings?

Idk if I am confusing the terms but this. If only it came with just a red bezel instead of red and black