[pwalsh21]

FINALLY. This was magnificent! Thank you so much for getting this out! I've done my part--I bought a Ministry Amphibia not 2 months ago from Zenitar. Everyone get off your butts and get yourself a new Vostok!

 

[pwalsh21]

I'm sorry, but after this

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Does Vostok produce the watches „Troika"? No.
Is it true that Vostok is in difficult financial situation? Yes, and the reason is the non-payment by russian consumers.
What is more advantageous for Vostok as a company, the drain abroad of the watches manufactured for the domestic market or direct deliveries abroad? Direct deliveries.
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do you still think it is wise to support Vostok in such a way?

Yes, and I'll tell you why. I think Vostok is happy to move product in any way they can, especially internationally. Further, I know Zenitar/Victor gets his watches direct from Vostok, and I doubt seriously that he could have been in business with Vostok long enough to move 10,000+ watches on eBay (not to mention what he sells in his physical shop) without paying Vostok, so he almost certainly doesn't fall under the second point.

In any case, my ultimate goal is to purchase a watch. If I can help Vostok, terrific, but that is absolutely secondary. Zenitar/Victor fulfills my needs as a consumer--his prices are competitive and his customer service is excellent. As I stated above, I cannot IMAGINE he's a nonpayer, but even if he is, that's *his* problem with Vostok, not mine. I order the watch, I get the watch, and I'm consistently satisfied with the transaction, which fulfills my ultimate goal.

 

[pwalsh21]

OK, may be you are right, but what about the Troyka watches?
They are legit?

I wasn't referring to the Troika watches, but to expand on that, I guess we would have to define what you mean by "legit". If "legit" means "manufactured by Vostok", are VE watches "legit", considering they use Vostok movements but are assembled in Lithuania by a different company? If they ARE "legit", then I guess Troika watches are too, because they seem to use Vostok movements. For me, I don't know much more about Troika, but I'm not a fan of their watch designs, so that would keep me from buying one (though if I did, I'd still be supporting Vostok by buying a watch with one of their movements inside). I do like a lot of VE stuff, though, and own one VE watch. I don't consider it Russian, though it does have a Russian heart, and I love the watch either way.