New arrival, Scuba dude.

[snootydog]

Picked this up, box papers, original bracelet still wrapped and a new black strap. It's 7 months old so still under warranty. I've been looking at these Vostok watches for a while and I took a fancy to the Scuba dude dial and cushion case.
Now, I'm not sure what to make of the history of these now I've handled it. Allegedly designed for the Russian military? Non clicking bezel, that hardly sounds sensible for military use, not even very useful timing marks on the bezel and generally very poor quality for even the Russians. What the Russians are good at is telling bullshit, so i call BS on the history of these watches.
However, I like it, it cost less than the bracelet I put it on and everyone needs a Vostok in their collection at some point and these can be modded easily so maybe a different bezel will go on it at some time. You can't even quick set the date on these, luckily I don't mind that, I can't really see the date on my watches these days

[deepcdvr]

I’ve always wanted to try one of these - that exact model.

Thanks for the mini review; cool watch for sure.

[matt009au]

Looks great Snootydog. Love that configuration and it rocks on the mesh.

Are these stainless cases or coated brass?

Agree that the back and forward between 9pm and 3am to set the date can be a bit tedious...

Makes me want to dig out my old komandirskie, haven't seen it for a few years but I'm sure it is around somewhere.

[mattcantwin]

Congrats; I've come close to buying one a number of times.

[snootydog]

Are these stainless cases or coated brass?

These are steel cases, not coated brass. Crazy cheap watches, they are on eBay direct from Russia from a few trustworthy sellers at $67 brand new. All the YouTube reviews say the bracelet although good looking and usable are pretty much tat so I guess that's why the bracelet for mine is still wrapped in its plastic.
All in all, for $67 you can't go wrong

[AtomicTom]

Looks pretty fantastic from here Andy, and like you said for the price,
you can't go wrong. Just that beautiful mesh cost more than
the watch which is really amazing. Oh, and by the way, what a great
addition to the watch ! It honestly adds another extra cool level
to an already cool watch sir.

Like you are saying, just like with that mesh, you can change things
up with bezels too. So the possibilities are endless. Great get Andy !
Big congratulations to you here !!!

[HapaHapa]

Looks great on mesh

[jeckyll]

I always wanted to pick one up. Looks good, hope you enjoy it!

[Steve O.]

Love those Scuba Dude Vostoks. Can't really comment on if for genuine military use, but I believe that the models produced in the 1960's and early '70's may have been. On another note, the original massive Zlatoust divers of the 1950's and '60's were definitely military, used by Russian frogmen. Copies of these watches are still produced today, and are often misrepresented as military.




Image lifted from the web.

[toxicavenger]

they are cool shitty watches. I like them for the price. enjoy it

[HapaHapa]

This reminds me that I have a Vostoc or Boctoc or whatever in a drawer or box... somewhere ... that doesn’t keep time and the date change is jacked up. Probably not worth it to fix when new is $70 or so.

[CarloDWC]

The Vostok Scubadude was one of my first mechanical watches, that and a pilot style from Poljot. Sadly both broke down and had to be sent back to Russia, the good news is that both were repaired for free and sent back to me within a month or so.

I long since traded them but they are definitely interesting and not bad looking.

[rafy11]

Very nice blue dial I like it!!

[rick]

Nice one Andy.
Hate the bracelet

[Albatross]

I've had many Vostoks that I had modded over the years, mostly vintage pieces from the 70s and 80s. Yeah, the quality cannot even come close to Swiss, no matter what kind of a story they spin. If you are thinking of modding it, check out dr. seikostain on ebay. He usually has some interesting bezels and inserts for these.

[BramleyGreg]

Nice piece Andy mate!

I have a Russian piece in my collection too.






I have had 100 quid by way of gift voucher deposited in my Amazon account here lately for my birthday (where was my "Happy Birthday greeting on here my friend)

That should snare me a decent Amphibian... you have me ready to go look now.

Enjoy mate!