Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
unixvova
193
May 4, 2018
It has Vostok 2431 movement, and that thing is notorious for crappy assembly, especially if movement was assembled in their Volokolamsk or Chistopol factories. Typical problems include uneven movement of seconds hand . It's a really lowbeat movement with 19800 bph, so accuracy is (officially) -10/+30 , and according to some sources -20/+60 (!!!!) It is the same movement that is used in low end watches by Vostok, like these : https://shop.vostok-inc.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=581 That's a 70$ price point. This watch is not worth 250$ , and definitely not 659$ For the same amount you can get Seiko or Orient, with better quality and accuracy.
LSNadon
82
May 4, 2018
unixvovaThanks for the info. I was interested for a minute, glad I saw your comments.
Alev
May 4, 2018
unixvova Vostok 2431 movements were never assembled at Volokolamsk factory. BTW there no OTHER Vostok factories, only Volokolamsk and Chistopol. Moreover, Volokolamsk factory was never assembling 31-32 jewels automatic movements.
SLO36
13
May 4, 2018
AlevSo can anyone give any insight on the accuracy of this movement? I've never owned a Vostok 2431 but this looks interesting enough to purchase. I can't find any reviews online for this watch or movement.
Alev
May 4, 2018
SLO36Accuracy mostly depends on a watch brand. All movements and watches which come directly from Chistopol plant will require an additional adjustment on a timegrapher. Vostok Reef, Red Sea and Black Sea and K-34 series of watches are usually adjusted already as well as movements in Vostok Europe watches. Adjusted movements usually have -5/+5 seconds a day variance. But you should remember that Vostoks were never designed with a purpose to keep perfect time. It is not a chronometer, it was designed as cheap and replaceable military watch which can take a lot of abuse and does not require a service every 3-5 years.
oppyland
68
May 4, 2018
unixvovaIt does seem like a lot compared to Vostok's own watch line. I just ordered an Amphibia(n) for <$70 with shipping. Granted it doesn't have the 24 hour movement, but it still has that interesting "Soviet" vibe.
unixvova
193
May 4, 2018
AlevYes, Vostok are cheap, throw away watches, that you will not be sorry to toss into garbage bin. But not for 250$ ...
SLO36
13
May 4, 2018
oppylandWell, Long Island is selling Sturmanskies for well into the $300s on sale. That makes this price look like a deal. I purchased a watch direct from China and it's one of my more accurate watches. I guess the conclusion here is to buy at my own risk.
SLO36
13
May 4, 2018
AlevUnderstood. At this price point, I'm just looking for a decent watch with at least -10/+10s accuracy. I'm only interested in this watch due to its historical brand and looks. The 24 hour sweep is cool too!
unixvova
193
May 4, 2018
SLO36Well, for the same price point you can get Seiko Cocktail Time from the same place... (for me that's a no brainer)
Alev
May 4, 2018
SLO36Then go for it! It will keep a good time, Moscow Watch Plant has pretty decent quality control so chance that you will get an unadjusted watch are pretty low, they do the preliminary adjustment and it should do it unless you live in magnetic anomaly zones, in this case you will have to do your own adjustment.
SLO36
13
May 4, 2018
unixvovaGotcha. Cocktail times are nice for sure! But this is $250 and much less than the Seiko.
SLO36
13
May 4, 2018
AlevI'm a watch newbie, so I don't know how to do my own adjustments. So far I've been lucky with my purchases and didn't need to adjust any of them.
Alev
May 4, 2018
SLO36I understand. To do a proper adjustment you need a tool called timegrapher. Good timegrapher costs at about $200.00 but it is possible to found it cheaper. It is a MUST for any watch collector nowadays, mostly because it is harder to find a certified professional watch repair master than 30 years ago. Most high-end watches with Vostok movements keep pretty good time without an additional adjustment but it is not the same with Vostoks which come directly from Chistopol - you may need to adjust the cheap ones.
SLO36
13
May 4, 2018
AlevUnfortunately, I cannot determine if this watch is from Chistopol. I do not have any Vostoks, so I guess I am safe.
Alev
May 4, 2018
SLO36I think you are safe with this watch at least. It is considered a high-end watch, and movements are usually go through additional inspection which includes adjustment to EMSFVA (Earth Magnetic Field Standard Value Average 0.47 gauss). And it is a good price too!
SLO36
13
May 4, 2018
AlevThanks for all your help!
oppyland
68
May 4, 2018
SLO36You may very well be right. I don't know the brand, maybe it is a great deal! Enjoy your new watch!
waywardson
95
May 10, 2019
unixvovaBruh thanks for the tips but the other brands you recommend maybe would be great if I gave a crap about 12hr movements but what the heck am I to do if I'm only looking for 24hr watch's (don't say glycine, that thing is disgustingly over sized)?