Ostwok Vostok Generalskie Review
On a Hirsch Trapper for a change of pace
On a Nilsen Bund
Here's a question for you. When is a Vostok not a Vostok. The answer-when it's an Ostwok. For those of you who are now scratching your heads, I'm quite serious. It seems that back in the mid 1990s a Swiss company was formed for the purpose of selling rebranded Vostok models to western customers. (See this thread on Watchuseek for more discussion). The company was named Ostwok and was in business from 1995 until roughly 2000. Their products were otherwise ordinary Vostok Komandirskie and Generalskie models except that the logo on the watch face was changed (See images above. That's not a Vostok logo). Otherwise, the Ostwok is a Vostok in all other respects. This particular model uses a Vostok 2414A stemwinder movement. It shipped with a typical Vostok leather band (which is to say a terrible watchband that I swapped for this leather bund strap). The packaging was a little nicer than a typical Vostok's and included a small catalog of the company's available selection (see above). All in all, the Ostwok is an interesting footnote in Russian watchmaking history. FYI, I got this one on ebay. Examples turn up there from time to time.
posted by Ed at 10:19 PM
12 Comments:
Very interesting!
Good to see another review, as always a pleasure.
JP
Many thanks :)
Ed, where did you get the leather band for it in the second picture? It looks like a leather cuff.
Ive got the same watch from my dad who was in russia back in the 80s.
Got it on the bay. Nilsen watch bands
Ed, you mean you got it here?
http://stores.ebay.com/Nilsens-Watch-Straps
Also, to confirm its this pic:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ji-UGwzEFWQ/Ssv7I7Pt3YI/AAAAAAAABm8/l5vxMUvQ9UQ/s1600-h/DSCN3610.JPG
Thanks, t
That's where I got it. Doesn't look like this exact model is in stock though.
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Hey Ed,
As always I very much enjoyed reading your article on these great russian watches. I just got yesterday a green KGB Amphibia(exactly like the third one from the left from the last of your photos, below) from e-bay. What can I say, it is fabulous. Of course I got lucky, because it was in mint condition, never worn, in original packaging and all... it even has the exact original brown leather strap on. I won't, though, say for how much I got it, since it was really a steal, considering the price in swiss francs on your photo.
I would like to add some info regarding Ostwok S.A., the company that, as you said, distributed russian Vostok's for the european market. From the information I gathered, it was founded by Daniel Schultheiss in 1995. Ostwok seems to have had tighter tolerances on the quality of the merchandise they selected from Vostok. They also inspected and regulated the movements before installing them in the case and finally putting the Vostok's for sale. With that in mind it seems that "Ostwok's" are, so to say, the premium Vostoks.
I would also like to congratulate you on fine selection of straps for your Vostok, I really like them. I too don't like the original strap, since it is bound a little bit rough on the wrist. For a replacement though, I think it would be more appropriate to get a steel bracelet. This what I'm tending to buy in the next couple of days:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Uhrenarmband-Edelstahl-22mm-modernes-Stahlband-Top-/270849155345?pt=DE_Mode_Accessoires_Uhren_Schmuck_Uhrenarmb%C3%A4nder&hash=item3f0fde2111
Keep on writing such interesting stuff!
Best Regards,
Rad
Interesting info. The Ostwok Generalskie is a bit more accurate than my other Vostoks so I suppose its possible. Wouldn't shock me to hear a Swiss entity was double checking their Russian watches extra carefully either.
Cool bracelet btw
i have 5 Ostwok watch to you know somebody who wants to buy them from me or are you inrested. All 5 are new and with boxes
Hi Ed, I have the full set of "11 Originals" Russian Military Watches from Ostwok in the original packaging (NIB). Two boxes, one containing 5 individually boxed watches and the other 6. Any idea as to the value of the set or who might be interested in purchasing?
Thanks in advance, Ed Anderson
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