Buying Online and Russian watches...

Fatbiker

Hi all,

Have been lurking on here for a few weeks. Watches are one of my weaknesses, always loved them. Have desired for many years to buy a 'quality' watch but have been somewhat disillusioned by the rise of generic quartz fashion watches. I also don't have the resources to 'waste' on a high quality make like Omega or Rolex, not to mention that I am woefully ignorant of the other quality makes though I have learned much on here.

To questions:
1. I buy online occasionally, mostly on Amazon, but yesterday I bought a 'new with tags, Sekonda Chronograph' for about half the RRP on eBay, from a private buyer with no history or feedback. How can I reassure myself that this is not stolen?

2. I have been smitten by the Russian watches, since coming across them on here, particularly Vostok. I am not too keen on a second hand watch, so have resorted to scouring Zenitar on eBay. I take it they are reliable sellers from what I have read here. My quandry is: are Vostok watches made since break up of CCCP equal in 'cachet' to the Soviet era watches. Many of them look a bit kitsch, with submarine logos etc, a bit Disney? I have narrowed my search down by price and appeal (to me) to these four:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RUSSIAN-MILITARY-VOSTOK-WATCH-0298-NEW-/190512706581?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2c5b713415
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RUSSIAN-VOSTOK-MILITARY-KOMANDIRSKIE-WATCH-861655-NEW-/190613402345?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2c6171b2e9
First two are daily winds and 'water resistant' which I take to mean no swimming. These two are automatic:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VOSTOK-RUSSIAN-AUTO-PARTNER-SERIE-WATCH-251079b-NEW-/120864123024?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item1c24102890
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RUSSIAN-VOSTOK-AUTO-AMPHIBIAN-DIVER-WATCH-0120c-NEW-/120814403530?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item1c21197fca

What do you think? I realise the second auto has a pic of a sub on it but I like it!:rolleyes:. Are the waterproof watches really waterproof?

Looking for any encouragement to take the plunge.

Fatbiker

PS: What is a 'beater'? Daily knockabout watch?

Bullseye1

I'll leave Peasant to advise you on the Russian Watches.

Your correct on the term beater. Its just a watch your not going to be worried about taking a few knocks while being worn mostly on a daily basis.

Niall0001

First of all the links you posted are delivered from the US so you may get stung for VAT, etc (can anyone else verify who knows more about these matters?). Second of all I wouldn't trust eBay with a barge pole after being severely ripped off a few months back on a sloppily-repaired smartphone that proved €200 down the drain.

Bound to be European retailers that would prove a better option. For example, they have your 1st item listed here at a similar price, free delivery & 2-5 working days to deliver.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004BAKOWY

Makes more sense.

Fatbiker

Niall0001 wrote: »

First of all the links you posted are delivered from the US so you may get stung for VAT, etc (can anyone else verify who knows more about these matters?). Second of all I wouldn't trust eBay with a barge pole after being severely ripped off a few months back on a sloppily-repaired smartphone that proved €200 down the drain.
.

Hi Niall, Sorry to hear you've been ripped off on eBay. I have purchased many items, from laptops to watches and other minor stuff from eBay without problem (fate being tempted now) but apart from a couple of Hong Kong based trinkets which should have been here by now, I've had no problem.

I was careless with the links. Zenitar is a Russian based company selling all across the world. I would be using a UK address for relatively low value items so I think I would take the chance. The watch you linked is not one of my choices but I will use the link you posted to check out that company, GMT. Cheers.

Cheers Bullseye. Will be interested in Peasant's view.

FB

peasant

On the Russians:

1) Never mind that 0.001 fella ...his only ever answer to any question is "Amazon"

2) ZENITAR and even more so MERANOM are official Vostok online re-sellers that support warranties and all. Other than long response and shipping times there are no known problems with either. For a good overview of all current models you can go to Vostok's website directly ...it's a pretty poor site though

3) the watches:
Your first two are from the Komandirskie series. These are chromed brass with handwind or auto movements, make sure you know what you're getting.
They are constructed to the same principle as the Amphibia diving watch but with bigger tolerances so they are waterproof (definitely) but not rated. I don't own a Komandirskie like that, so I can't comment further.

The third one I know nothing about other than what the descriptions say (The partner series ain't my style so I never bothered to investigate)

The last one is an Amphibia ...THE Vostok watch. These come in different case styles ...the one pictured, a round one and in a cushion shape so called Ministry case.
These are proper diving watches, constructed to a principle where the water pressure is used to tighten the seals. They are rated 200m, well made and really great value for money. The auto movements are generally reliable and pretty accurate and the famous wobbly crown is actually quite ingenious. Be advised that none of the Vostok movements hacks, nor do they have a date quickset (you have to go back and forth over 12 to quickly set the date) but they do wind by hand as well, which is useful.
With some patience you will pick up one where even the dial isn't too bad. Stocks and availability vary, so not every version (there are hundreds) is always available.
The only thing that's not so great about them is the bracelet ...it's folded sheet metal and eats your wrist hair. Most people replace it with something else. The ministry case has a 22mm lug width (heaven for strap changers) the other two are only 18 mm (limits the choice). Sometimes you can even get them on rubber or leather straight from the seller.


For dipping your toe into Russian watches I would wholeheartedly recommend something from the Amphibia range ...for the money you will not be disappointed.

I have bought 15 or so watches from Russia / Ukraine via Meranom and other e-bay sellers by registered post ...I'm yet to get stung by customs, (the watches are probably to cheap for them to bother ) it just takes weeks to arrive, that's all.

Fatbiker

Thanks all for the advice.

Further browsing has somewhat refined my taste, I think anyway. Finally settled on this one..http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RUSSIAN-MILITARY-AUTOMATIC-MECHANICAL-WATCH-VOSTOK-NEPTUNE-DIVER-200-METERS-/190645923188?_trksid=p5197.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26itu%3DI%252BUA%26otn%3D12%26pmod%3D190645348467%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6668759656084497955

Thought it looked a bit classier than my earlier selections. Now waiting on the Sekonda and this one. Have a bid on an Accurist Chronograph Yellow on fleabay. Must stop looking at watches.

Anyone recommend a good site for leather/rubber straps - reasonable quality but not too pricey?

peasant

Good place for straps/bracelets is here: http://www.watch-band-center.com/shop-watchstrap.html

As for your choice:
Nice watch ...but ...there is one issue. These "Neptune" watches come in a particular case that has different, non-standard lugs. Finding a replacement strap/bracelet is difficult and may involve bodging.

Fatbiker

peasant wrote: »

Good place for straps/bracelets is here: http://www.watch-band-center.com/shop-watchstrap.html

As for your choice:
Nice watch ...but ...there is one issue. These "Neptune" watches come in a particular case that has different, non-standard lugs. Finding a replacement strap/bracelet is difficult and may involve bodging.

Hmmm...I thought the strap fitting looked odd but figured there would always be a strap available! Heyho...ya lives and learns. Can't wait to get it. My wrists not that hairy anyway.

Fatbiker

Fatbiker wrote: »

Thanks .. Now waiting on the Sekonda and this one. Have a bid on an Accurist Chronograph Yellow on fleabay. Must stop looking at watches.
Anyone recommend a good site for leather/rubber straps - reasonable quality but not too pricey?

Hi. Sekonda arrived at last. Nice watch. Can't post pics yet. Strap too small and I didn't want to change it. Not really my style I feel. Gave it to son. Anyway, I am waiting for the Vostok and I have a bid on another Sekonda on fleabay, plus watching a Seiko divers on it also. Must stop looking at watches!:D

Wibbs

Fatbiker wrote: »

Must stop looking at watches!:D

That's what you get for coming to the forums and talking with Peasant really sealed your fate. You're infected now, just go with it.

Fatbiker

At last the Amfibia arrived. Lovely face and I am not as disappointed with the bracelet as I had feared I would be. Can't take/post pics yet but they are in my opening post. As I have thick wrists the strap is very snug so no hair pulling.

Now, a question for the experts: this watch has the unusual lug as pointed out by Peasant. What is this called and where might I find a replacement? Thanks, FB:D

Fatbiker

Bump

peasant

Peasant's been on holidays

(also I have no clue what that kind of lug setup is called (center lug??) or what its dimensions are)

sorry to have been of no help whatsoever

(you might try and search watchuseek's Russian watches forum for threads about "Neptune" cases and suitable straps)

Fatbiker

peasant wrote: »

Peasant's been on holidays

(also I have no clue what that kind of lug setup is called (center lug??) or what its dimensions are)

sorry to have been of no help whatsoever

(you might try and search watchuseek's Russian watches forum for threads about "Neptune" cases and suitable straps)

Ok, thanks anyway. I will keep looking. I am very pleased with the Vostok and I think my second Sekonda has arrived.
Hope you had a good holiday and it wasn't a watch buying jaunt!:D