Post your modified Vostok's

MotherTeresa

I did a search and found some threads on Vostok's but no dedicated thread for modified Vostok's. I know there are many modders of the Komanderski and Amphibia models. Personally I buy mine from Meranom, and use Ebay or Amazon to source the; bezels, dials, bracelets to modify them.
Please can you post what model Vostok it is with the picture; 420, 710, 090 etc.
And where you sourced the parts would also be helpful too. Thanks.
So here are 2 of my favourites from my collection to start things off.

090 from Meranom, bezel from AM Watches, Super Oyster bracelet from Strapcode.



090 and 420SE from Meranom, 420 SE bezel, dial, movement, transplanted into 090. Shark mesh bracelet from Ebay.

MotherTeresa

A nice simple one. 100512 from Meranom with an AM Watches bezel. I thought the blue second hand would work well with the blue bezel. This one was inspired by the Tudor Black Bay.

MotherTeresa

710 Scuba Dude from Meranom, Boris bezel from Ebay, green bezel insert from Ebay, Shark Mesh from Ebay.

MotherTeresa

This one isn't mine to be honest (I wish it was!) But it looks like a matt 090, with a Planet Ocean bezel from AM Watches.
It has inspired me to do my next one on the same 090 but with a polished case rather than matt. And a black/silver Planet Ocean bezel. I am still deciding on the bracelet, maybe a Super Oyster or Hexad?

peasant

Very tasty mods there...

I don't modify ...I have my people do it

These two 710's have been "modified" by Meranom with dials belonging elsewhere..the sub being a special customer jobby and the silver one from the 060 range.

I did however buy some different straps and stick them on :pac:

MotherTeresa

Lovely pieces. Thanks for sharing them. I didn't realise Meranom modded pieces.
I am hoping he will reissue the 420SE sandwich dials with chrome triangles.
Currently he only sells the plain ones (with no chrome) for 6 USD.
He is now selling more bracelets and bezels, and at fair prices.
The only bad thing is the 3 week delivery to Ireland typically, so sometimes I just get parts from Amazon and Ebay.
Vostok's are cheaper than modding Seiko SKX's which is what I used to do.

MotherTeresa

I was hoping this 420 would arrive today from Meranom. Hopefully it will come sometime this week as it's been 3 weeks since ordering. My plan is to transplant the dial and movement into the first 090 at the top of the page, as I want the date complication at 6 o'clock. I also have a green SE bezel ready to go on; as I think the green bezel with red numerals will contrast well. My inspiration for this was the 50th anniversary Rolex Submariner (with green bezel/black dial).

MotherTeresa

OK strictly speaking this one shouldn't really be in this thread as its a Casio.
But I want to show people that its possible to create a nice piece with modding on a low budget.
I like to call it a champagne watch for lemonade money.
OK its quartz not automatic, but it is rated to 200 metres so a proper divers watch. The build quality is very good for the price, with a screw down crown and case back; just like on much more expensive pieces. What I like is that most Seiko bezel inserts will fit.
The Casio Duro (MDV106) cost me 50 Euro from Amazon including import tax. The Planet Ocean bezel insert was 15 Euro on Ebay, and the hexad bracelet 10 Euro from Ebay. Personally I would have preferred it on a Super Oyster bracelet with curved end links (rather than the straight ones). But that would have increased the cost. I wanted to make a nice piece with a total budget of 75 Euro you see.
The same look can be achieved with most Vostok Amphibia's for under 100 Euro. This is why I prefer modding them to Seiko SKX's etc, it's cheaper to do; but one can still get a lovely piece at the end of it.

MotherTeresa

This one isn't mine. Its by a modder in Germany. I love the unique idea of making a strap from a basketball!
Also the orange/black Planet Ocean bezel insert is something different too. For anyone looking for one, Dagaz sells them for Seiko SKX modding (but they also fit Vostok bezels). I am planning on using that bezel insert myself on a piece.
The watch is a 110 model available from Meranom and Ebay if anyone wants one.

MotherTeresa

This next one is what I consider to be the Holy Grail of Vostok modding. Another one from Germany. The reason why I say Holy Grail is that the dodecagon (12 sided) bezel is not available for sale anywhere. Over the years Seiko and Panerai have done their own dodecagon bezels; but Vostok didn't. A modder called Nemi in Germany hand made his own to fit his Amphibia, and for a few friends. But sadly he doesn't make them and sell them (despite me begging him for one). However he did say that if he makes another few he will send me one. I consider the dodecagon bezel to be the ultimate for the Amphibia, especially on an 090 case.
On a positive note, the 110 watch shown is easily available from Ebay and Meranom. The shark mesh bracelet is also easily available on Ebay. For bezel inserts I can recommend; Dagaz (Google for his site), and dr_seikostain (Ebay), AM Watches (Ebay). For bezels I can also recommend boris_gvb (Ebay). I hope this helps any Vostok modders looking for parts to create a piece.

MotherTeresa

This one is my next project base. 65 USD from Meranom including delivery (typically 3 weeks).
For anyone that wants one the model number is 090661 (polished case) or 090661M (matt case). Be careful when ordering as both cases look very similar! Personally I prefer the polished case. This can also be brushed with Scotchbrite if one prefers a more matt finish. My plan is to fit a coin edge bezel from Boris (Ebay), and black/silver Planet Ocean bezel insert from Ebay.
The Super Oyster bracelet from Strapcode (Amazon) is nearly going to cost the same as the watch itself at 50 Euro. But trust me, the solid end links and screws rather than pins make it Rolex/Omega quality and worth the extra. The finish is 10/10.

peasant

MotherTeresa wrote: »

I didn't realise Meranom modded pieces.

This was in the days when choice of dials (that weren't impossibly garish) was very limited.
Meranom was quite happy to pair dials and cases that weren't on offer in that combination...didn't take that much longer either.

These days pretty much everything is available ex stock anyway (at least at some point in time) and I haven't seen any need to ask for any more specials...plus there are the SE models now.

thewintermute

Nothing fancy, just a diver that thinks it's a flieger.
110 case with plain polished bezel off the bay and a canvas two piece zulu.
Gets lots of time on the wrist as it's perfect with jeans.

Thirdfox

Here's one of mine (the foggy Amphibia) - got a new strap and see-through caseback for it.

Thought it now gives off a planet ocean kinda vibe:
20170506_175415 by Secondfox, on Flickr

To do that I removed the old shark mesh bracelet:
20170506_175335 by Secondfox, on Flickr

and plastic movement holder, caseback and old caseback retaining ring:
20170506_175331 by Secondfox, on Flickr

The new caseback is AR coated so looks red/blue/green depending on how the light hits it, the new caseback retaining ring suits the higher caseback quite well I think. Overall the watch is a bit thicker now but hey it's an orange + blue watch - it's meant to have presence!

20170506_175425 by Secondfox, on Flickr

20170506_175428 by Secondfox, on Flickr

This shot gives a good idea of how much extra thickness the caseback adds and also how the raised retaining ring looks:
20170506_175438 by Secondfox, on Flickr

edit: just to add that I bought all these items from Dr Seikostein on eBay - he does custom pieces for Seikos and Vostoks - though his casebacks are limited in production as the Russians have copied him so he might not be making any more once supply runs out. The caseback was quite a bit more difficult to fit on the back by the way, but I got there in the end.