Vostok AMFIBIA Automatic 39mm ‘Scuba Dude’ Watch Model: 420280

Unlike most dive watches on the market, Vostok AMFIBIA is Russian through and through!

Dating back to 1967, Amfibia was the first Soviet diving watch designed exclusively for its Navy.  Over 50 years later,  this unique timepiece employs the same technology, which relies on outside pressure to tightly seal its case.  As the watch gets submerged, the surrounding water pressure increases, which in turn seals and pressurises the case. The ingenuity of this design factored in distortion caused by increasing water pressure into the tolerance of the watch.

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Lifestyle Shop is an Authorised and EXCLUSIVE retailer of VOSTOK watches in Australia!

Specs & Features

Mechanism: Vostok 2416
Movement: Mechanical, Automatic, Shockproof
Power Reserve: 31 hours
Ruby jewels: 31
Water Resistance: 200m (20ATM)
Case: Stainless steel
Glass: Organic glass
Bracelet: Stainless steel.  NOTE - bracelet design may differ from the one in the photo, depending on the version provided by Vostok Russia
Lug size: 18 mm
Service Life: 10 years
Case diameter (approx): 39 mm measured without crown
Case thickness (approx): 12 mm
Manufacturer's Warranty: 12 months

Lifestyle Shop is an exclusive distributor of the Vostok watch brand, in Australia.  Be wary of eBay replicas and grey imports. If you choose to own an iconic timepiece, purchase one from an Authorised retailer to ensure it is an authentic one!

Our Notes

Vostok AMFIBIA or a Vostok SCUBA DUDE, as it is nicknamed by collectors and enthusiasts, is one of the most widely collected dive watches.  Often described as ‘quirky’, these offbeat dive watches are infused with history and personality.

Serving as a testament to its innovative engineering and an example of the Soviet-era industrial design, this watch is tough, functional and somewhat unrefined. 

If you're expecting a faultless high polished casing with exquisite detail and swiss-like precision, than Vostok ‘Scuba Dude’ is not the watch for you and you’d be better off looking at a more premium range, such as AMFIBIA Red Sea. However, if you’re after an iconic timepiece that is built like a tank, can submerge 200m below sea level or used as a bulletproof shield, then just press ‘Add to Cart’ now and join the cult!

There aren’t many watches that have polarised collectors and enthusiasts as much as Vostok ‘Scuba Dude’.  While we’re going to list some of our pros and cons, it should be noted that this watch is something that either speaks to you or it does not.

Pros:
• Iconic and collectable timepiece
• Unique and distinctly “Vostok” design that will stand out on your wrist
• 200m water resistance rating
• Solid construction & Shockproof
• Mechanical, in-house assembled movement with 31 jewels and 31-hour power reserve
• Multitude of genuine and cheap aftermarket accessories for customisation.

Cons:
• The lume is average
• The bezel is bi-directional and spins smoothly in either direction 
• Metal bracelet is bad and we’re going to go out on a limb suggesting that it should be replaced with a NATO, Zulu or silicon two-piece strap
• Organic glass while prone to scratches is virtually shatterproof 
• Accuracy somewhere around +25 / -30 seconds out of the box, however, could be easily calibrated
• Once unscrewed, the crown feels wobbly. This, however, is a purposeful design element that improves the shock resistance and durability of the winding mechanism.

In summary, we love the quirkiness and charm of the ‘Scuba Dude’ and as such easily overlook its faults.  It is a proven mechanical timekeeper with a rich history, rugged construction and a 200m water resistance. For the price, it completely blows any of its competitors out of the water!

About Vostok Watches

Founded in 1941, at the height of WWII, Vostok Watch Makers Inc. remains the official supplier to the Russian Ministry of Defence .

A brand with a rich history and well deserved reputation for durability and reliability in the toughest conditions, Vostok are best known for their rugged military and diver mechanical watches.

‘Komandierskie’ which translates as a Commander’s watch were launched in 1965. Sold exclusively to army officers, these watches were in high regard for their reliability and practicality in the field.

In 1967, Vostok designed their first ‘Amfibia’ divers' watch that was manufactured exclusively for Soviet Navy.

By the 1970’s, Vostok watches were being exported to 54 different countries across the Globe.

In 1975, a Soviet cosmonaut Georgy Grechko wore the Amphibia watch during the Soyuz 17 mission to the Salyut 4 space station, which skyrocketed brand’s popularity around the globe.

In 2004, Vostok were commissioned to design a customised version of Amfibia watch for Bill Murray to wear in ‘The Life Aquatic’ movie where he portrayed the character of an eccentric oceanographer, Steve Zissou.

Today, Vostok is one of the very few brands with an in-house manufacturing. Remaining true to their founding principles, Vostok continues to impress with their durability, practicality and style that pays homage to its rich history.  Many of their models have become cult classics among watch collectors from all around the world.