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Thread: Vostok Amphibia mods

  1. #1
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    Vostok Amphibia mods

    Hello All!

    Being a fan of Russian watches anyway and after discovering a thread on Amphibia modding in a German forum (http://uhrforum.de/vostok-amfibia-modding-t172217), I've gone a bit bonkers for mods and bought a few Amphibias and an assortment of bits. The raw materials have started to arrive so that I can now present my first two Amphibia mods.

    Starting simple, both of these are bezel swaps.

    First up, a 100SE I've had for a while, pepped up with a Boris bezel and a Dagaz insert:


    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Second, a 090-case model improved vastly with an engraved (or etched?) bezel from pers164 on watchuseek:


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    I spent several grumpy hours trying to get the bezel on to the second one. Either it didn't go on at all or only with massive force but then being immovable. Eventually, I worked out how to bend the bezel wire and it now fits perfectly with just the right resistance to turning.

    I have some straps on the way (Natos aren't really my cup of tea, even though the gray/black one does look good on the 090), some more bezels and inserts and a load of ideas in my head, so more to come...

    Oh dear. Where is this going to end?

    Cheers,
    -wotsch
    Last edited by wotsch; 22nd February 2015 at 11:52. Reason: grammar

  2. #2
    Craftsman andamanen's Avatar
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    Someone on another forum removed the plating from one of the older models and ended up with a good looking brass watch with a nice patina developing.


  3. #3
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    Both look really good in your photos, are the movements noisy on these watches?

  4. #4
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Captainhowdy View Post
    Both look really good in your photos, are the movements noisy on these watches?
    Not really noisy at all. I have some far noisier Russian watches. I think the Amphibia cases are pretty solid and probably effective at absorbing any movement noise.

  5. #5
    Grand Master SimonK's Avatar
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    They do look good. Not bonkers at all.

  6. #6
    Master reggie747's Avatar
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    I'm liking that first one. It has quite a unique appearance, well done.

  7. #7
    Grand Master Glamdring's Avatar
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    I too particularly like #1. Never so keen on the arrow hands on #2 and so many other Vostoks. Good job on both though.

  8. #8
    Master
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    Superb looking mods and tastefully done, you can't beat an Amphibian.
    Marco-T is the guy on this forum for some great mods, he removed the chrome plating down to the brass.
    Thanks for showing.

  9. #9
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by reggie747 View Post
    I'm liking that first one. It has quite a unique appearance, well done.
    Quote Originally Posted by Glamdring View Post
    I too particularly like #1.
    Thinking about it, I think what makes it is that the 100SE is the model with the chromed second hand, so the silver bezel compliments the all-metal hands. There's no colour on it at all, so it looks more or less the same in black and white:


    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr

    -wotsch

  10. #10
    Master
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    Very nice mods. I particularly like the "Boris bezel". I need to get involved! :-)

  11. #11
    Craftsman
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    Loving the 0-90!

  12. #12
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    Great mods - was only thinking of replacing the bezel on my 120SE and found your thread! Need to have a closer look into this.

  13. #13
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    ...and another one

    This one was supposed to be the first one but it took longer than I could hold out for a case opener to arrive, so that the other two above jumped the queue.

    The base watch is this one, ordered from zenitar on the Bay:


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    After a swap to a matte case and another session comparing bezels, I surprised myself with the choice you see below. I hadn't expected a colourful bezel to match the dial, but it seems to work (at least to my mod-crazed mind). Rounded off with the right strap, is all seems to fit together. I hope you agree.


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    It even glows a bit.

    -wotsch

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by wotsch View Post
    This one was supposed to be the first one but it took longer than I could hold out for a case opener to arrive, so that the other two above jumped the queue.

    The base watch is this one, ordered from zenitar on the Bay:


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    After a swap to a matte case and another session comparing bezels, I surprised myself with the choice you see below. I hadn't expected a colourful bezel to match the dial, but it seems to work (at least to my mod-crazed mind). Rounded off with the right strap, is all seems to fit together. I hope you agree.


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    It even glows a bit.

    -wotsch
    That is VERY cool..

  15. #15
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Great photos of some nice work. This makes me want to pick up an Amphibia and try my hand. Anyone know of a source for no-date "scuba dude" dials?

  16. #16
    Master
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    I love that mod with a touch of orange..........very nice.

  17. #17
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    In case you're interested, here are some comparisons of the three Amphibias with different bezel combinations. I did these photos to help me compare and find my favourite. The left-hand photo in each is with the original bezel.


    Vostok Amphibia 100SE Comparison by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    -wotsch

  18. #18
    Master
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    Great comparison shots.
    Cheers.

  19. #19
    Craftsman workahol's Avatar
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    Bookmarked for future reference! Thanks much for the resource.

    The 100 case is the good one and the 110 case is the one that doesn't sit well on the wrist, isn't it? Or so I've read anyway. Still deciding on which one to go for, someday.

  20. #20
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by workahol View Post
    The 100 case is the good one and the 110 case is the one that doesn't sit well on the wrist, isn't it? Or so I've read anyway.
    I've avoided the 110 after reading this: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showt...php?p=84628680

    Although the 090 case is pretty good IMO, I think my favourite is the 100. My next project will probably by a 710, as I've not had one of those yet.

    -wotsch

  21. #21
    Master
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    I had a 110, loved the look of it but as said it wasn't great to wear, and to make matters worse it had 22mm lugs which made the watch look huge.
    Shame really.

  22. #22
    Master Marco-T's Avatar
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    Although the 110 case is a bit odd in shape, it's one of my favourites to wear.



    But the 100 case, is definetly the better one for the wrist


  23. #23
    Craftsman Diesel76's Avatar
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    Some lovely examples here. The original picture of the first watch is stunning.

  24. #24
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Marco-T View Post
    Although the 110 case is a bit odd in shape, it's one of my favourites to wear.



    But the 100 case, is definetly the better one for the wrist

    Nice mods Marco.

  25. #25
    Master
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    Some gorgeous watches on display here. Shows the versatility of the Russian watches. I must admit to fancying one with the orange bezel - a colour I had never considered before. That one is a beauty.

  26. #26
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Marco-T View Post
    But the 100 case, is definetly the better one for the wrist

    As I also mentioned over on the German forum, this one is really wunderbar!
    :-)

    -wotsch

  27. #27
    Master Kutusov's Avatar
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    Well, my only regular Amphibia ATM and small bezel mod...


  28. #28
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    A couple more...

    I still seem to have the modding bug and spent a good bit of today doing a couple more. No more than new bezels (both Murphy bezels) and straps on these two.

    The first one is a 100 cased Amphibia just in from Meranom.

    It started off like this, with an awful bezel and the horrible metal strap:


    Vostok Amphibia 100 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    There was a lot of to and fro with the decision for the bezel instert, with quite a few to choose from:


    Vostok Amphibia 100 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    I ended up choosing the Soxa insert. I'm not quite sure about this, but I think it comes off well with the grey ring complimenting the grey dial elements:


    Vostok Amphibia 100 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 100 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 100 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 100 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    The next one is a 100SE I bought from a member of a German forum. The bezel insert choice didn't take so long, although this one looks good with a lot of them:


    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr


    I really like the way this one turned out:


    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Hope like them.

    -wotsch

  29. #29
    Grand Master TaketheCannoli's Avatar
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    I think they're both excellent choices, well done.

  30. #30
    Journeyman slowprop's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kutusov View Post
    Well, my only regular Amphibia ATM and small bezel mod...

    That's very smart. You really can't go wrong with these watches.

  31. #31
    Journeyman slowprop's Avatar
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    I like them both Wotsch especially the second one. What a huge difference changing the Bezel makes.

  32. #32
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    A bit of a change for three of my mods. A round of bezel swaps, triggered by my being not quite happy with the proportions of the Soxa inlay in the Murphy bezel on the 100 case.

    Here's the 100 before:

    Vostok Amphibia 100 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    and after:

    Vostok Amphibia 100 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    Vostok Amphibia 100 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    This lead me to try the Soxa bezel on the 090 case with the same dial which, in my opinion, ends up with much better proportions than on the 100 case:

    Before:

    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    and after:

    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    And that lead to the pers184 bezel being free to go on my 100SE. Here before:

    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr

    and after:

    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr

    Vostok Amphibia 100SE by wotsch2, on Flickr

    A bit of fiddling around and it's like having three new watches.

    -wotsch

  33. #33
    Grand Master Velorum's Avatar
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    Looking very good indeed

    Ive never had the slightest problem changing bezels on a various 420's Ive owned - however the 090 that I fitted with a plain bezel this morning was a real bugger. It took the best part of an hour making slight adjustments to the retaining wire before it would go on. Well worth it though - these look ace with a plain bezel in my opinion.


  34. #34
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Velorum View Post
    Looking very good indeed

    Ive never had the slightest problem changing bezels on a various 420's Ive owned - however the 090 that I fitted with a plain bezel this morning was a real bugger. It took the best part of an hour making slight adjustments to the retaining wire before it would go on. Well worth it though - these look ace with a plain bezel in my opinion.

    Really suits the plain bezel, gives it a totally different look.

  35. #35
    Grand Master Velorum's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by barryw View Post
    Really suits the plain bezel, gives it a totally different look.
    Thanks Barry

    Oddly, its the only diver that I think looks OK on leather

  36. #36
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    Some of these look really good.

  37. #37
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Velorum View Post
    Looking very good indeed

    Ive never had the slightest problem changing bezels on a various 420's Ive owned - however the 090 that I fitted with a plain bezel this morning was a real bugger. It took the best part of an hour making slight adjustments to the retaining wire before it would go on. Well worth it though - these look ace with a plain bezel in my opinion.
    That does look fantastic.

    -wotsch

  38. #38
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    Always liked this one

  39. #39
    Grand Master Glamdring's Avatar
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    Re-reading this thread #1 would be the one I'd buy if it appeared on SC. I'm not so keen on the Vostok arrow hands.

  40. #40
    Craftsman Mcb2007's Avatar
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    [IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]They look transformed with a simple bezel change , some good work Wilf. Here's mine
    [IMG][/IMG]
    Last edited by Mcb2007; 12th April 2015 at 14:01.

  41. #41
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    I had some time today for another mod, the first one I've done with a blue dialled Amphibia. Here's the base 090-cased watch:


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    I ordered a chestnut bezel insert from Dagaz for this one, which landed on my doormat a couple of days ago. Although I wasn't sure whether it would suit the dial, on a boris bezel and paired with a brown strap, I think it's turned out rather well:


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    Hope you like this one,
    -wotsch

  42. #42
    Journeyman coldors's Avatar
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    Jesus. Super impressive.

    I wouldn't know where to start with modding but i'm going to go and have a read now, this old thing could be the one to start playing around with. I bought it cheap to find out more about this Russian watch thing.


  43. #43
    Grand Master Passenger's Avatar
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    Very nice.

  44. #44
    Some of these look amazing! I notice that they are mostly bezel replacements, which isn't surprising because the stock bezels are really the only thing that lets down the Vostoks (both the Amphibias and the Komandirskies). Is someone on the German forums selling bezels? I want a bunch of these, but I don't speak German unfortunately. I can definitely see me buying a few new Vostoks and modding them over the course of this year.

    I'm already experimenting with some mixing and matching to create my own frankenvostoks where I've got some (usually off eBay) that haven't turned out to be as good as I'd hoped, so they're effectively now a collection of spare parts, which I plan to restore/improve over time to teach myself watchmaking skills. The original inlaid bezels, which are relatively rare, can look quite good but they are also very poor quality: thin plated brass rather than steel. I usually won't want to put one on an otherwise good Amphibia, as it can end up looking worse than one of the basic painted steel ones.

    I found this one via Google just now: http://murphymanufacturing.com/vostok_bezels.html - Made of steel and accepts Seiko SKX007 inserts, which seems to be almost a de-facto standard for the modding community, so there should be plenty of options. Looks like some of these mods are using this, but there are some others too.

    Would be nice to have a bezel mod that includes a ratchet. Personally, I'd prefer a bidirectional ratchet: just something to keep an even tension and hold it in place after setting, since I wouldn't be planning on using any of my Aphibias for Scuba diving anyway. The tension tends to be a bit of a lottery: I have some that are perfect, some that are too stiff and some that are too loose.

  45. #45
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by robt View Post
    Some of these look amazing! I notice that they are mostly bezel replacements...
    Thanks! Yes, bezel swaps are easy to do and make a huge difference. I have something more ambitious cooking, but it's taking a while to get everything together.

    Quote Originally Posted by robt View Post
    ... Is someone on the German forums selling bezels? ...

    I found this one via Google just now: http://murphymanufacturing.com/vostok_bezels.html ...
    The bezels I have used are from Murphy (e.g. the first one in post #28 above), from an eBay seller called boris_gvb (e.g. in post #41 above), from a WUS member calls pers184 (the second one in the very first post above) and from am-watches in Germany (http://www.am-watches.com - e.g. the orange one in post #13 above).

    The Murphy bezels are the best quality, IMO, but the pers184 bezels are hand-made wonderful.

    The inlays on the Murphy and boris bezels are Seiko inlays from Dagaz (http://www.10watches.com).


    Quote Originally Posted by robt View Post
    Would be nice to have a bezel mod that includes a ratchet...
    Absolutely, but that would require some serious work on the case due to the way the usual bezels are fitted. I've never seen a mod with that done to it.

    Cheers,
    -wotsch

  46. #46
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    My favourite watch




  47. #47
    Quote Originally Posted by wotsch View Post
    The bezels I have used are...
    Thanks for the info. Looking forward to seeing your "ambitious" project in the future :)

  48. #48
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    Plain Murphy bezel on a 'Ministry' case...


  49. #49
    Grand Master Passenger's Avatar
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    That does look good.

  50. #50
    Journeyman wotsch's Avatar
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    Doxtok Mod

    Here's my latest project, an Amphibia mod based loosely on a Doxa 300T.


    Vostok Amphibia 710 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    This one took a fair bit of putting together. The dial and movement come from a 090 case:


    Vostok Amphibia 090 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    I put this into a 710 case, which is much closer to the Doxa case and which I had sandblasted for me:


    Vostok Amphibia 710 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    Also, the original Amphibia hour hand, with the arrow, had to be swapped with an hour hand from a Komandirski, to be more like the Doxa hands:


    Vostok Amphibia 710 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    The bezel is a Murphy bezel with a Soxa inlay from Dagaz:


    Vostok Amphibia 710 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    I'm very pleased with the sandblasted finish and the bloke who did it for me even sandblasted the crown:


    Vostok Amphibia 710 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 710 by wotsch2, on Flickr


    Vostok Amphibia 710 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    I'm chuffed with the way it's turned out:


    Vostok Amphibia 710 by wotsch2, on Flickr

    Hope you like it.
    -wotsch

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