The must-have Macro Loupe for all watch lovers

An exotic, atypical watch without any pretension that I wear from time to time. The dial is rotated 60° allowing the driver holding the steering wheel at 10:10 to view the dial with the 12-6 o'clock axis in the axis.
Otherwise, it is very simple, two hour, minute and small second hands with manual winding. It is also the occasion when I wear it, I must admit, to get "noticed" and to start a discussion when someone notices the particularity.

original pilot watch...russian

Founded in 1942 in Chistopol, Russia, Vostok is an iconic watchmaking company, recognized for its robust and reliable mechanical watches. Its history is closely linked to the industrial and military evolution of the Soviet Union, and its creations continue to appeal to watch enthusiasts around the world.
<h3 dir="ltr">Origins and History</h3>
The history of Vostok begins during the Second World War, when the Moscow watch factory was evacuated to Chistopol to escape the advancing German forces. Initially, production was oriented towards military equipment. It was only after the war that the factory began manufacturing watches for the general public. The name "Vostok", meaning "East" in Russian, was adopted in 1963, probably in reference to the Soviet Vostok space program, which marks the beginning of the USSR's conquest of space.
In 1965, Vostok became the official supplier of watches to the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union. This collaboration led to the creation of the famous "Komadirskie" (meaning "Commander") series, specially designed for military officers. These watches were subject to rigorous quality controls and were exclusively available in stores aimed at military personnel.
<h3 dir="ltr">Iconic Models</h3>
Among Vostok's flagship models, two series particularly stand out:
Vostok Komandirskie : Launched in the 1960s, this series was initially intended for the military. Komandirskie watches are renowned for their robustness and functional design. They often feature dials illustrated with military motifs, such as red stars, tanks or submarines. Equipped with reliable mechanical movements, these watches are designed to withstand the most demanding conditions.
Vostok Amphibia : Introduced in 1967, the Amphibia series is specially designed for divers. These watches are characterized by their water resistance of up to 200 meters, made possible thanks to an innovative design of the case and the seal. Amphibia are valued for their durability and ability to operate in hostile underwater environments.
<h3 dir="ltr">Innovation and Know-How</h3>
Vostok is recognized for its expertise in mechanical movements. The company produces its own calibers, which it also supplies to other watch brands. This internal control of production guarantees constant quality and proven reliability of its watches. Vostok movements are renowned for their simplicity, robustness and ease of maintenance, essential qualities for watches intended for intensive use.
<h3 dir="ltr">Expansion and Partnerships</h3>
In the early 2000s, Vostok joined forces with the Lithuanian company Koliz to create the brand Eastern Europe. This joint venture aims to offer watches with a modern design, while integrating Vostok's proven movements. Although distinct from the parent brand, Vostok Europe benefits from the Russian company's heritage and know-how, while targeting a Western market with contemporary designs and innovative materials.
<h3 dir="ltr">International Recognition</h3>
Vostok watches have gained worldwide fame, not only for their quality, but also for their rich history and connection to significant events. For example, after Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the Pentagon rewarded allied soldiers with a special edition of the Vostok Amphibia, commemorating their participation in this campaign. Additionally, Vostok watches have been worn by Russian cosmonauts during space missions, attesting to their reliability in extreme conditions.
<h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>
With more than 80 years of history, Vostok has established itself as an important player in Russian watchmaking. Its commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability has allowed the brand to stand the test of time and adapt to market developments. Today, Vostok watches continue to seduce with their singularity, their robustness and their timeless design, delighting collectors and watch enthusiasts around the world.
(Updated February 2025)

In the world of watchmaking, some watches stand out for their history and robustness, and my Vostok 2416/05741098 is a perfect example. Powered by the 2416B caliber, this watch embodies the excellence and durability of Russian Vostok watches, renowned for their strength and reliability.

Design and Aesthetics: My Vostok 2416/05741098 is an aviator-style watch, characterized by an imposing 48 mm stainless steel case, water-resistant to 10 ATM. Its robust and functional design, faithful to the tradition of Soviet military watches, ensures an imposing but comfortable presence on the wrist. The dial, with its luminous indexes and distinctive hands, offers optimal readability even in low light conditions.

Movement and Precision: At the heart of this watch is the 2416B caliber, an automatic movement renowned for its reliability and strength. With a power reserve of approximately 31 hours, this movement ensures satisfactory precision and durability, even in harsh environments.

Features: My Vostok 2416/05741098 is equipped with a date function, positioned between 4 and 5 o'clock, adding a practical dimension to this pilot's watch. It has an imposing crown and is water resistant up to 10ATM.

Comfort and Versatility: The thick leather strap with white stitching perfectly complements the case, offering optimal comfort and increased durability. The watch is suitable for both daily use and more extreme conditions, making it a versatile watch.

Conclusion: My Vostok 2416/05741098 is a good choice if you are looking for a robust and imposing watch in the world of pilot's watches, faithful to the heritage of Russian Vostok watches.

Vostok: Tradition and Robustness

I present to you my first mechanical watch that was given to me when I was 13 by my grandfather. It comes from East Berlin, a few months after the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989. It was on a military surplus market that the watch was purchased. It is a real Tank, both the case and the movement. It is an automatic watch, with a screw-down crown, a rotating steel bezel, bi-directional. There are tritium dots on the indexes. It still works after all these years. A watch of all-proof robustness for a ridiculous price. An endearing watch to have in a collection, especially of diving watches.

Vostok Amphibia 50th Anniversary

La marque Ollech &amp; Wajs a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 1956 par Joseph Ollech et Albert Wajs &agrave; Zurich en Suisse. Albert &eacute;tait charg&eacute; de la conception, de l&rsquo;ing&eacute;nierie et de la fabrication des montres, tandis que Joseph s&rsquo;occupait du marketing et de la vente au d&eacute;tail. Avant de cr&eacute;er leur propre montres sous la marque Ollech &amp; Wajs, ils ont commenc&eacute; leur activit&eacute; en 1954 en fabriquant des bracelets en acier pour d&rsquo;autres marques.
La marque est connue pour avoir distribu&eacute; des montres &agrave; des unit&eacute;s de l&rsquo;arm&eacute;e am&eacute;ricaine pendant la guerre du Vietnam et pour avoir gagn&eacute; sa renomm&eacute;e aupr&egrave;s des plongeurs et pilotes du monde entier.
Apr&egrave;s 12 ans de n&eacute;gociation et apr&egrave;s avoir &eacute;t&eacute; son distributeur pour le march&eacute; fran&ccedil;ais, en 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, un passionn&eacute; d&rsquo;horlogerie, rach&egrave;te la marque. La gamme actuelle comprend des mod&egrave;les comme la Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 et la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph">Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> et la Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2>Combien co&ucirc;te une montre Ollech &amp; Wajs ?</h2>
Les prix des montres Ollech &amp; Wajs &eacute;voluent et diff&egrave;rent selon les mod&egrave;les. La plupart co&ucirc;tent entre CHF 1,500 et CHF 2,000 selon les mod&egrave;les et les finitions. Comptez CHF 1,456 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI et pr&egrave;s de CHF 2,300 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronographe. Le march&eacute; de l'occasion est &eacute;galement une opportunit&eacute; &agrave; regarder pour acheter une Ollech &amp; Wajs moins ch&egrave;re. Les mod&egrave;les Vintage notamment les Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron et&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, sont tr&egrave;s pris&eacute;es des collectionneurs et ils convient de bien se renseigner sur le vendeur avant de franchir le pas de l'acquisition d'une vintage.
Ollech &amp; Wajs est une marque de montres ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines de montres par an, tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une Ollech &amp; Wajs qui vous correspond le mieux,&nbsp;les avis clients Dialicious sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.
Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_suisses">Classement des meilleures marques de montres suisses</a> dont Ollech &amp; Wajs fait partie.
(Mise &agrave; jour Octobre 2024)

The brand Ollech &amp; Wajs was created in 1956 by Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs in Zurich, Switzerland. Albert was responsible for the design, engineering and manufacturing of the watches, while Joseph handled marketing and retail sales. Before creating their own watches under the brand Ollech &amp; Wajs, they started their business in 1954 making steel bracelets for other brands.
The brand is known for distributing watches to units of the American army during the Vietnam War and for having earned its reputation among divers and pilots around the world.
After 12 years of negotiations and after having been its distributor for the French market, in 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, a watchmaking enthusiast, bought the brand. The current range includes models like the Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph"> Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> and the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does an Ollech &amp; Wajs watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Ollech &amp; Wajs watches change and differ depending on the model. Most cost between CHF 1,500 and CHF 2,000 depending on the models and finishes. Expect to pay CHF 1,456 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI and close to CHF 2,300 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronograph. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a cheaper Ollech &amp; Wajs. Vintage models including the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, are very popular with collectors and they should find out about the seller before taking the step of purchasing a vintage one.
Ollech &amp; Wajs is an independent watch brand and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an Ollech &amp; Wajs that best suits you, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.
Consult the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands">Ranking of the best Swiss watch brands</a> of which Ollech &amp; Wajs is part.
(Updated October 2024)

Vostok Owner Review : Exotic, different and eccentric

original pilot watch...russian

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