[Komandirskie 030598] Russian Unicorn

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AnMuricanPrayer

• Komandirskie 030598, Raketa Amphibia 0253 •

• Edited

I managed to snag this Komandirskie K-03 from Meranom last week after a solid 9 months of looking. I initially found out about this style after I saw Ben Arthur's (of Ben's Watch Club fame) video about one in a different colorway. At the time I had my 090059 Amphibia but I wished that I could actually wear it beyond casual occasions; even though Vostok is my favorite watch brand I think their quirky design language limits their versatility.

This, I feel, doesn't apply to the "Fifty Fathoms" Komandirskies. Both the dial and the bezel are a deep, rich blue, and the watch has a sunburst dial as well. The numbers are alsonlumed and are applied, making this Vostok look way more expensive than one might imagine. On top of that I think I've never found a watch that sits just right on my wrist; although I do enjoy both smaller and bigger watches (34-44mm) I've never seen a watch with proportions feel so correct. It's big enough on my 7.5 inch wrist to remind me of what I'm wearing, but it doesn't announce its own presence in the same way my Bulova Devil Diver does.

The only thing I don't like about the watch is the bracelet it came on. Vostok isn't known for their bracelets, and this certainly is true of the 030598. But unlike the traditional Amphibia bracelets, which just feel cheap, the butterfly clasp often opens itself if I move my hand too much. I'm thankful that I found out about this when I was sizing the bracelet, since the bracelet probably would’ve let the watch yeet itself off my wrist. I was planning on switching out the bracelet with a couple of the 20mm straps I already own, anyways.

renngretsch

•

I don't know why Vostok have made this latest batch without a lume pip on the bezell. Seems like an odd decision to me.

I have also had the same problem with this bracelet when I got it on a 200 model. Vostok should really step up their QC.

AnMuricanPrayer

• Komandirskie 030598, Raketa Amphibia 0253 •

I was also kinda disappointed that they didn't include the lume pip on this run either; if you actually used this for its intended purposes that pip would really come in handy

Vostok-aregreat-710

• Daily wearer 710379 Amphibia •

What QC problems are there and I have the same size wrist as you

AnMuricanPrayer

• Komandirskie 030598, Raketa Amphibia 0253 •

As I mentioned the bracelet is pretty dogshit, so I'd recommend you swap it out with whatever 20mm straps or bracelets you have. I think there's some very minor dust under the crystal, though it isn't as bad as some other Vostoks I've gotten in the past. Apart from that I haven't had any problems

Vostok-aregreat-710

• Daily wearer 710379 Amphibia •

I have parts on the way

rodmcmuffins

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This is absolutely gorgeous nice buy. Unfortunate that the strap is having issues, it looks great.

AnMuricanPrayer

• Komandirskie 030598, Raketa Amphibia 0253 •

• Edited

I honestly wish that Vostok used their crappy press clasp or even some stiff leather instead of jumping the gun and making something that doesn't even work properly. I have a Bulova Precisionist with a butterfly clasp and this stuff never happens with that, even though it was made in China (gasps).

If you want to get one Meranom has three of them in stock right now, but I'd still recommend getting an alternate strap or bracelet for it if you decide to pull the trigger.