Restoring Neglected 1980s Dive Watch - Vintage Soviet Vostok Amphibia
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ม.ค. 2021
- In this video I will take you through a full restoration of a neglected Vostok Amphibia, a Soviet dive watch from the late 1980s. It appears the watch hasn't been serviced for decades with caked up dirt, deep crystal scratches, and heavily worn case on the outside.
The watch had a broken mainspring and a cracked irreparable bezel, these were the only replacements. I decided to polish the deeply scratched crystal instead of replacing it to preserve originality and factory 200m water resistance.
The watch was presumably never opened, so the watchface was extremely well preserved and the dirty dry movement was never messed with. This granted an incredible transformation as the layers of dirt and scratches were dealt with. Kick back and enjoy this relaxing ASMR video.
More vintage watches on my Instagram @notarolex
Watch sales and personal restorations available
notarolex.sales@gmail.com - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Thank you! Vostok - is the best! Respect from Russia! Many interesting technical solutions are used in this watch (if you are interested, see my review in Russian). Sometimes the quality is not the best. But it mostly refers to the build quality. For example, before using in water, it is sometimes necessary to check that the back cover is fully screwed on. At this price, there is no other fully manufactured watch with its glorious history and original designs on the world market!
Omg the Lego tire 😂
Most useful tool in my arsenal!
Lovely job, and beautiful outcome. Ready for another 20 years service for some lucky wearer .
Thanks! That lucky wearer is me ;)
@@notarolex you are an aesthete
Красавчик мужик. Резьбовое кольцо на крышке затянул штангенциркулем. Мое почтение.
Такой штангель - самая удобная штука для домашнего откручивания грязных колец советских часов.
@@domino051970 неужели?)Я вд40 пшикаю,потом пинцетом откручиваю.
Обычно так и делают. Я ножницами затягивал
I own a Vostok Amphibia 👌 Not this model though. I own the “Scuba Dude” model.
Излишняя лихость. Можно пропороть руку. Есть ключи самых разных конструкций.
Hi Nick, what a pleasure to see a video from you! Great work, and the watch is absolutely beautiful!
Thank you Spencer! It was a pleasure to work with.
Beautiful watch! The dial patina is amazing!!
This watch has been waiting so long for you to service it. Great job!!
Thank you Tony!
It looks like leather.
Good, high-quality work! Complete transformation of the vintage clock. You gave them a second life!
Thank you very much! :)
Great job!!! And excellent watch ofcourse!!! Wostok is my favorite watch brand. Thanks for getting it back to life!!!
Amazing restoration. I would love to have a piece of art like the one you restored. Beautiful watch. Thanks for sharing the video.
Wow! That was mind blowing, the level of craftsmanship, patience and knowledge you need, it's out of reach for the vast majority of us
Beautiful restoration
That is an incredible first video... so satisfying to watch from beginning to end... congratulations!
Thank you Miguel!
Very nice video! It’s so relaxing to watch something like this. Nice work!
Thanks Abe!
Great job! I watch many watch videos, and yours is done very very well! You work like I do. Enjoy your new watch!
Love it; beautiful work !
Silence is golden. Lovely video
Thanks!
WELCOME BACK MAN!!! You've been dearly missed on Reddit and IG. Hope you are doing well Nick!
Thank you my friend!
Good Job! Love vintage diver watches. I hope there will be more vintage divers videos.
Thank you! Sure. Subscribe you;ll see more!
Best video yet for Amphib restoration. Thanx
Sure!
Great video, very impressed, please keep them coming. Great camera work.
Thanks David!
Fantastic watch and restoration job. I can hear the Soviet anthem
Nice job, enjoyed the video. I'm new to Vostok...most of what I've done is vintage American. Recently picked up a $15 Komandirski and got it running...now looking at mods and getting another! Down the rabbit hole! Again, great video, thanks!
Amazing footage, amazing skill, kudos🙌
Thanks mate!
Gorgeous dial on the Vostok wow you really have a nice watch now. Congratulations
Excellent Job. Well done! Really nice watch.
Thanks! One of my favorites.
Excellent!
Wow, wow! So pretty ! Great job !
Thanks!
What a gorgeous watch! The video and detail is wonderful. I would love to have a model like that one. Thank you very much !
Thank you Max! I have a model like this one, if you're interested to buy it after my restoration, please send me an email at notarolex.sales@gmail.com!
Nicely done!
thanks mate!
Nice work on the Boctoc! I have this exact watch, that I bought from a gentleman in Moscow. It has become my favorite.
Thanks! It's my favorite too.
@@notarolex I just bought this exact model from a gentleman tonight. I am hoping that it becomes my favorite, too.
Great work!
Thank you John! If you like this kind of work, make sure to follow my Instagram @notarolex!
Well done! Love the old colors on this Vostok.
Thank you! Love them too.
@@notarolex they are addictive aren't they :)
@@Robin6512 absolutely
Great camera work!
compliments on the video and work, hope you will upload some more. have agreat New Year...
Nice work
I love Vostok’s. I’ve had mine for a few months now and it’s great. I made a couple of videos on it too!
Beautiful work mate, you are an artist :)
Thank you!
Very cool! Great outcome👍🍻
thanks mate!
Great work. I like the watch a lot.
Thanks!
Amazing video! I am very happy You started Your own TH-cam channel. been observing Your content on Instagram since late 2019
Thank you Stan! Glad to see my followers here
Perfect Job. Excellent..!
Nice save! I'm yet to add a bakelite bezel Boctok to my collection since most haven't aged well. The albatross case is my second favourite after the 2209 tonneau!
Thanks! You have great taste. 2209 is oneof the best Soviet movements
Классное видео, часы после ремонта космос
Very well done, I like your use of lubricant and your attention to friction.
Thank you Davlin! Are you a watchmaker too?
I'm not a watch maker but I do have a fascination for watch building. I've been mesmerised by the repairs for years now and I'm getting close to understanding a few movements. I like the perfection in automatic watches and I'm blown away at how smart people had and have to be to even fathom building one.. I'm a Residential hvac business owner and I specialize in custom homes. I do the more complicated homes with many complications as well. I do have a Solar watch my great Grandmother wore that I'd like restored one day. I know it's not the most expensive watch but it's a survivor. She wore it when she was a nurse many years before you and I I'm sure.
@@420davlin it's always a great idea to keep a family member's watch. May you wear it in good health!
Wooooow it’s so beautiful 😍😍😍
This is so immensely satisfying, I am excited to business with you one day.
Thanks Bryan, I am always ready to do business with you!
good job mate
So glad you kept this beautiful watch as original as possible.
I wonder if you could tell me what abrasive you used to take the shine off the case.
WOW. BROTHER YOU ARE A TRUE MASTER.i have been viewing for a short time and , there are a few others that do great work, BUT YOU SEEM TO BE THE BEST, I have learned so much watch ing your Operation..Much respect to your skills. Holla back as we say hear in NJ, usa,. I have found two pieces I would Appreciate your opinion on..💯⚡♥️
Thank you for sharing this restoration. I am following along, learning and attempting my first restoration as a hobbyist. Its on a Vostok Komandirskie though.
Good luck on your journey! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need my help. On my instagram I post watchmaking content that you may find useful -- @notarolex is my instagram handle.
Awesome job 👍👍
Thanks!
Финальный результат впечатлил! Особенно цифер понравился с эффектом старинных часов
Спасибо Владимир! Мне тоже :)
Amazing work. I hope to learn how to do this some day.
Thanks! I'll be glad to see you on my instagram, I post watchmaking content that you may enjoy.
Amazing job
Thank you José
The crazing of the dial, actually, gives it some character!
Yes! My favorite feature of this watch, and cream lume plots
I just bought one similar off ebay. Thanks for the in depth tour. I dont even know the correct winding technique so I wanted to see that.
Congrats on the purchase! Feel free to send me a message on Instagram and I'll tell you more about it
Perfecto. Un buen trabajo. Eres un gran profesional. Sube más vídeos.
¡Gracias! Pronto haré más videos.
incredible work you show that the teacher makes the tool
Stunning watch, great work ad amazingly filmed, too!! Hope you'll find the time to publish more! I've collected a decent number of USSR Amphibias & Komandirskies, and my next goal is to service a 22xx or 24xx movement. The 2409 seems quite feasible for a beginner, isn't it? I have "scrap" movements to fiddle with. BTW I'm patiently waiting to find an Amphibia with this exact dial... I love how it ages but it's hard to find one in the condition I want... Yours is gorgeous!! Thanks for the video and the nice stuff you publish on Instagram. Cheers from Italy!
Thank you Matteo! 22XX is a better choice for a learner. One of the best Soviet movements. Pleasure to work with, very reliable, excellently engineered. 24XX has some cost cutting making it harder for a beginner.
If you're set on getting one of these - send me a message, I have some in stock
When he was fidling around with a top jewel from balance wheel shaft...Man, that is some skill right there, I would already break that part several times and I don't even have shaky hands
Haha yeah that's a pesky jewel!
Nice video ! 👍
Thanks!
excellent job. i have one exactly the same. great watch
Thanks! You have great taste! :)
Amazing
Pure art 👌
Thanks Niko!
Hi Nick! So glad you're on TH-cam!!! I recently quit Instagram but not before I purchased a vintage Raketa from you, I absolutely love it! I just subscribed to your channel! Beautiful watch and excellent work too!!
Hi Steven! Glad to see you here, thanks for following. How does your Raketa work, does it give you any troubles? :)
@@notarolex Not one issue, I love it! I wish you had a website I could go to, as I'm not on Instagram any longer, I'm getting that " I need a new watch itch" ! Good to hear from you!
great job
Thank you! Follow my Instagram @notarolex to see more stuff like this!
Super nice Video Nick, love the macros and the super nice work sound without any disturbing music.
Also, i think you forgot to change the gaskets (crown and tube), and maybe the crystal for being 100% waterproof again. But anyway, super nice job
Thanks Victor! To keep the water resistance, I simply oiled the rubber gaskets. While they aren't 100% like new again, this old rubber soaked the oil right up and this gave some of its original properties back.
Fantastic jobb 👏👏👏
Thanks Gino!
Amazing!
Thanks!
Hi, awesome video! Could you point me to any sort of list of the cleaners, oils, etc you used? Also, what exactly was the pink sanding block you used to shine the crystal? Thanks!
Awesome video, Nick! Could you do a similar video about Pobeda watches next?
Thanks! That's the plan ;)
Nice job buddy. I like the 2409's. They are workhorses. 👍✌
Thanks! They are excellent movements
Silent movie. Great film, I love Vostok watches right after Rolex, both collecting them. Now I ordered 2 more like the one in this video with the old bakelite bezel.
I have a rare bronze Kommendirskie or Amphibia with sniper dial.
Great choice! How does the bronze wear in real life? If you ever need your watches serviced or want to pick up a new one, feel free to reach out on my Instagram @notarolex or email notarolex.sales@gmail.com
Looking forward to seeing some Pobeda restorations! :)
looking forward to filming it!
Good job!
Thanks!
Look at those gears along with the movement !! Crude but still sharp cuts gears & still sharp &, “NOT WORN DOWN” ! That’s what attracted to me to the B/Vostok. If it’s rough gears cut out, long time to wear down. Guess that why the 10 yrs. for service! LOL
Parabéns! Excelente trabalho 🇧🇷
:)
OMG I have the exact same watch!
Spectacular
thanks!
Good Job!
Thansk Sewy!
Nice! I have the same dial. Unfortunately mine gains time like crazy.
Awesome restoration Nick! I love the care and admiration you put into each soviet watch within your care :)
- kgbontime
Hi Dan, thanks so much! Glad to see you here.
@@notarolex Здравствуйте, а что это за розовая губка на 24 минуте? как она называется? заранее спасибо за ответ
I can’t believe that video was half an hour long. I was transfixed and couldn’t take my eyes from the screen. I usually struggle to concentrate on things but I loved this and the sounds were amazing. Is this what people call ASMR?
Thank you man! Haha yes, it is ASMR-like.
Well done :-)!
Howie, thank you! Join my instagram @notarolex for more watch repair stuff!
So good I subscribed! keep it up...
Thanks Maxwell !
Man's made one video and dipped
Nice work and filming. I would like to know how you removed the case back ring.
Thank you. There are case back opener tools you can get off Ebay.
wow!!! epic care taken
Thanks! What ever it deserves
This is amazing! Not just a watch but an object of desire! I noticed that the black dial looks much better (less cracked/less thin lines), what have you done to address this element? I would really appreciate your reply. Many thanks
Not many professional tools or machines needed, this vid gave me hope😁
Haha the enthusiasts tool kit!
обалденные часы получились, спасибо за видео
The nontalking in this video made it so enjoyable and relaxing, this watch has a second chance of life ...what was the green stuff you use to clean the glass?
Absolutely loved your skillful restoration, and that a new life was once again given to that nice Amphibia. Is it at all risky dealing with tritium? It was phased out due to health concerns I believe. Just wanted your take on the subject. I did notice how your boxed the treated parts.
Radium and Tritium are different things. We still use tritium today, it's an isotope of Hydrogen and while it's slightly radioactive, it isn't a big concern. It's usually used in small glass tubes covered with phosphorus compounds on the inside so they glow. Again, fairly safe.
Radium is a whole different story, it emits alpha, beta and gamma radiation. It's also dubbed as the most radioactive metal in the world. This is also what they used on older watches. Granted, when enclosed in a watch the doses you'd get while wearing it are fairly small, but over time they accumulate. But it was ridiculously dangerous for girls that applied the lume and also if you break the watch it could get dangerous quick, especially if you inhale the dust.
So, tritium and radium don't have much in common except that they are both radioactive. Difference is, comparing the radioactivity of these 2 is like comparing paintball gun with a real gun.
Edit: Look up Marathon watches or Luminox, they use the tritium tube for luming the dial. Also some gun sights use it, and there are even keychains that glow in the dark with tritium.
Incredible work here! Love the way you recorded this, quality is fantastic! I quite like the look of the mainspring winder you used. Can you tell me the name of it please? Many thanks!
Hi Carl, thanks! This is some old Soviet winder. Wish I could buy more of these. If you're looking to just get started, I recommend any winder from China. Better than finger grease all over the mainspring
@@notarolex yea I was concerned about the quality of the Chinese ones. They’re by no means the best that they get the job done👍
Hi, may I know what was the item you used to make the glass(of the watch) clear and shiny? Thanks!
Looks like scavenging parts is a house specialty around there too...
Thanks for the great video! What chemicals do you use in the ultrasonic cleaner to clean the movement?
I use some Russian-made cleaning solution specific for watches. You can make one at home, google watchmaking cleaning solution
Big like!
Great video! Using it as a guide to tear down a Vostok I got on eBay. What solution do you use in the ultrasonic cleaner?
Thanks man! You’re welcome to send me any questions you may have regarding your Vostok on Instagram. I’m using a special watch cleaning solution called ARSEK made in Russia
This is a fantastic video! I’m hoping to do my first restoration like this soon. If you don’t mind me asking, I have a couple of questions. What is the gel you used to clean to case that bubbled when you scrubbed it? What is the pink brush you used on the case and crystal? And what is the green paste you used on the crystal. Your advice would be very appreciated :) thank you.
So, I'm just guessing here, but I'm pretty sure the pink brush is a micro grit sanding sponge. The green paste is some sort of fine polishing compound.