Description
Vostok Komandirskie (“Commander’s”) automatic watch — 31 jewels
MADE IN RUSSIA
Manufactured at the Chistopol Watch Factory “Vostok”, Russia.
Командирские (Komandirskie) means “Commander’s”. ВДВ stands for Воздушно-десантные войска, the Airborne Troops: the paratroopers, whose winged-parachute emblem sits at the centre of this dial.
This is a post-Soviet watch. The case back carries the double-headed eagle of the Russian Federation, the coat of arms adopted in 1993.
About the Komandirskie Line
The Chistopol Watch Factory was appointed official supplier to the USSR Ministry of Defence in 1965, and the Komandirskie was created that same year. The experience gained developing the army watch led directly to the Amphibia in 1967 — the stainless-steel diver rated to 200 metres (20 atm).
After 1991 Vostok kept the Komandirskie in production, with dials themed on the branches of the armed forces. The VDV (Airborne Troops) dial with the parachute emblem is one of the best known of them. This one is fitted with the self-winding calibre 2416B, Vostok’s automatic movement, rather than the usual manual-wind 2414A.
About This Watch
The dark blue dial has gold-tone Arabic numerals, a white minute track and round lume dots at the hours, with a framed date window at 3. At the centre is the Airborne Troops emblem: a white-and-blue parachute between two light-blue wings, with a red star above it. Below it are “ВДВ” and the script “Командирские” logo, and the circled Vostok “В” sits beside the 9. The hour and minute hands are gold-tone with lume inserts, and the central seconds hand is red. The dial carries no jewel count or country marking. The chrome-plated round Komandirskie case has a rotating bezel with red markings on the left half and black on the right, and a knurled edge. The steel case back, held by a retaining ring, is stamped with the Russian double-headed eagle and “Водонепроницаемые · Автоподзавод” (Water resistant · Automatic winding). Nothing on the watch gives a production year, so we do not give one. Inside is a Vostok calibre 2416B, stamped “2416Б” on the bridge: 31 jewels, automatic winding that can also be wound by hand at the crown, central seconds and date. The rotor carries the cut-out Vostok “В”.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Vostok (Chistopol Watch Factory)
- Line: Komandirskie, VDV (Airborne Troops) dial
- Movement: Vostok 2416B
- Jewels: 31
- Winding: Automatic, can also be wound by hand
- Case Material: Chrome-plated case, steel case back
- Case Size: Approx. 45.5×43.5mm (with crown)
- Lug Width: 18mm
- Crystal: Acrylic
- Bracelet: Steel, folding clasp
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
- Country of Manufacture: Russia
Condition Report
Good used condition. The dial printing and the parachute emblem are complete. The lume dots and hand inserts have aged to a cream tone, and there are light marks and some spotting on the dial and crystal, visible in the close-up photos. The chrome plating on the case front and bezel is bright, with light handling marks. The case back ring, the lug ends and the underside of the case show plating loss with brass showing through; this is hidden on the wrist. The crown plating has worn to a brass tone. The steel case back and the bracelet clasp have light surface scratches.
This watch has recently been serviced by a professional watchmaker and keeps good time.
Comes complete with a vintage steel bracelet.
This watch ships from 🇺🇦 Ukraine with tracking number
Shown with optional black bezel — highly recommended add-on!
Why Collectors Want This Watch Today
The Komandirskie is one of the best-known Soviet and Russian watch designs, and plenty were made, so the appeal is the watch rather than scarcity. The VDV dial, with the winged parachute and red star of the Airborne Troops, is one of the most recognisable Komandirskie designs, and its dark blue echoes the paratroopers’ famous blue beret. The automatic 2416B winds itself as you wear it, a step up from the manual-wind movement in most Komandirskie, and it is a robust calibre that any watchmaker can service. The bezel can be swapped for the optional black diver’s bezel if you want a darker look.
Modes of payment:
- PayPal
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We guarantee the item you receive looks and works exactly as advertised — or your money back.
About the watch factory
Watch Factory “Vostok” – began as the “2nd State Watch Factory” was evacuated during World War 2 to Chistopol in 1941.
In 1943 began producing Kirovskie watch – first Soviet man’s wrist watch earlier made on 1st Moscow Watch Factory. From 1949 famous “Pobeda” watches were made here.
From 1965 “Commander’s” watch Vostok were made on the factory.
Since 1965 factory was official supplier of Ministry of Defence, all watches produced were branded as “Vostok”
Other brands produced: Albatros, Amphibia, Buran, Chaika, General’s, Kama, Kolos, Komandirskie, Mir, Pobeda, Saturn, Sekonda, Sputnik, Svet, Uran, Vostok
