Description
Vostok Komandirskie (“Commander’s”) watch — 18 jewels
MADE IN USSR!
Manufactured at the Chistopol Watch Factory “Vostok”, USSR.
Командирские (Komandirskie) means “Commander’s”. The watch was built to a Soviet Ministry of Defence specification rather than sold as an ordinary civilian model.
“Заказ МО СССР” on the dial reads “Ordered by the Ministry of Defence of the USSR”. Watches carrying that marking were distributed through Voentorg military stores to servicemen with identification, rather than sold over the counter to the general public.
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).
Alongside the steel field watches with rotating bezels, Chistopol made a dressier Komandirskie: a gold-plated cushion case with no bezel, a date window at 3 and the slim manual-wind calibre 2234. It carries the same “Заказ МО СССР” dial marking as its steel siblings. It was a watch for the dress uniform rather than the field.
About This Watch
This one pairs the gold-plated cushion case with a deep purple dial. The dial has large cream-filled 12, 9 and 6 numerals, baton indices, a red star below the centre and a date window at 3 with a red numeral. The script “Командирские” logo sits above centre, “Чистополь” below the star and “Заказ МО СССР” along the bottom edge. The case side is stamped AU10, the Soviet marking for 10-micron gold plating. The screw-down steel back is marked “Противоударный баланс / Пылезащищенные” (shock-protected balance / dustproof) and carries a hand-engraved rocket and the inscription “Байконур 1974–1976”. Inside is the Vostok calibre 2234, identified by the number and Vostok logo on its bridge.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Vostok (Chistopol Watch Factory)
- Line: Komandirskie — “Заказ МО СССР”
- Movement: Vostok 2234
- Jewels: 18
- Winding: Manual
- Case Material: Gold-plated (AU10), steel case back
- Case Size: 40.5×35.5mm (with crown)
- Thickness: 10.5mm
- Lug Width: 18mm
- Crystal: Acrylic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
- Country of Manufacture: USSR
Condition Report
The purple dial is clean, with even colour and intact printing. The hands and numerals keep their original cream lume, now aged. The acrylic crystal has light scratches, most visible over the lower half of the dial. The gold plating is intact on the front and the sides, with light surface scratches from use and no brassing seen in the photos. The steel case back has light scratches around the engraving.
This watch has recently been serviced by a professional watchmaker and keeps good time.
Comes complete with a new leather strap.
This watch ships from 🇺🇦 Ukraine with tracking number
Engraved on the case back, with a rocket:
“Байконур 1974–1976 г.г.”
“Baikonur, 1974–1976”
Why Collectors Want This Watch Today
Komandirskie were made in large numbers, so the reason to choose this one is the watch itself. The gold-plated dress case and the purple dial are a less common look than the usual black or white. The engraving marks two years at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the Soviet launch site run by the military. We don’t know who it was made for, but it ties the watch to a real place and time in a way a plain case back can’t.
Modes of payment:
- PayPal
- Credit Cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
- bitcoin
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
