Description
Vostok Amphibia automatic diver’s watch — “Submarine Captain”
MADE IN RUSSIA
Manufactured at the Chistopol Watch Factory “Vostok”.
Амфибия (Amphibia) is the name Vostok gave its 200-metre diver’s watch: a watch meant to be as much at home underwater as on land.
“Капитан подводной лодки” on the dial reads “Submarine Captain”. There is no “Заказ МО СССР” (Ordered by the Ministry of Defence) marking on this dial: this is a civilian Amphibia.
About the Amphibia 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: a stainless-steel diver’s watch rated to 200 metres (20 atm). Instead of an expensive screw-down crown, Vostok sealed it with a case back that is pressed down harder by water pressure the deeper the watch goes, a simple solution that made a proper diver’s watch affordable.
This is the stainless-steel Amphibia case with a rotating bezel, fitted with the automatic calibre 2416B with date.
About This Watch
The dial has a black outer ring with large luminous Arabic numerals, round lume dots and a printed minute track, around a blue-grey centre disc. On the disc is a surfaced submarine with a red star on its conning tower, an anchor below it, the Vostok “B” logo and the script “Капитан подводной лодки” (Submarine Captain). The date window sits at 3. The hour hand is an arrow with a lume insert, the minute hand is a lume-filled sword, and the central seconds hand is red with a lume dot. The chrome rotating bezel carries red markings on the left half and black on the right. The watch is fitted to a vintage steel bracelet with a fold-over clasp.
The case back, held by a retaining ring, is marked “Амфибия”, “Водонепроницаемые 200 м” (water resistant 200 m), “Противоударные” (shock-resistant) and “Автоподзавод” (automatic winding). The 200 m figure is the factory rating from new; we do not claim water resistance for a watch of this age. Inside is a Vostok calibre 2416B, stamped “2416Б” and “RUS” on the bridge: automatic winding, 31 jewels, central seconds and date. The “RUS” stamp means the movement was made in Russia after 1991, and nothing on the watch dates it more closely, so we do not give a year.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Vostok (Chistopol Watch Factory)
- Line: Amphibia
- Dial: “Submarine Captain” (Капитан подводной лодки)
- Movement: Vostok 2416B
- Jewels: 31
- Winding: Automatic
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Case Size: Approx. 45x43mm (with crown)
- Thickness: Approx. 13mm
- Lug Width: 18mm
- Crystal: Acrylic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date; rotating bezel
- Country of Manufacture: Russia
Condition Report
The dial is clean with complete printing; the lume on the numerals, dots and hand inserts has aged evenly to a cream tone. The steel case shows light scratches from use, with more on the case back and its retaining ring. The bezel has wear to its chrome finish and small chips in the paint, and its knurled edge shows a brass tone where the plating has worn. The bracelet has scratches consistent with age, most visible on the clasp.
This watch has recently been serviced by a professional watchmaker and keeps good time.
Comes complete with 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 Amphibia is the most famous Soviet-designed diver’s watch, and plenty were made, so the appeal here is not scarcity. The “Submarine Captain” dial is one of the best-loved Amphibia designs: the submarine, red star and anchor on a blue-grey centre make it unmistakably a Vostok. This one has the automatic 2416B with date, a robust movement that any watchmaker can service, so it winds itself as you wear it. If you want a more purposeful tool-watch look, the bezel can be swapped for the optional black diver’s bezel.
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
