Vostok Amphibia: Case Type Classification Project

Document version 1.2 September 2010

The classic Amphibia series has been a very successful family of watches by Vostok Watchmakers Inc. This is an attempt to identifty the many watch cases used over the years. The Vostok product code is generally a six-digit number, the first two refer to case design, while the third digit refers to case material or finish. In the case of the Amphibia, the third number 0 refers to stainless steel. The pictures used for illustrations are from the sites ran by my fellow WUS members, I would like to express my gratitude, along with the immense help from many members. Being an on-going project, I would welcome further additions and corrections. Thank you. Samuel Tang samuel_tang@optusnet.com.au

Amphibia Type 350

Characteristics: Round case, swivel lugs Movement: 2209, 2214 Reference pages: Phil: http://www.netgrafik.ch/images/vostok_space2.jpg http://www.netgrafik.ch/divers1.htm http://www.netgrafik.ch/divers2.htm Mark Gordon Nos. 0662, 0754, 1135, 1298 Michele Cuoccio: http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02168.jpg NHT: http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok_Amphibia.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok_Amphibia_White.jpg Note: Although the Maiers' page shows one with flat-ended Amphibia crown, it has date (presumably 2214 movement) and regular Amphibia hands. Those shown by Phil have dome-tipped crowns and earlier forms of hands, including one with paddle hands. Mark Gordon's 0662 also shows dome-tipped crown, but with unusual combination of hands and a Komandirskie-signed dial with date, powered by a 2214 movement. An example was used by Yuri Viktorovitch Romanenko in the Soyuz 38 space mission, September 1980. Additional variants are documented with wire loops instead of the pressed metal lugs, and with rivets replaced by pieces of wire.

Amphibia Type 350 (continued)

In addition to the standard version with 200m water resistance rating, a number of examples with 300m (marked as 30atm on the case back) water resistance are known. The known examples sport the same style of dial as found in the Type 1190/630 Tonneau 300m and are with gilt paddle hands. Some examples have the newer oval B Vostok logo at the back too. It is not known if a separate type number was assigned to this.

Amphibia Type 470

Characteristics: Octagonal case, often with dial signed Albatross Movement: 2409, 2409A Reference pages: Phil: http://www.netgrafik.ch/infantry-watches9.htm http://www.netgrafik.ch/vostok-albatros.htm http://www.netgrafik.ch/vostok-radio-room.htm http://www.netgrafik.ch/sport-watches14.htm Mark Gordon Nos. 0115, 0740, 0787, 1195, 1245 Michele Cuoccio: http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02107.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02108.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02113.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02124.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02119.jpg NHT: http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Antimagnetic%20%20CAEAAHO%20B%20CCCP.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Azul%20Branco.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Antimagnetic.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok_Amphibia_Albatros.jpg

Amphibia Type 470 (continued)

http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Albatros%20Marine%20Border%20Patrol %20-%20CAEAAHO%20B%20CCCP.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Albatros%20Radio%20Room%20Operator %20-%20CAEAAHO%20B%20CCCP.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Albatros%20Radio%20Room%20Operator %20-%20Polished%20Case.jpg Robert Prochowicz: http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2466 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2931 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3037 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3045 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3077 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3083 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3085 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3087 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3135 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3147 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3171 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3173 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3177 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3191 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3235 Note: Mark Gordon's 1195 is fitted with a Komandirskie MOD dial with date and powered by a 2234 movement. Robert Prochowicz's 3037 appears to have a 2414 movement and Komandirskie hands, which may or may not be original. Most, if not all of them are equipped with a soft metal antimagnetic shield covering the back of the movement. Examples have been documented with polished or brushed finish on the case. A small number of examples are also found marked as with 300m water resistance. While the styling is the same, they are more substantial in construction, with thicker case body and crystal, and with the same kind of dial as in the 300m Tonneau. It is not known if a separate type number was assigned to this.

Amphibia Type Unknown

Characteristics: The lugs are formed in one piece with the case back. Movement: 2409 Reference page: http://forums.watchuseek.com/f10/interesting-amphibian-400569-post2993975.html#post2993975 Note: This is a most unusual design found by WUS member katolik.

Amphibia Type 1190, then 630

Characteristics: 300m tonneau Movement: 2209 Reference pages: Phil: http://www.netgrafik.ch/divers4.htm Mark Gordon No. 0075 NHT: http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20300m.jpg Note: One example owned by NHT has case type number 1190, built in 1981; a similar example owned by Phil was built in 1986 and has case type number 630. Its lug width is 22mm.

Amphibia Type 119

Characteristics: 200m tonneau Movement: 2209 Reference pages: Phil: http://www.netgrafik.ch/sport-watches17.htm Mark Gordon: Nos. 0172, 0394, 0669 Michele Cuoccio: http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02156.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02163.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02151.jpg NHT: http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Tonneau.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Blue%20Diver%20Tonneau.jpg Robert Prochowicz: http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=1917 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3059 Note: The 119 appellation does not follow the established convention. The difference between the 300m and 200m versions can be seen in the next page:

Amphibia Type 119 (continued)

Amphibia Type 960

Characteristics: Neptune case, single lug in middle Movement: 2409, 2414b 21-jewel and 31-jewel Reference pages: Ed Brandwein: http://edscorner1.blogspot.com/2009/12/another-interesting-old-vostok-amphibia.html http://edscorner1.blogspot.com/2007/10/vostok-neptune-review.html Phil: http://www.netgrafik.ch/divers3.htm Mark Gordon Nos. 0208, 0547 NHT: http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Blue%20Diver%20%20Neptnue%20Case.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Neptune%20Blue.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Neptune%20Brown.jpg Note: Originally a variant of the Amphibia case with a slightly oval shape, it is not yet known if the type number 930 was assigned at the time. First made with brushed finish and a variety of dials. Most are with 21-jewel automatic movements with date, Mark Gordon's 0280 is powered by a 2409, however. Later on, this case, with confirmed appellation of Type 930, was used in the Neptune series with a distinctive dial design, polished finish, and equipped with 31-jewel version of the automatic movement.

Amphibia Type 020

Characteristics: Round case, thinner case body Movement: 2409 Reference pages: Phil: http://www.netgrafik.ch/submarine3.htm Mark Gordon: No. 0116 Michele Cuoccio: http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02090.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02096.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02104.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02130.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02136.jpg NHT: http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Antimagnetic%20%20CAEAAHO%20B%20CCCP%20-%20(Creme).jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Antimagnetic%20%20CAEAAHO%20B%20CCCP%20-%20%28Creme%29_2.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Antimagnetic%20Green.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Antimagnetic%20%20CAEAAHO%20B%20CCCP%20-%20(Verde).jpg

Amphibia Type 020 (continued)

http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Antimagnetic%20%20CAEAAHO%20B%20CCCP%20-%20Verde%20Branco.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Operation%20Desert%20Shield%20%20Made%20in%20USSR.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Russia%20%20CAEAAHO%20B%20CCCP.jpg Robert Prochowicz: http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=821 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=1010 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=1012 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=1949 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2554 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2945 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2947 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3061 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3047 Note: The thinner case body can take only the 2409 hand-wind movement, with a slightly domed case back. Middle section of the case is 2mm thick.

Amphibia Type 420

Characteristics: Round case, thicker case body Movement: 2416b, 21-jewel and 31-jewel Reference pages: Mark Gordon: Nos. 0316, 0759, 0789, 0791 Michele Cuoccio: http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02509.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02082.jpg http://russianwatches.altervista.org/Dsc02127.jpg NHT: http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Anchor%20%20CAEAAHO%20B%20POCCNN.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Blue%20Scuba%20Dude%202416.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Blue%20Diver%20%20CAEAAHO%20B%20POCCNN.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Radio%20Room%20Operator%20%20Edi%E7%E3o%20Limitada.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Submarine%20%20MADE%20IN%20USSR.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Cosmonaut%20Helmet.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Vostok%20Rocket.jpg http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Tank.jpg

Amphibia Type 420 (continued)

Robert Prochowicz: http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=731 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2455 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2929 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2969 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2979 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2983 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3029 Note: The Type 420 case can be considered as a development of the Type 020 case, the only difference is that it is slightly thicker, at 3mm instead of 2mm, to accommodate the 2416b automatic movement, as seen in this picture by NHT. Its case back has a more pronounced dome.

Amphibia Type Unknown

Characteristics: Large round case Movement: 2414 21-jewel Reference Pages: http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s64/abunce1016/zulu011.jpg Ed Brandwein: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ji-UGwzEFWQ/SFr81oQbnFI/AAAAAAAAA6c/J6uyPkCfqkg/s1600h/DSCN2918.JPG Mark Gordon: No.0773 Note: When seen from the front, the case perimeter extends well beyond the bezel.

Amphibia Type Unknown

Characteristics: Old Ministry Movement: 2416b 21-jewel Reference page: Phil: http://www.netgrafik.ch/divers6.htm NHT: http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Ministry%2021%20jewels.jpg Note: some examples are marked Antimagnetic.

Amphibia Type 710

Characteristics: Current model Ministry case Movement: 2416b Reference pages: NHT: http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20Ministry%20Blask%20Diver%20%20CAEAAHO%20B%20POCCNN.jpg Note: The two generations of the Ministry case can be seen here, picture by NHT:

Amphibia Type 060

Characteristics: Long case with hidden lugs Movement: 2416b

Amphibia Type Unknown

Characteristics: vaguely regular octagonal shape, no crown guard Movement: 2409A, 2414 Reference page: Mark Gordon: No. 0506 NHT: http://nht.no.sapo.pt/Relogios/actual/Vostok%20Amphibia%20-%20Albatros%20Icebreaker%20%20CAEAAHO%20B%20CCCP.jpg http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/15/p1000743a.jpg Robert Prochowicz: http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=2987 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3023 http://www.ussrwatches.info/main.php?g2_itemId=3025

Change Log
Version 1.0 Version 1.1 Version 2.3 First release Layout corrections, web links now work Added 300m versions of Type 350 and Type 470