****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
First, let me clear something up. This IS a GMT watch. What you need to do is turn the bezel to "set" your time zone.For example, I live in PDT which is GMT -7. So I turn the bezel so that 7 is above the 12. It's 4:13PM (16:13) PDT time now. The GMT hand, the red-tipped one, is pointing at 23. Which is correct - in GMT it's 23:13This is actually a feature because no matter what time zone your watch is set to, you can adjust the bezel to GMT. In fact, since it uses the bezel, you can turn the bezel to display any second time zone, not just GMT (though that's the traditional use of it).As far as the rest of the watch, yup, it's an historical Russian product, which I love. The one good thing about the Soviet Era is craftsmanship remained. It's hard, durable, designed to do a job with little frills. (Same as my Ural motorcycle. ;-))The watch was simply but protectively packaged in a cardboard box with some foam around it and scratch-protection on the crystal and watch back. Instructions in English were enclosed, and the watch I received came with a bonus red star pin with hammer and sickle. Nice!This watch has a beautiful face and is keeping good time. Setting the time on these is a pain because it's really only done by advancing past midnight, but the instructions (it comes with a good set of English instructions) give a tip: after you turn past midnight, one only has to turn back past 8 to be able to click to the next day.If you want a durable automatic watch, or want a nice inexpensive piece to start a collection or add to an existing one, you can't go wrong. This watch is a bargain for the price.Also, I want to give kudos to the seller I bought from. This is the second watch I've obtained from this seller (Vostok Trading), and they do a good job and it comes via prime. I'm glad I went with them - other sellers on the internet have like a 5 week time (unless you want to pay $$$$ for DHL) and mess around with customs. This seller offers a fair price, removes the headache, and has the usual amazon purchase protection. I'll be buying more Vostoks and from Vostok Trading over time as I expand my collection.I'm a mid level watch collector ($1.5k or less time pieces). I have bought a few Vostok watches. I have to say this is the most solid feeling one. Thinner and lighter than my amphibias. The fit and finish is surprisingly good for a sub $300 watch. Definetly looks nicer in person than pictured. It's a slave gmt watch so the 3rd hand can't be adjusted in dependants. But the bezel is rotatable. It's not omni-directional but it's a lower profile and tighter fit than the other vostoks I have. I'm not worried about it getting out of alignment as much. I got the rubber strap version. It fits me but I can see it not fitting other people. It only has the 3 micro adjustment holes on the clasp. The inside of the band doesn't have any corrigations so it makes your wrist sweat. Going to replace it with a seatbelt nato or rally strap. Its light enough that a parachute strap could work.The only way this is a GMT watch is if you are in Grennwhich England and it's set to the local time. The second hours hand functions as a 24 hour watch and can not be set independently of the first. Thus when the secondary hours hand is at what is normally interpeted as the 3,6,9 or 12 position, the conventional time will be 6am, 12 noon, 6pm or 12amIt does not have a date complication which I think is a plus for a Russian watch because they are such a pain in the neck to set. I have other Russian watches that I just never adjust the date, or I wait until it is that date already being displayed before I wear it.Having said that, It's still a real bargain for a mechanical watch, and quite accurate, -5 sec per day. I'm glad I bought it.GMT-DIVING - SNORKELING -SWIM-SHOWER.Many were made in Ukraine,War & inflation will increase prices Many fold .I wear this watch every day for work in mud snow, ice, grease and heat. It takes a beating and hasn’t quit or lost time. The strap is a bit hard to adjust as you have to cut the whole link out to shorten it but it’s proves it’s durable.After a little research I decided I couldn't pass this one up. At just over $100 it came in more that expected. I know what watches cost and have more expensive automatics that the Komandirskie matches so far. Personally, I like the second hour hand with the 24 hr bezel. It takes a little thinking and remembering the first few times to get GMT but does give me the information I want.I replaced the band with a red NATO (kind if ironic, isn't it?) so it would match the red hands.Appreciated the hammer and sickle pin as a bonus.I received it sooner than expected, the watch completely meets all my expectations, high quality materials.If you do not know how to use the GMT, I recommend to investigate so that the experience of having a watch of this type generates more value.Great watch, smooth movement, with a solid weight, very comfortable to wear.
