Julian Kampmann, Russian Watch Expert in Germany

Julian Kampmann is a russian watch expert based in Munich, Germany. He sells Aviator, Vostok and Buran watches via his website, Poljot24.de. If you check around the web you'll see he receives many favorable comments from his customers.

Here's more information on Poljot24.de direct from Julian:

I've been trading with russian watches since 1992 nonstop and opened my online shop in 1998. Before that I sold them via printed catalogue.

I have about 400 different russian watch models on stock (about 250 models online) and usually have over 1200 russian watches on stock. This is important for me because I know that the customer would prefer to have the watch on the next day. In most cases I can send on the next day of the purchase.

I ship worldwide – I do have only 40% customers within Germany and the rest worldwide, specially France, Britain, Benelux, but also Australia, USA, Canada, etc.

And (most important normally for the customers) I try to really do my best in customer service. I offer a 2 year warranty, inexpensive repair service and most of all intensive answering of all possible questions for the customers, because many have no idea about russian watches or don't know what to buy.

m-watches.com, Authorized Seller in Germany

m-watches.com is an an authorized seller for Vostok, Raketa and Moscow Classic. The company is based in Germany but ships internationally, including to North America. In fact, the price is 19% lower for all deliveries outside EU since tax does not apply.

"All watches are legally imported to Germany and we are listed as authorized sellers on all three manufacturer's websites," says m-watches.com proprietor Tetyana Borysenko.

m-watches.com also operates a German-language ebay store.

Video - How a Vostok Komandirskie is Built

This 8 minute video, which was made for Russian television, takes a close look at the Vostok Komandirskie. It includes a good explanation of the inner workings of the watch's mechanical movement.

Particularly entertaining is the segment where Dmitri the watch designer drives over his Komandirskie with his car. Of course, the watch survives unscathed and fully functional!

How to Set a Vostok Amphibia Watch

If you've never owned a Vostok watch before, setting the time and date can be a little tricky. And the fact that the manual is in Russian doesn't make matters any easier.

One thing to keep in mind is that this watch has a screw-down winding cap with an internal rubber gasket. You always need to close that completely after winding and setting to keep it waterproof.

Also, there is a shortcut to setting the date quickly without having to turn through 24 hours to move the date ahead one day. Basically, you can move the hour hand between the 8 o'clock and 12 o'clock positions to advance the date.

Here is a link to the Vostok Amphibian manual with complete instructions on how to set the watch. The manual is in English.

Two More Buyer's Guides

In a previous post I had mentioned a Squidoo site called Buyer's Guide to Vostok Watches. The same author has published two more sites called Buyer's Guide to Vostok-Europe Watches and Buyer's Guide to Raketa Watches. These sites serve as brief introductions to the aforementioned brands.

Tips on Buying a Vostok Watch

Here's a a link to an article called Tips on Buying a Vostok Watch. It talks about the Vostok Company and the reasons why the author believes Vostok watches are such good value.

The Movement Inside a Typical Russian Watch

Most Russian watches use mechanical movements. Vostok and Poljot movements are the most common, however some higher-end Russian watches are now using Swiss ETA movements. Some low-end models are using Chinese movements.

If you are curious what these movements look like, check out this page at the PMaier Russian Watches Shop (based in Germany):

www.vostok-watches.com/movements-russian-watches.html

It gives pictures and data for mechanical movements by Vostok, Poljot, Molnija and ETA. The chart also lists watches that use each movement.

It's a good resource.