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#1
11-08-2015, 11:47 PM
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The Vostok Amphibia
Well, here's one of my latest acquisitions, a Russian (actually Soviet) dive watch. This watch was commissioned by the Soviet government in 1967 for the Soviet Navy, and was intended to function as a professional diver's tool watch comparably to the Blancpain 50 Fathoms, the Rolex Submariner and the Omega Seamaster 300. It had to function at depths of 200 meters and significant temperatures and pressures. The contract was awarded to Russian watch manufacturer Vostok and assigned to two horologists, Mikhail Novikov and Vera Belova. This is what they came up with: the Vostok Amphibia. This dive watch is in fact very innovative and Novikov and Belova used the Russian developed "theory of inventive problem-solving" called TRIZ in it's design. It uses a Vostok caliber 2416-B automatic movement with 31 jewels and has a *10 year* service life. The pic below shows the stock watch with it's silver colored bezel.
 While the Vostok is one of the most rugged watches ever made, it's not exactly a beauty queen. One of the bits that I think detract from it's rather nice dial is the cheesy-looking bezel. However, the Amphibia, also known as the "Scuba Dude" for the cartoon scuba diver on it's dial, is very popular with modders, as the parts for it are so cheap. I modified mine with $35 aftermarket CNC machined bezel from Dave Murphy that accepts a Seiko SKX dive watch count-up bezel insert. I choose a beautiful blue bezel insert, and the resulting mod is in the second photo.  Then bracelet is also pretty cheesy, so I then put it on a rubberized rally-style strap with blue accents that helps dress it up a bit further.   Would love to know what folks think and have them guess what they think I paid for this watch! I'll post info on it's extremely innovative design if folks are interested. It really is one of the most effective dive watch designs ever created, with one of the longest service intervals, and yet one of the easiest to service.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. Last edited by Puma Cat; 11-08-2015 at 11:50 PM. 
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#2
11-08-2015, 11:53 PM
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I did a nice studio shot of "Scuba Dude" on this quiet Sunday afternoon while hanging out with Lucky Cat that I think shows it off quite nicely...
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
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#3
11-09-2015, 12:12 AM
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Stephen, several observations:
1) The transformation is phenomenal! 2) I have no idea what you paid, 3) Your skill with ambient lighting in shooting everyday objects is off the charts. You take better product shots than the product makers. Congrats, yet again.
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#4
11-09-2015, 12:59 AM
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Quote:
 The watch cost $89 delivered from Moscow. With the CNC bezel from Dave Murphy and the Seiko SKX bezel insert from Dagaz, it was about another $60 for both. So, I put this watch together for about $150 (had the strap lying around). Yep, the transformation is impressive; turned an ugly duckling into a bit of a swan! 
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
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#6
11-09-2015, 09:40 AM
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They look cool - I ordered one, for that price what the hell................
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Poland: Silenzio, Simaudio, Luxman, Bricasti, Bryston, Shunyata, Stax, Meze, Linn, Audeze, and Dan Clark Headphones, Stax, Wireworld, Crystal, Nordost, Siltech.  Home Main System: Magnepan 20.7, Pass Labs XA 100.5, Audio Research Reference 6, Esoteric P-03, D-03, G0-Rb, DV-60, Clearaudio Innovation & Tangent arm, VPI HW19 MK4 & ET 2.5 arm, Mark Levinson 37, Aesthetix Rhea Signature, Magnum Dynalab Etude, Kiseki PHS, Sumiko Palos Santos Presentation,Wireworld, Crystal Absolute Dream, Shunyata, Acoustic Zen, and Stealth cables Other Avalon Arcus, Snell Type AIII, Tympani IV, Green Mountain Europa, Martin Logan CLS, Tympani 1D, Counterpoint, GAS, Yamaha, Levinson, Perreaux, Proceed, Theta, Linn, and other collectibles, including 60 different headphones and 30+ headphone amps, over 60 cartridges, and too many cables, stands, and tweaks to list.
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#7
11-09-2015, 06:37 PM
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Quote:
Did you find the links for Murphy's bezel and Dagaz Watch for the bezel inserts? I can send those along if need be.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
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#8
11-09-2015, 07:12 PM
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Did you order via Amazon ($83) or the Christolpol site ($63)?
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Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Clearaudio Performance SE. Satisfy tonearm & Maestro Wood MM cartridge. Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables, Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU, Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs, Other:Two PSI Audio AVAA C20, Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack
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#9
11-10-2015, 12:01 AM
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Quote:
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
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#10
11-10-2015, 08:26 PM
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Very nice. If they had one of the originals like in your opening post think it would be a great 'traveling' watch (don't care much if it gets stolen or damaged).
Looks like they offer quite a range of styles. http://meranom.com/vostok-europe/
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Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag Last edited by Formerly YB-2; 11-10-2015 at 08:36 PM.
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