My watch collection has a new addition in the shape of this Vostok Amphibia Neptune, or just Neptune.
This is a proper Vostok factory Neptune as opposed to Meranom's Neptune which may have better detailing especially on the dial but is also twice as expensive.
Counting this Neptune as a variant of the Amphibia, this makes it already the fifth post-Soviet Amphibia in my collection (see the collection listing on the right).
The bezel is something to like, though it's bi-rotational and doesn't click.
People have been complaining about bracelets on Neptunes, so be warned. Me, I found no major issues with mine, except that it is on the short side, any thicker wrist would require additional links.
Neptune (Latin: Neptūnus [nɛpˈtuːnʊs]) is the god of freshwater, the sea and horses in Roman religion. He is the counterpart of the Greek godPoseidon.
There is even a serial number on the back like on limited edition watches.
It seems I am on a roll as regards adding (affordable) timepieces to my collection, and here is a 2018 Limited Edition Orient RA-AA 0007A09A Mako III aka Kamasu!
As per usual, this post is heavy on pictures and light on words... just turn on your visual perception.
After unboxing... however I should say upfront the box is not a Limited Edition box, just what the store had.
The reference... which is RA-AA 0007A09A
Limited Edition!
Only 2000 in the world and only 70 in Russia! ... and only 1 in my collection!
The blue dial is something special... mother of pearl (MOP), I believe.
Differences from other Kamasus in the series include: the mother of pearl dial, different hands, bezel, sapphire crystal, made in Japan and, of course, the limited edition inscription and a number out of 2000.
The gold-plated bezel looks good also... means you can wear the watch with gold rings on the same hand without committing a style crime (as in combining stainless steel watch and a gold signet).
My Zodiac Signs-themed pocket watch -- a Molnija (read: MOL-nee-yah) with Virgo the Maiden on the dial.
There was a whole series -- 12 pocket watches but this is the only one I have.
Looks like the dial was tastefully hand-painted.
Was somebody doing a bit of nude modelling at the factory?
This watch is early 2000s. It is powered by a Molnija 3602 mechanical movement -- a large pocket watch movement 36 mm in diameter. I opened the back (which opens and closes without problem) and looked at the movement though made no photos this time. However the movement is a later 2000 version movement -- all yellow, minimal markings, reduced jewels, simplifications -- in fact exactly like the movement on this my Molnija pocket watch that I did a post earlier on (link).
My chronograph Okean Final Edition by Volmax using the cal. Poljot / MakTime 3133.
I mentioned it in a previous post on this blog where you can also read a bit on the history of this watch.
Okean 3133 Final Edition and The Serpents Coil by Farley Mowat (Ballantine Books first edition I believe).
The watch is a chronograph using the Poljot (/MakTime) 3133 movement. It has a center stopwatch hand, a small seconds hand at 9 o'clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and also a date at 6 o'clock.
The power reserve is very good almost up to 70 hours on full winding. And it is very pleasant and easy to wind even if the winding crown is not very grippy (maybe it's a defense against overwinding).
Number 020/300
As I said it is not the HdR forum original but a "duplicate" by Volmax. But it is exactly the same, there is not telling it is not one of them. The only difference is it doesn't have the HdR edition box and paperwork.
Sorry for the smudge
Issues:
It was not completely trouble-free however. It has what may be a common problem with (somewhat ill-adjusted) 3133s -- the stopwatch hand sometimes refuses to zero properly at first try. I use a one-minute method -- start the stopwatch again, let the stopwatch hand go a full circle then stop and zero again. Usually it zeros correctly on the second try. I know there are specific solutions to these problems which involve some adjusting and/or oiling certain parts. However I will not even open most of my watches and I certainly won't attempt to adjust a 3133 movement. While going to the watchmaker is impractical (and likely expensive). This problem may have gone away though. I don't even remember when I last observed it.
I have had this chronograph since October 2012. Other than the above issue everything is okay. Not very well adjusted at the factory (or may be it's the fact that it spends most of its time lying on its back rather than being worn on wrist -- too many watches), it goes at + 20 something seconds per 24 hours... which is still within the movement specs though.
