Founded in 1942 during World War II and located in the Republic of Tatarstan, Chistopol, Russia, Vostok (or to use its complete name, Chistopolsky Chasovoj Zavod 'Vostok' [Chistopol Watch Factory 'Vostok']) is a leader in the production of men's watches and one of only two Russian watch factories manufacturing automatic movements.
Actively supported by the authorities of Tatarstan, Vostok manufactures in addition to watches, maritime clocks, alarm watches, tachographs (including a joint venture with Mannesman which are entirely for export), water and gas counters, and delivers escapements to one of the largest European clock manufacturers.

A Russian 'manufacture'
A genuine 'manufacture', Vostok produces everything from start to finish - including balance springs - and its current movements are the most modern in Russia. As quartz watches were never produced by Vostok, the company has managed to totally preserve its production capacities for mechanical movements using modern equipment and machinery and fully trained personnel.

Vostok has a production capacity of about 2 million movements a year both in standard and decorated variants. During the last year the watchmakers of the factory developed several non-standard movements, which are already in great demand among watch connoisseurs. There are now 5 different calibres, manually wound and automatic, with standard and decorated variants.

The production facilities have recently been modernized because of Vostok's cooperation with a European company, which includes equipment for the production of balances and a processing centre for the production
of cases.

The models
Vostok's most famous watch brands are the 'Komandirskie' which is the official watch of the Russian Paratroop Forces, the 'Amphibia' the first and the only diver's watch in Russia, and the one used by the Soviet submarine special forces. The 'Amphibia' watches were also offered by the Pentagon to participants of the Desert Shield operation.


http://www.vostok-inc.com
Contact: [email protected]
(please credit Europa Star)

Source: Europa Star magazine
September 2003