Do People Collect Vostok Watches?

Vostoks are popular watches and people certainly collect them. A large number of collectors have at least one in their collection. However, does this mean they are collectible?

Yes and no. People mainly will collect Vostok because they are cheap and fun, rather than for their value or rarity.

Vintage Russian Watches

There are a lot of watch collectors who are very interested in vintage Russian watches and of course some Vostok models will fall into this collection category.

Older and rarer watches are more sought after and watches with “Made in USSR” on the dial will usually be very collectable.

Like any kind of vintage watch collecting, you really need to know what you are doing. It can be very easy to buy something with no value because it isn’t an original or rare enough.

If you are just getting into watch collecting I would stay clear of vintage watches until you can study them in a bit more depth. It can be a real midfield and you need to understand how to navigate the area properly before you begin.

New Watches

For most people, they buy their Vostok new. Vostoks are cheap and easy to get. There is no real need to buy second hand when their availably is so high. Most people also do not like to get involved with second hand watches, as like I said above it can be riddled with problems and danger.

Do They Hold Value?

This is a really difficult question to answer to answer as no one can tell what is going to happen in the future. At the moment they do not really hold their value.

There are so many Vostoks out in the world and the availability of them is very high. No one is going to pay more for a watch that is beat up and used when they can very easily still buy it brand new.

As we know the future is not set and we never know what is happen. One day the Vostok on your wrist could become the last model of its kind that is still working and for some reason everyone wants it. If this happens, you may find it suddenly becomes very valuable. The watch market is really simple. It’s merely supply and demand.

Don’t Buy Vostoks To Speculate

If you are thinking of buying Vostoks, or any watch for that matter, with the hope that they may go up in value, don’t bother.

While I am sure there are plenty of people who are smarter than me and have more inside knowledge of the watch industry, I just feel that for the most of us, we are simply guessing what might happen in the future. Collecting watches in the hope that they go up in value seems as hopefully as trying to win the lottery.

Collect watches to enjoy them, not because you speculate they might go up in value. If you happen to have one that does suddenly become very rare and collectable in a few decades’ times, then that is just a happy bonus to being able to have enjoyed the watch.

(You can read morea bout – How Are Vostok Watches So Cheap?)

Why Collect Vostok Watches?

Vostoks may not be rare or hold their value, but people still love to collect them for the following reasons.

Affordability

Vostoks are extremely cheap. There is no real barrier to entry. You could easily order one today and not be out of pocket. I currently have three and I think the combined total of them is £110.

When you start to look at what they are, this price is even crazier. Three original and uniquely designed and engineered mechanical watches all built in house for £110! I have spent more money than this on just one homage!

For price and value it is really hard to beat Vostok. Casio can rival them, but they have mastered the quartz and digital market, for mechanical, Vostok is king!

(You can read more about – Where Is The Best Place To Buy Vostok Watches?)

Lots Of Variety

The options available from Vostok are huge. You can spend hours on their website just going through all the different case shapes and dials. You could very easily own a number of Vostoks and they would all look so different. This is made even more extreme by the fact they are very easily modded.

This means there is really an endless amount of watches you can collect from this one brand. It’s exactly like Casio and how they have just a massive range of digital watches.

If you start to collect Vostoks, you will always still be able to find something new and exciting that you want to buy from their store.

Unique

Vostoks are also really unique. They are going to stand out in your collection. Everything about them is different and when you mix this with the massive variety of options to choose form, you are going to end up with a very unique and individual watch in your collection.

While I absolutely love the big luxury watch brands and those style of watches, it is kind of clichéd to have this type of watch in your collection. It’s almost expected and it’s kind of boring (even if I still love them).

If someone pulls out a Vostok from their watch box, it’s far more unique and quirky. This is especially true if you are showing your watches to someone who doesn’t really know much about the hobby.

Reliable

When we are collecting watches, we want to collect something that is actually going to last and a Vostok will certainly do that. They are very reliable and hard working watches. While they may be full of quirks and not the most accurate, they are certainly reliable.

It is suggested that you should get a Vostok serviced every 10 years, which is well over twice the length of time of the average watch is given. They are built like tanks and will just keep running. Once you get one in your collection it is going to last you a very long time, if not outlive you.

(You can read more about – Are Vostok Movements Good?)

They are Just A Lot Of Fun

When you put everything together the watch sounds great, but the most important part is when it is on your wrist. They are just extremely fun watches to wear. All their unique characteristics and rich history just all add up to make the whole experience of wearing them fun.

If you are going to collect watches, you want watches that you enjoy. For me, Vostok bring me a lot of joy.  Sometimes I can’t really explain it. You just need to put on your wrist and see if it makes you smile.

(You can read more about – Are Vostok Watches Worth The Money?)

Conclusion

Do people collect Vostoks, yes, they are cheap and fun as well as being really unique. If you do not have one in your collection, you should really get hold of one and give them a go. They are really cool.

Do we expect them to ever become valuable and collectable? Absolutely not! Maybe my Vostoks will end up in the hands of a vintage Russian watch collector in 50 years time, but for now, I am just expecting to enjoy them and let them bring a smile to my face. If they do go up in value, that is just a happy surprise.

(You can read more about – Why Do People Love Vostok Watches?)