Soviet Vostok Amphibia Automatic Diver, Horse Dial Caliber 2416Б 1980s USSR
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1 / 12Vostok Amphibia Automatic — Soviet Dive Watch with Horse Head Dial, Caliber 2416Б, Late 1980s
A genuine Soviet-era Vostok Amphibia in the round case, fitted with the automatic 2416Б movement and a striking black dial featuring a horse head motif. This one came across the bench, was fully serviced at the beginning of June 2026, and now keeps accurate time. It is a solid, substantial watch on the wrist — and it has survived the decades remarkably well.
Dial
Glossy black dial with applied luminous baton markers and an outer minute track. The centerpiece is a hand-painted horse head, an unusual design you don't see on standard Amphibias. Below the hands sit the maker's text — Восток, 21 камень (21 jewels), and Сделано в СССР (Made in USSR) — confirming Soviet production. The framed date window sits at 3 o'clock. The seconds hand is bright orange, which gives the otherwise tool-watch dial a real splash of character. The hour and minute hands carry their original lume.
Movement
Inside is the Vostok caliber 2416Б, marked SU (the Soviet export designation). It is Vostok's in-house automatic, and the technical data is straightforward:
- Self-winding (bidirectional rotor) with manual winding also available via the crown
- 21 jewels
- 24 mm movement diameter
- Beat rate 19,800 vph (2.75 Hz)
- Instant-change date
- Power reserve approximately 31 hours
- Safety device protecting the mainspring from overwinding
After service it runs to accurate time — no surprises, just a reliable Soviet automatic doing its job.
Case
The classic round Amphibia case in chrome-plated brass, with a stainless steel screw-in case back — the standard construction for Soviet Amphibias of this era. It carries the friction dive bezel with its red-and-black countdown scale. This is a heavy, masculine piece — it has real presence on the wrist.
- Case material: chrome-plated brass, stainless steel case back
- Case dimensions: 43 mm × 47 mm (lug to lug)
- Thickness with crystal: 13 mm
- Lug width: 18 mm
- Screw-down crown
- Acrylic crystal
- Screw-in case back marked Водонепроницаемые · Автоподзавод (Waterproof · Automatic)
The Amphibia series was rated to 200 m (20 ATM) when new. That said, this is a 30-plus-year-old watch, so I'd treat it as a daily-wear piece and keep it away from water — gaskets of this age should not be trusted for diving.
Bracelet
It comes on its original Soviet stainless steel bracelet, adjustable, with a double folding clasp. The clasp carries the period markings НЕРЖ (stainless steel) and a price stamp — the kind of detail that tells you it's the correct era hardware and not a modern replacement. Fits the 18 mm lugs.
Era & Condition
Late 1980s, Chistopol Watch Factory (Vostok). The watch is very well preserved and presents close to new — the dial, hands, case and bracelet have all aged gracefully. Fully serviced at the start of June 2026: cleaned, lubricated, and regulated to keep accurate time. It looks great on the wrist and wears like the proper tool watch it was built to be.
What You Get
A serviced, running Soviet Vostok Amphibia automatic with its original bracelet — a genuine piece of USSR watchmaking, ready to wear.
Overview
- Period
- 1980s
- Factory
- Chistopol Watch Factory
Movement
- Movement
- Automatic
- Caliber
- 2416
- Jewels
- 21 jewels
Case size
- Diameter (Ø)
- 43 mm
- Weight
- 200 g
Case
- Case material
- Chrome-plated
- Case finish
- Chrome-plated
Dial, hands & crystal
- Dial color
- Black
Condition & service
Condition: Fully serviced
Carefully packed and sent with tracking — typically 7–21 business days depending on destination.
Every watch is a genuine Soviet-era original, inspected and (where noted) serviced before it ships.
If it isn't right, return it within 14 days for a refund — just get in touch and we'll sort it out.
A Soviet mechanical watch has no battery — it runs on a tiny wound spring, just as it did decades ago. Treat it kindly and it will keep good time for many years. Here is how to wind, set and care for yours.
Winding a hand-wound watch
- Wind it off your wrist. Hold the watch in one hand so you do not put sideways stress on the winding stem.
- Turn the crown clockwise (away from you) with your thumb and forefinger, in smooth, steady turns.
- Stop as soon as you feel firm resistance. Do not force that last turn — a fully wound spring stops abruptly, and pushing past it can damage the mainspring.
- A full wind lasts roughly 24–40 hours. Winding once a day, at about the same time, keeps the watch running and accurate.
Automatic (self-winding) models
Some Soviet watches — certain Vostok and Slava models — wind themselves from the motion of your wrist. If one has stopped, give the crown 20–30 gentle turns to get it started, then simply wear it. You cannot over-wind a healthy automatic.
Setting the time & date
- Gently pull the crown out to the setting position and turn it to move the hands. Setting the time forwards (clockwise) is kindest to the movement.
- If your watch has a date, avoid changing it between roughly 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. The date mechanism is engaged during those hours and forcing it can break it — move the hands to mid-morning first, then set the date.
- Push the crown fully back in when you are finished.
Everyday care
- Keep it dry. Vintage watches are not water resistant, even if marked so decades ago. Take it off before washing your hands, swimming or showering.
- Avoid magnets — speakers, phones, laptops and magnetic clasps can magnetise the movement and make it run fast.
- Avoid knocks. Take the watch off for sport or heavy work.
- A vintage movement that keeps time to within about a minute or two a day is running well. Small variation is normal and part of their charm.
Storage & service
When you are not wearing it, store the watch flat in its box, away from heat and moisture. There is no need to keep it fully wound at all times. To keep it healthy, have it professionally serviced every 3–5 years — a clean and fresh lubrication is what lets these watches run, quite literally, for generations.
Look after it and your Soviet Time piece will outlast its battery-powered cousins many times over. If anything ever feels wrong, write to support@soviet-time.com. You can also review our Returns & guarantee. — Igor, your watchmaker
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