Is it still ok to wear a Vostok?

[CoupeKid]

At the risk of sounding like some woke “comedian” on The Last Leg I wondered if I’m being utterly ridiculous about feeling uncomfortable wearing my Vostok Amphibia while the Russians are invading Ukraïne?

[Panamax]

Mine are staying in the drawer, along with the 24 hr Raketa. Putin is an embarrassment to civilisation.

Is this Foxtrot submarine still moored at Strood?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_U-475_Blac...

"Black Widow was built at Sudomekh shipyard in Leningrad and commissioned in 1967. It was based at Riga and served with the Soviet Baltic Fleet before being used as a training vessel for crews from overseas who would be operating Foxtrot-class subs in their own navies. It was decommissioned in 1994 and sold."

[blingybongy]

I have retired mine but think it's probably tokenism. After all 99.9% of people won't have the first idea where it's from.
Anyway, the shyte drawer is where my four are and where they are staying. (For now)

Edited by blingybongy on Saturday 26th March 19:09

[Barchettaman]

I’m not wearing mine at the moment. It leaves a sour taste on the wrist, if you see what I mean.

[dudleybloke]

I've had to retire my winter coat for the same reason.

Hopefully it's all calmed down by winter.

Edited by dudleybloke on Saturday 26th March 13:39

[CoupeKid]

Not just me being ridiculous then

[Sam2022]

Wear it with pride.

[gregs656]

I have some jumbled thoughts on this. Firstly I think what Russia are doing in Ukraine is awful, and I think the global economic, humanitarian and military aid response is reassuring.

I also think that your average Russian, particularly the ones who had western facing businesses (like Vostok watch retailers) are probably not supportive of the war (assuming they have access to western news).

Then I think why now? I mean, Russia has been doing some abhorrent things in Syria for some time and we (the west) didn’t go after your average Russian for that. There is an uncomfortable undercurrent there I think.

I also think people happily wear Chinese watches. Presumably because they separate the people of China to the actions of the Chinese government.

Tricky. I get it, I really do. I also think ‘winning’ in the long run means getting the Russian people on side.

[HappyClappy]

If you get offered a brand new AP might want to check the provenance..

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/27/russ...

[BrokenSkunk]

Sam2022 said:

dudleybloke said:

I've had to retire my winter coat for the same reason.

Wear it at Pride.

Fixed that for you.

[orangeLP400]

Now that is funny. 10/10

[catso]

Not worn mine for a while but that's mostly because, though quaint, it's a bit crap.

[Douglas Quaid]

No one other than a watch nerd will have the faintest idea what you’re wearing.

[hungry_hog]

Most of the population won't even recognise an AP, JLC or VC, much less a Vostok. They might recognise a Rolex (or Omega at a push).

The chance of them:

a) recognising what it is
b) knowing it is Russian
c) taking offence at it being Russian
d) vocalising that

Is so small - you are talking about a pool of watch collector nerds I would suspect in the thousands nationwide...unless you spend every waking hour at watch conventions with a photo of the watch projected onto a jumbotron I don't think there is much to worry about

[anonymous-user]

Douglas Quaid said:

No one other than a watch nerd will have the faintest idea what you’re wearing.

hungry_hog said:

Most of the population won't even recognise an AP, JLC or VC, much less a Vostok. They might recognise a Rolex (or Omega at a push).

The chance of them:

a) recognising what it is
b) knowing it is Russian
c) taking offence at it being Russian
d) vocalising that

Is so small - you are talking about a pool of watch collector nerds I would suspect in the thousands nationwide...unless you spend every waking hour at watch conventions with a photo of the watch projected onto a jumbotron I don't think there is much to worry about

I think the point made by the OP, was not about others taking offence or saying something, but that that he doesn't feel comfortable wearing it, and is wondering if others feel the same about their Vostok.

[Drooles]

I haven’t worn any of my Vostoks since all this started. It just doesn’t seem right. I can see the logic to both sides of the argument but it I just don’t feel comfortable wearing one at the moment

[105.4]

CoupeKid said:

At the risk of sounding like some woke “comedian” on The Last Leg I wondered if I’m being utterly ridiculous about feeling uncomfortable wearing my Vostok Amphibia while the Russians are invading Ukraïne?

Yes, IMO you are being utterly ridiculous.

It’s your watch, you paid for it, so bloody wear it.

Do you also not wear Hugo Boss, use IBM or drive VAG products for their links with the Nazis?

Do you steer clear of Toyotas for their links with ISIS & Al Queda?

I’m fact, thanks for your post. I’m about to go and look on eBay to see if I can grab a bargain on a Sturmanskie 3133, and I’ll definitely be wearing my Vostok for work all this week instead of my usual TAG beater.

[mickyh7]

Just paint a Yellow and Blue stripe across the face.
Those that know, will know, those that don't will think your Citizen Smith.
Sorted!

[7mike]

mickyh7 said:

Just paint a Yellow and Blue stripe across the face.
Those that know, will know, those that don't will think your Citizen Smith.
Sorted!

I think Christopher Ward read your post

https://www.christopherward.com/sports-watches/c63...

[shirt]

CoupeKid said:

Not just me being ridiculous then

No, there’s plenty of other nobbers on here besides you