If you’ve been around watches, especially if you’re perusing the affordable mechanical options out there, you’re quite likely aware of the Vostok brand. What you might not be aware of is that they’ve got a more modern design collection, in the form of the Vostok Europe family.
We were sent over one of their GAZ-14 Limousine models for review. Just by looking at the pictures, you can tell this is a chronograph shooting for a more sophisticated style to back up the limo moniker. I wore it in a couple different situations (casual, work, and with a suit) and it blended in well for any of those functions.
Speaking of function, this watch packs in a bit more of that than you might expect from a dressier watch. Most obviously you’ve got the chronograph function. When you start that up, one of the more intriguing bits spring into play.
The sub-dial at 6 o’clock, which normally tracks the seconds (for time, not timing) begins to sweep back and forth in a 180 degree arc. Visually, it’s just fun to watch. Functionally, what it does is denote the 1/20th second, when stopped, that you timed to. You also have the large second hand that sweeps around the dial, and the minutes sub-dial over at 9 o’clock.
Rounding out the dial, you’ve got a 24 hour indicator at 3 o’clock, and a date display just below at 4 o’clock; you also have a tachymeter scale printed around the bezel. The only lume that you’ll find on the watch is found on the hands, but that’s to be expected on a dressier model such as this.
Finally, you’ve got a leather strap holding the 42mm case in place. While the particular pattern on it isn’t my personal preference, it works well with the overall style of the watch. I should also note (since I didn’t earlier) that this watch is powered by a Miyota OS22 quartz movement; this is another departure from the more familiar Vostok models.
Should you be interested, you can pick one of these watches up for about $235 at current exchange rates directly from Vostok EU (plus shipping, I assume); if you opt for Amazon, you’ll be paying around $300. The pricing I feel is borderline for a quartz. On one hand, it feels a touch expensive; however, it can net you a watch that performs a variety of duties for you, and could take the place of at least two different watches.
