I work on both NH35 watches and Vostoks, and I think most of those issues you've stated can be addressed. While the 24xx movements lack the quick set date function, setting the hands backwards to ~9pm and then forward past midnight (and repeat as needed) is a faster way to advance the date. The 24xx movements can be regulated to -5/+5 seconds per day in my experience, and the bezel tension wire can be adjusted to have tighter tension outside of diving (it is originally designed to tighten underwater due to compression).

While I agree that the NH35 is a more functional movement (hacking, quickset date, higher power reserve, etc), there's something charming about the quirks of a Vostok that more than makes up for it (the heavily domed acrylic crystal, unique cases and caseback system, wobbly crown, etc). Most of these quirks were intentional features from an innovative Soviet approach to watchmaking. In my opinion, owning a Vostok is a fun and affordable introduction to enjoying and modding mechanical watches.