Defakto is a small German watchmaker that has made a name for itself over the years thanks to the unique, but classic designs it boasts thanks to mark founder Raphael Ickler. The latest watch from Ickler and Defakto, the Vektor[1], continues this tradition of smart, minimalist looks, but adds a very slim case thanks to use of a Miyota 9015 automatic Japanese movement, and brings some extra retro appeal with a domed plexiglass front sphere and manually bent-minute and second hands that follow the curve of the dome.
As a whole, Defakto has long been one of my favourite smaller watchmakers, since it makes affordable (in watch world terms) timepieces with quality components, featuring case and face designs that are at once visually spare and yet also striking. The Vektor might be my favorite yet from Defakto, however, thanks to a combination of a small, 39mm case and height of only 9.8mm including that domed plexiglass. The red-hued hands in the version I reviewed (there’s also a black on white model) stand out strongly against the black face, as do the fine but easily readable white minute and hour indicators.
This watch also features a stainless steel polished case, which adds very little additional size and weight to the overall design, but helps accentuate its 50s-ish retro charm. The included German-made black soft cowhide strap completes the picture from a design standpoint, but also feels very comfortable even for all-day wear, with a supple, soft finish on the brown underside where it sits on your wrist.
There’s a display caseback too, giving you a look at the Miyota movement with a custom-engraved rotor for automatic winding, and the slender movement itself has some nice detail work with polished striations and...