Hands-On With The Vostra Vector: A Retro-Futuristic Chronograph

June 24, 2013

Theres a certain kind of satisfaction that only a chronograph can offer - the tactile click of the pushers, the sweep of the seconds hand, the quiet excuse to time things that probably do not need timing at all. You know exactly what I mean; we all do it. The problem is that many chronographs either feel too precious for everyday wear or too expensive to enjoy without a little anxiety.That is where the fun little Vostra Vector steps in. This is the debut release from Vostra Designs, a new brand concept from the team behind RZE, and it immediately feels like a watch made by enthusiasts who remember what first pulled them into this hobby. Rather than chasing specs for the sake of it, the Vector is built around a simple idea: a chronograph that looks interesting, feels robust, and encourages you to actually use it. Oh, and its super affordable to boot.More than a dash of 70s AmericanaVisually, the Vector leans hard into retro-futurism, and it does so pretty confidently. The angular case, 12-sided bezel, and flat-link bracelet bring together influences that feel lifted from another era but not in a way that feels forced or overly nostalgic. It immediately reminded me of mid-century industrial design, classic American muscle cars, and that optimistic 70s-tinged vision of the future that never quite arrived.And yes, there is also a strong Fallout energy in the branding here. That probably explains why the Vector clicked with me so quickly. Fallout has always been one of my favorite game series, not only for the storytelling but also for the visual language. That blend of atomic-age optimism, bold typography, and slightly awkward futurism has always felt strangely comforting. Seeing some of that same spirit reflected in the Vectors design automatically gives it a little extra goodwill from my side. It feels nostalgic without seeming stuck in the past.Vostra s Vector is built to be wornWhat makes the Vector work is that the design is backed up by real-world practicality. This is not a chronograph that needs to be handled with care. With water resistance to 100 meters, a sapphire crystal, and a screw-down crown, it is clearly meant to live on the wrist rather than in a watch box. It feels like the kind of watch you can put on in the morning and forget about, in the best possible way.With a 40mm diameter and a 47mm lug-to-lug, the Vector sits comfortably in that sweet spot where it works on a wide range of wrists. The bracelet deserves a special mention as well. Vintage-inspired bracelets often look great in photos and feel lackluster in reality, but Vostra has clearly spent time getting this right. It has the visual character of a bracelet from a 70s sports watch but boasts solid construction and none of the usual annoyances. Possibly my favorite detail of this watch, though, is the lack of a tachymeter. Nobody uses those things; theyre so unnecessary… The dial follows the same restrained approach. A matte finish keeps everything calm and readable, while the applied indexes and baton hands, both filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova, do exactly what they should. Despite housing a chronograph and date, the layout never feels busy. It is clean, balanced, and pretty easy to live with. This watch balances fun with practicality, which is not always the easiest of tasks.The right movement for the jobPowering the Vector is the VK63 mecha-quartz movement, and this feels like a thoughtful decision rather than a compromise. A full mechanical chronograph would have pushed the price into a very different category, along with the servicing costs and long-term considerations that come with it. The Vector was always meant to be a fun watch, and the price required for a mechanical movement makes fun a lot more difficult to swallow.Instead, the VK63 offers something genuinely enjoyable. The pushers have a crisp, mechanical feel, the chronograph hand jumps in 1/5-second increments, and the reset snaps back smoothly. You get the satisfaction of using a chronograph without the background stress of ownership. It encourages use rather than caution, which feels very much in line with the overall ethos of the watch.In a world of waiting, the Vector is available nowThe Vostra Vector originally launched on Kickstarter but is now available to purchase directly from the Vostra website. It comes in three colorways on the flat-link bracelet and ships immediately. The Vector costs just US$279. Its not going to break the bank for fun, everyday wear. That pricing feels quite well judged for whats on offer and makes the Vector accessible without feeling disposable.At its core, this watch is about enjoyment. It s about opening the box, strapping it on, pressing the pushers a few times for no real reason, and smiling while you do it. At least thats how I felt when I first tried it on.The Vostra Vector is a watch worth your timeThe Vector is never going to be the pinnacle of your collection, but thats not what its trying to be. If you want a fun, affordable, and super wearable mecha-quartz chrono, youre in the right place.If you love the look of quirky vintage 70s chronographs but want something you can actually wear every day, without worrying about cost or fragility, the Vector makes a very strong case for itself. And if retro-futurism, Americana design, and a little Fallout-inspired nostalgia speak to you, this one might hit closer to home than you expect.Watch specifications Brand Vostra Model Vector (Atomic Blue) Dial Matte blue with two white sub-dials and white minute/seconds track, orange accents, date window, applied indexes with Super-LumiNova, and baton hands with Swiss Super-LuminovaCase Material Stainless steel with matte finishCase Dimensions 40mm (diameter) 47mm (length) 13mm (thickness)Crystal Sapphire with underside AR coatingCase Back Stainless steel with Viton gasket, screw-in Movement Seiko VK63: mecha-quartz, accurate to 20 seconds per monthWater Resistance 100 meters (10 atm)Strap Stainless steel single-row bracelet with matte finish and push-button butterfly claspFunctions Time (central hours and minutes, 24-hour and sub-seconds registers), date, chronograph (30-minute register, central seconds),Price US$279