If my teenage son and his friends are anything to go by, it would seem that styles and trends of the ‘90s are back in a big way. Baggy jeans, skateboarding, and vinyl records all feature heavily here, and it’s a shift that brands are taking notice of. What’s new and exciting for Gen Z is a healthy dose of nostalgia for the rest of us, so I suppose it works on multiple levels. A new brand called Vostra (from the folks behind RZE) is looking to tap directly into this loop with a new watch called, fittingly enough, the Vector. Yes, it’s another VK63 meca-quartz equipped watch, but the novelty of the Vectra goes beyond its feature set. There’s a lifestyle angle to this brand, and that’s a big part of the appeal.
Vostra is an Italian word that translates to ‘yours’ or belonging to you, and that’s a driving force behind bringing this creative vision to life in a way that translates in an emotional way to the user. Beyond watches, Vostra also sells things like dice, key chains, and ring watches, each of which help establish a visual identity that feels part 1950s Vegas, and part late 80s Americana in nature. That foundation allows plenty of space to play with thematically, not just in watch designs, but even with things like the box it comes in. The nostalgia play can’t just be a gimmick, it takes getting the small details right by treating them with respect.
The Vectra is a funky 40mm chronograph with an angular case, a 12 sided bezel, and a flat link semi-integrated bracelet. The focal point of the watch are the dial colors, of which there are three: atomic blue, electro yellow, and gamma grey. Those names alone should tell you a lot about what’s going on here, but the colors themselves aren’t over the top in any way, remaining relatively approachable from a wearability standpoint. The colors are handled in a sensible way with a single logical accent color for each. So while the tone is playful, the design of the watch itself is, in comparison, relatively reserved. In fact, I think they could have pushed further, but then you run the risk of alienating some potential buyers. Still, if you’re going this route, lean into it, I say.
The dial itself is set deep within the case, and surrounded by a steeply raked rehaut with chapter ring. Contrasting sub-dials flank the hand stack, with the running seconds set on the bare dial at six o’clock with an integrated date aperture. The case measures 13mm in thickness, and it can be had with a rubber strap as well, so wearability should be pretty tidy all in all, if a bit tanky. It’s a fun package that’s presented well, but isn’t exactly breaking any new ground, and that’s just fine for what this watch is.
The Vector is just the beginning of what will surely be a fun brand to keep an eye on, and one that will have broad appeal thanks to a low price of entry. The Vector is priced at $279 on its bracelet, with rubber straps available for $49. I hope to see them further flesh out the potential of these designs and the brand as a whole, particularly when it comes to their ‘widgets and wonders’. Until then, learn more at Vostra.