In the cosmos of watch brands, not everything is prestige, lofty brand history, and complicated, exquisitely adorned and decorated mechanisms. Sometimes designs from small, lesser known, indeed…young!…brands just jump out at you, and make you smile. Such was immediately the case when I caught wind of the Defakto Transit Futur Perfekt V2 watch you see here. A deft combination of focused Bauhaus sensibility, supreme legibility and an absolutely delightful light show in the form of some glorious lume, this is a simple, time-only watch one could pull out at just about anytime for a refreshing perspective on the oft-unsung joy of presenting information clearly. Just don’t forget your high-powered LED flashlight, because were it me, I’d be hitting the dial with it and finding just about any silly excuse to duck in to dimly lit areas and witness that brightly glowing ruddy orange second hand sweeping over its hour and minute mates in pale blue. (And afterwards: “What damn time was it again??” And, in my nerdy fascination about the lume…I would’ve doubtless already forgotten!)
Defakto is indeed a young brand, founded just thirteen years ago, by Raphael Ickler, who sought to create watches with a clear, focused aesthetic, quality materials, and exceptional value for dollar, or Deutschmark, as the case may be. While a decidedly youthful entrepreneur with a vision all his own, Rafael’s family is not new to the watch business, the Ickler company heading a dependable and well-regarded manufacturer of quality watch cases and other accessories from the mid-1920s onward. “German Made Puristic Watches” is right on the homepage, and there you have it right from the source! A perusal of the Pforzheim-based brand’s website reveals a very appealing range of watches that have a distinctive character that stand out from the crowd, yet all do so in a discreet, yet uniquely confident way. That’s a hard line to walk, but Defakto seems to keenly understand the tempo and distance of the strides needed to make their mark in a crowded and often imitative industry.
The watch under contemplation this day is not entirely new. It’s based on a model, the Transit Standard, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of the brand, and earned a top prize from the German Design Award committee in 2020. Like the Standard model, the Futur Perfekt V2 has a subtly contrasted, brushed case measuring 40mm from side-to-side, 44mm from lug to lug, and just 9.8mm in height. The eagle-eyed and refined of touch will note the presence of multiple directional finishes on the case and lugs, yet all of this is contained within the extremely modest context of a brushed theme. For those disinclined for any ostentation, I can’t really think of a more appealing presentation, and it totally works with the stunning sunburst dial, leaving that element to do the coloratura singing. Regarding that, this is where the V2 really stands out from its award winning fundamental: it shows off a radial sunburst pattern that gives the otherwise somewhat spartan and very stark dial a totally different level of spice! Not that the standard matte model was lacking in any way, but this metallic sunburst has a level of sophistication that sets it apart, giving it a quality that is decidedly less tool-like, and almost verging upon…formal. To be sure, a dress watch this isn’t, but with the reasonable dimensions, and subtle light play of the dial texture, you have a watch that can effortlessly transition from less to more casual situations with exceptional ease. The matte black calfskin strap certainly works here, but this is a watch that will surely beg for some strap experimentation from its owner. And on that point, the fact that Defakto opted for the near-universal 20mm lug spacing again shows great intelligence and foresight in letting customers play and enjoy. Bravo, Defakto!
And how about the movement? Well, for just over 1,000 Euros, you won’t be receiving a caliber worthy of Philippe Dufour (or Patek Philippe, even). What you will get, however, is a tried and tested friend, the stalwart ETA 2824–a long-produced and dependable “tracteur“. This legendary workhorse movement has been used to power countless excellent watches over the decades, from vintage Tudor Submariners, to higher-end pieces by independent watchmakers who have used modified versions to power an array of complex modules, and plenty in between. Reliable and usefully precise, the ETA 2824’s long production run assures that spare parts will be plentiful for many years to come, and your local, reputable watchmaker will be comfortable to service and care for it. That in turn means you can focus on the wearing enjoyment of this beautiful, versatile, and conversation worthy German watch. Don’t wait too long to put your order in, though–Defakto will be offering just thirty pieces of the Futur Perfekt V2, with ten percent of the sales proceeds going to the Doctors Without Borders organization.
