Defakto Watches — MINIMAL/LIST

Raphael Ickler is the young designer behind minimalist German watch company Defakto. He personally oversees the manufacture of their small range of beautifully-made watches.

A few years ago I bought the Eins Incognito, a one-handed watch that does about the least a watch can do: simply telling you the approximate time, to the closest quarter hour. It's my second watch, one which I use mostly for holidays. Matched with Defakto's rubber strap (they have several other strap options), it's ideal for a holiday that combines pool or beach in the day, where it is waterproof to 5 atmospheres (50m), and more formal events in the evening. It's a notable but unassuming timepiece that's far more refined than a Braun, and considerably less-expensive than a Nomos.

Eins Inkognito | Photo Copyright of Defakto

The watch is unique not least for the fact that it can be worn 'properly' by lefties and righties alike, by rotating the strap accordingly. The lack of logo and simple facia accommodate this feature beautifully. It also sports sapphire crystal both front and back, with its automatic motion exposed on the wrist side.

In an era where your Smart Watch requires daily charging, and is constantly reminding you to go to meetings or get more exercise, this achingly minimal timepiece provides a blissful moment of precisely engineered calm.