Timemore × Matt Winton Crystal Eye Vector – Pour-Over Dripper with Stainless Steel Core
The water meets the coffee bed, the grounds rise for a moment, and beneath them the brew drains evenly, without stalling towards the end.
The Vector is a hand dripper from the Crystal Eye series by Timemore, developed with Matt Winton, who won the World Brewers Cup for Switzerland in 2021.
More contact, more flow
Most drippers control the flow by slowing it down. Matt Winton brought along an observation that sounds paradoxical at first: more contact points between the filter paper and the dripper wall can speed up the flow rather than slow it down. That is why the inside of the Vector holds a dense, staggered grid of ribs. It supports the paper, lets air circulate and distributes the water evenly across the coffee bed.
Timemore describes the design as three zones and five levels. At the top, a stabilizing zone holds the paper against the wall; in the middle, a sealing zone separates the upper section from the lower one; at the bottom, the flow picks up level by level in an acceleration zone. Six openings along the top rim balance the air pressure inside and out, so the paper sits cleanly against the wall and the bloom develops evenly.
Heat that stays in the coffee bed
The brewing core is made of 304 stainless steel and quickly reaches the temperature of the coffee bed. A thermal sleeve made of food-grade ABS keeps the heat inside and the outside cool to the touch. Temperature determines which of the more than 800 compounds in coffee dissolve: a higher temperature brings more body, a slightly lower one lets more complexity and aroma through. A brewer that holds its heat makes this balance more consistent from one brew to the next.
A locking ring with a precise thread holds the core and sleeve together and comes off just as easily for cleaning. And much of what finally arrives in the cup is something you experience through your nose: as you swallow, aroma compounds rise through the throat to the olfactory mucosa. Taste and smell cannot be separated.
At a glance
| Collaboration |
Timemore × Matt Winton |
| Series |
Crystal Eye |
| Filter paper |
Size 01 |
| Dose |
10–18 g coffee |
| Brewing core |
304 stainless steel |
| Thermal sleeve |
food-grade ABS |
| Structure |
3 zones, 5 levels, 6 air vents |
| Dripper dimensions |
107 × 107 × 76 mm |
| Base dimensions |
107 × 107 × 15 mm |
| Weight |
ca. 390 g |
| Color |
Black |
Who it's made for
For everyone who brews filter coffee by hand and is looking for a dripper that stays forgiving day to day. The 01 size keeps it compact, and at up to 18 g it holds more coffee than you would expect from a cone this size. Whether it's one cup in the morning or two for a Sunday – every path to coffee is valid.
A dripper made of plastic, glass or ceramic makes equally wonderful filter coffee. You choose the Vector because the idea behind it appeals to you, for the weight of the stainless steel in your hand, perhaps also for the story of a world champion from Switzerland. If you want it, you know why. Our opinion is one of many – and as a partner of Timemore, we have more Crystal Eye drippers for you in our Timemore Collection.
What goes with it
A pour-over thrives on calm, even pouring. For everyone who wants a gooseneck kettle that is affordable and precise: the Hario V60 Buono or the Flair Café Kettle with temperature control. If you want more: the smart Varia AURA Gooseneck. All of them are in the Gooseneck Kettles collection.
Coffee is best ground fresh. For everyone who wants a grinder that is affordable and precise: the Comandante C40 or a Timemore hand grinder, or the Varia VS3 if you prefer electric. If you want more: Varia VS6, Weber Workshops EG-1 or Option-O Lagom – all in our selection of coffee grinders. For the ratio of coffee to water, a scale belongs in the set-up: Normcore, compact and precise, or Acaia with app, flow rate display and Bluetooth – both in our selection of coffee scales. You'll find size 01 paper filters in the Hario Collection.
Frequently asked questions about the Timemore Vector
Which filter papers fit the Vector?
Standard size 01 paper filters. Despite its compact size, the interior is designed to take doses from 10 to 18 g without stalling towards the end.
Who is Matt Winton?
Matt Winton won the World Brewers Cup in 2021, representing Switzerland. He is a member of the Timemore Advisory Board and co-developed the Vector.
How does the Vector differ from a classic cone dripper?
Instead of slowing the flow down, a dense grid of contact points stabilizes and speeds up the drawdown. Six air vents balance the air pressure, and a stainless steel core with an insulating sleeve keeps the heat in the coffee bed.
Which recipe should I start with?
There is no right or wrong. One possible starting point is 15 g of coffee to around 240 g of water, so roughly 1:16. From there, you adjust the grind size and ratio to your taste. Our opinion is one of many.
How do I clean the Vector?
Undo the locking ring, and the brewing core and thermal sleeve come apart so you can rinse each of them with warm water.
Can I see the product before buying?
Yes, we're happy to show you the Vector in our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich (Hagenholzstrasse 50b); it's best to ask us shortly beforehand whether it's there at the moment.
Roastery Tip
In a pour-over, dense, round roasts also show what they have to offer. Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight bring chocolate, caramel and nutty notes to the cup with plenty of body. If you're after maximum body without any acidity, there's Very Nutty. And for everyone who would like to discover something fruity in their filter, Wild Peach is a lovely side note. That is our recommendation, one of many.
