I’ve always appreciated a good rectangular watch (make fun of me all you want for my Reverso opinions), especially when the proportions feel right. It’s a format that can be difficult to execute without getting carried away with the case dimensions or dial design. The latest collaboration between Timex and WM Brown, the lifestyle publication founded by Matt Hranek, caught my attention for those reasons.
The new WM Brown x Timex Rectangle is a quartz-powered dress watch priced at $349. It comes with a stainless steel case, a vintage-inspired dial, and both leather and steel bracelet options. Timex has collaborated with everyone from Todd Snyder to Noah, and I think this latest partnership makes sense given Hranek’s interest in watches and traditional menswear.
The case is probably my favorite part of the release. At approximately 26.5mm wide and 41.3mm long, the Rectangle sticks to fairly traditional dimensions for this style of watch. The downward-sloping lugs are particularly interesting, with angular surfaces that extend from the case and transition into the strap. There’s also a combination of brushed finishing and polished chamfers that should help define those edges.
I think Timex made the right call by keeping the proportions relatively modest. Rectangular watches can look awkward when brands try to scale them up, and this design seems comfortable with its smaller footprint. There’s an obvious resemblance to the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, although the Timex takes a slightly different approach with its lugs and case construction.
The dial is equally restrained. A railroad minute track frames vertically arranged Arabic numerals, while dauphine-style hands and a small seconds subdial at six o’clock round things out. WM Brown’s target logo is incorporated into the seconds display, and the branding remains relatively subtle.
To me, the dial works because everything has enough room to breathe. The typography, handset, and small seconds placement all seem appropriate for the case. I also appreciate that Timex resisted the temptation to cover the dial with additional text.
Inside, you’ll find a Miyota quartz movement. The watch also features a mineral crystal and 50 meters of water resistance. Nothing particularly unusual there, and that’s where the $349 asking price becomes a little tougher to ignore.
I don’t have an issue with quartz in a dress watch like this. In fact, I think it makes sense for something intended to be thin, simple, and easy to wear. Still, $349 is a fair amount of money for a Timex with a fairly basic movement and mineral crystal.
The included straps help make the package more interesting. There’s a brown leather option with a traditional pin buckle and a stainless steel H-link bracelet with a butterfly clasp. Both use quick-release hardware, and I like that Timex included two options that suit the case’s more formal and casual sides.
My take is that Timex and WM Brown have put together a watch with a clear sense of direction. The case geometry is interesting, the dial feels balanced, and the smaller dimensions are a welcome choice. I’d still want to handle one before drawing conclusions about the finishing or whether the price is justified.
At $349, there’s plenty of competition. But I think this is one of those Timex releases where the design alone is enough to get me interested in seeing it in person.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.