Few people have done more to romanticize the wristwatch than Matt Hranek. The WM Brown founder’s 2017 bestseller A Man & His Watch chronicled everything from Paul Newman’s actual Daytona down to a $23 Casio, truly making the case that a watch’s worth lives in its story rather than its price tag (a narrative we can fully get behind). Fitting, then, that when it finally came time to design a watch of his own, Hranek partnered with the most democratic name in the game for the WM Brown x Timex Rectangle.
Brushed Within an Inch of Its Life
Despite the 27mm billing, the tank-shaped stainless steel case actually measures 26.5mm across and 41.3mm lug to lug, with a slim 10mm profile that arcs gently to hug the wrist.
The top surface gets vertical brushing, the flanks run horizontal, and a polished diamond-cut edge splits the two while sharply raked lugs keep the geometry crisp.
A Sundial Hiding at Six O’Clock
The two-tone silver dial keeps things old-school with a full set of Arabic numerals, faceted dauphine-style hands, and a small seconds register down at 6 o’clock. Look a little more closely into that register and you’ll find WM Brown’s sundial logo rendered in subtle relief, and that’s exactly the sort of detail Hranek geeks out over in his books.
Both wordmarks stay small and monochromatic, with the engraved caseback carrying the rest of the branding. Inside sits a Miyota 1L40 quartz movement behind a mineral crystal, plus 50 meters of water resistance.
Strap-or-Bracelet? We’ll Take ‘Em Both
The gift set includes both a stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly deployant clasp alongside a brown leather strap with a matching steel buckle. Both of strap options ride on quick-release spring bars for carefree, tool-less swaps.
And considering Timex’s dress-watch ambitions recently stretched as high as the $1,950 titanium Giorgio Galli S2Ti (penned by a designer Hranek himself has publicly gushed over), a Hranek-designed set at $349 lands squarely in sweet-spot territory.
Spec Sheet
Model: WM Brown x Timex Rectangle (TWG069000)
Case Size: 26.5 x 41.3mm (27mm nominal)
Case Thickness: 10mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Lug Width: 20mm
Dial: Two-tone silver with small seconds
Movement: Miyota 1L40 quartz
Crystal: Mineral glass
Water Resistance: 50m
Band: Brown leather strap + stainless steel bracelet (quick-release)
Limited Edition?: No
Pricing & Availability
The WM Brown x Timex Rectangle gift set is available now for $349, bracelet and strap included, and thankfully it isn’t a limited edition. Head over to Timex’s website to snag one for yourself.
Recap
WM Brown x Timex Rectangle
The author of A Man & His Watch designs his first watch, a $349 tank-style Timex gift set packing both a bracelet and leather strap.
