First Impressions | Casio MQ-27-1B - The Blacktangle.
- Alvin
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
Once upon a time, last month, it began. And so, it continues. And what's this, two posts in a week? Yes, well this one was planned and the other was on a whim after seeing that Tudor Monarch, oooweee I like that. This then is the second purchase of the year, and it is another non-round watch that was bought for a number of very good reasons, at least I think they are... But would the right angular proportions find a home-sweet-home on my famously rather slim arm ankle. The Blacktangle, cos it's black and it's rectangular, obviously. Or Casio Black Tank, that works too, as does Casio Dark Tank / Casio Tank Dark. Or the Blacktankle, ok yea, I took it too far. Let's move on.
The simplest of designs, the simplest of pleasures that only God Tier can deliver.
Why this watch now?
As I mentioned this watch was bought for three reason, three good reasons. The first - for unfussy God Tier travel style; the second - to test the non-round watch on the skinny wrist. And the third, cos it's cheap as chips. Oh and four, you can never have too many Casio watches. God Tier son, yup. I have been on a few travels this year, to Krakow (Poland), Luxembourg, Paris and India (Goa, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi - the last three are part of a popular tourist route called the Golden Triangle). I haven't travelled much since Covid, so it's nice to get back into it, but naturally it makes me think of which watches I will take. As I continue my healthy lifestyle and embrace my skinny wrist, the watches have become slimmer.
It's tidy little package that I didn't know existed until about month ago as I was in a web search fugue state looking at non-round watches. It's the perfect tester, cheap, light (19 grams in Resin) and skinny wrist compatible at 37.2 × 26.5 × 8 mm. Oh and I paid around £20, though I've seen it as high as £60 and as low as £10, which is suspect on both ends. A bargain indeed, and it fits well, with a touch of dead-strap (when it flaps back around the skinny wrist).
Rectangles and Squares.
So, how do I feel about my first proper rectangular watch, do the proportions work, does it sit well? I feel good, the proportions work on the slim wrist (now 16.5cm / 6.5 inch I think) and it sits really well. I just defaulted to it on my travels, it's so low key and easy to wear, it goes with most outfits. It's a joy really, it has all the right angles for my wrist. I'm sold. I love it, and angular watches may just be the way forward for me. When I decided to buy a few smaller watches, I did consider that the Cartier Tank and it's cousins might be the answer but maybe the jump was to severe, from a 42mm Rolex Explorer to a Cartier Tank 27mm, it was weird. The smaller watches, like the Nomos have helped the transition and it seems I am a changed watch bro. The Casio Tank Dark is not too small though, it has the perfect proportions really, and I have found that if the strap is the same width as the watch it serves to give it a good amount of girth and a solid presence. There's nothing wrong with a smaller width strap but I find that might be a the next level of perceived feminine form and fit. Interesting new dimensions of watch ownership are revealing themselves and it has relit my fire so to speak.
Now what?
Well, seeing as I'm back in the game, back from an inspiring holiday and will continue to work out and explore new avenues of watch ownership, I think I'm feeling frisky and that usually means I'm feeling spendy. When I was in New Delhi Airport last week, I tried on the Raymond Weil Millesime small seconds 35mm, salmon dial and it was god damn perfect. I'm not surprised the first iteration won a GHG prize. Also, it would have been my third RW, fanboy much. I wore my tuxedo to a wedding reception in Goa, and I wore my RW Toccata, it was also the perfect choice to travel with, low key but perfect design. As for the Millesime, I wish I'd bought it as it was a bargain at £1322, RRP £1950 - I second guessed myself - maybe I was too square at that point. The small seconds can sometimes hinder a dial but they have nailed it and it's a touch thick so it's got some presence. Next time...
Images: raymond-weil.com
I have my eye on another rectangular piece of Chinese origin, it's a sensible way to keep going, no JLC Reverso tings, the sensible experiment shall continue. I will also ask my sister to borrow her Cartier Tank and then maybe not give it back. I am committing to this new angular existence. Maybe I should stop watched Spongebob Squarepants...
Yours Rectangularly,
Alvin
P.S.
Unfortunately I've just seen that Tudor have released the Black Bay Ceramic with a ceramic bracelet and the Tudor Monarch, and I love them both so will be spending £10,000 on those and have forgotten all about little, square watches....JK, but oooweee they are nice.
Links & Things.
Casio
RW
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