When I first opened the e-mail from aBlogtoWatch saying that I won the SISU Q1-50 watch, I got super excited. After reading the review of the watch, that excitement turned into surprise (not negative, by any means) when I couldn’t help but think, “This is a really big watch!” I wondered if SISU makes anything smaller, so I checked out their website and found that 50mm is actually the smallest watch they make. I also stumbled across the all black Carburetor Q2-50, which I liked even better. Since I didn’t have any all black watches in my collection, I asked SISU if I could trade in the Q1-50 for the Q2-50, and they agreed to make the swap.

When the watch arrived, I conducted my own personal watch unboxing ceremony. After opening the outside packaging, I was blown away by the watch display box.

I’m all for watches coming in innovative, well-designed watch boxes, but this one was especially cool. The box was all metal with heavy, tough hinges, and some extra embellishments adorned the outside. Though I loved the effort put into designing the box, I’m not the kind of collector who religiously keeps track of all the boxes my watches come in. The box that my Oris BC-4 came in, for instance, is lying in my closet somewhere, and I haven’t touched it in five years. Honestly, I think it’s sort of a hassle swapping watches if I have to put one back in its box every time, and if I did store all of them, I would need a much larger safe. But I know there are probably so many enthusiasts out there who are willing to pay premiums for fancy, intricate boxes. Maybe aBlogtoWatch should do a post on cool watch boxes!

Anyway, enough on boxes. As for the watch itself, I love the all black look. The second hand has a red tip, adding a splash of color. In regards to the hefty 50mm size of this watch, it actually doesn’t feel too bad on my 7.5-inch wrist, especially because of the pivoting watch lugs. SISU likely recognized that this was a really big watch, so the pivoting lugs must have been a conscious decision, and it definitely was a good idea. Overall, it’s surprisingly comfortable to wear.

I love that the strap is rubber and not silicone, so it has a tough, hearty feel to it. As for the dial, due to the anti-reflective coating, there is very little glare on the watch face from all angles. If you’re into old automobile engines, the five screw down barrels on the sides look similar to an engine carburetor. There are three barrels on the right side and two on the left, with the screw-down crown at 10 o’clock to complete the symmetry. The crown screws down very easily, and it ensures that no water will get in the watch.

The date window, located at the 4PM position, has high visibility and is a nice touch to the dial. The watch back has a very industrial-looking design that complements the masculinity of the watch. Ultimately, and I can’t say this enough: it’s a big watch, and though it wears comfortably, it may be suited for a bigger or tougher guy than me. If you’re looking for a more rugged watch, or if you’re into the automobile aesthetic, this might be the watch for you. The quality workmanship is apparent, the rubber strap is delightful, and the minimalist style is attractive. And let’s not forget that really cool box! sisumovement.com