Latest Review
Maen Watches, based in Stockholm, Sweden, has been crafting unique timepieces since 2017. With over eight different collections, they have developed a cohesive design language that is instantly recognizable as a Maen watch. Maen entered the integrated bracelet sports watch market about two years ago, although perhaps a tad late. Conversely, they appeared to embrace the resurgence of square(ish) watches early, offering a design that I personally prefer over a more recent controversial cubical release.
Although I don’t have any hands-on experience with their watches yet, I have closely followed their development from the beginning and am pretty impressed with their attention to detail and the use of polished facets. This is particularly noteworthy considering their price point. Following the success of their Manhattan 37 Automatic and the Manhattan 39 Ultra-Thin Manual Wind, Maen will launch a new line, the Manhattan 40, with a larger case and automatic caliber.
Two standard models will be available: one in midnight blue and another in copper/salmon. Both will feature vertically elongated Côtes de Genève dials. Additionally, a special-edition model will feature a dial made of green jade stone. Jade is a valued gemstone with a craft history of about 7,000 years, renowned for its toughness and beauty. In China, it rivaled gold and diamonds. The Mayans, Aztecs, and Māori also cherished jade. Ancient Egyptians linked it to love and balance. Today, jade symbolizes goodness, beauty, and virtues like wisdom and compassion, and its global appreciation continues to grow.
All three will feature a case with a diameter of 40mm, a sleek profile of 9.6mm, and a lug-to-lug measurement of 49.3mm. You also have the option to choose between a standard-grade Sellita SW200-1 movement and a top-grade version of the same movement. The top-grade version is fully decorated with blued screws, perlage engraving, and rhodium plating. Both date and no-date versions will be available. Additionally, it is regulated in five positions to ensure accuracy that exceeds the COSC standard, keeping time within +/- 4 seconds per day.
The stainless steel integrated bracelet features a chamfer that follows the case lines, finishing at a twin-trigger butterfly clasp. It is sizable by single-sided screws, which is my preference for easy do-it-yourself sizing. The watch has a screw-down display back, which allows the wearer to admire the movement inside. Additionally, despite having only a push-pull crown, it remains water-resistant up to an impressive 100 meters. In my opinion, if a watch is to be classified as a sports watch, this level of water resistance should be the minimum requirement.
A pre-order campaign offering a discount is open now and runs through January 3rd. Delivery is expected in late July 2025. During this pre-order window, the Maen Manhattan 40 will be priced as follows: $732 for the standard movement and $1,136 for the top-grade version. After January 3rd, prices will increase to $818 for the standard movement and $1,222 for the top-grade version. The prices for the Jade dial option are $1,077 for the standard movement and $1,481 for the top-grade version. Maen
