Microbrand Spotlight: Maen Watches

MicrobrandTopical

26 Aug

If you’ve spent any time in the world of watch collecting, you’ll know that some micro-brands quietly chug along in the background, while others burst onto the scene with a mix of swagger, design flair, and a healthy disregard for horological snobbery. Maen falls firmly into the latter category.

A Brand Born Under the Moon

The name Maen comes from the Old Dutch word for “moon”, which already feels effortlessly cool. The brand was launched in 2017 by two Dutchmen, Sebastiaan Cortjaens and Jules van Helvoort, who met abroad and bonded over a shared watch obsession. That friendship led to a brand that’s now found on wrists in more than 90 countries—a glow-up worthy of its lunar namesake.

The Collections That Get Collectors Talking

Maen’s style sits somewhere between retro nostalgia and crisp modernity. They’re not trying to copy the big Swiss names; instead, they pull on classic design cues and give them a subtle twist.

Their best-known models include:

Manhattan 37 – A sharp, 1970s-inspired integrated bracelet watch that comes with or without a date, and the option for a top-grade Sellita movement. It’s the sort of watch that looks just as at home under a suit cuff as it does peeking out from under a jumper in the pub.
Manhattan 39 Ultra-Thin – Under 7 mm thick and powered by a hand-wound ETA 7001, this is one for those who like their watches slim, elegant, and a little bit smug.
Manhattan 40 – Bigger, bolder, and available in shades like midnight blue, salmon copper, and jade green.
Hudson 38 MK4 and GMT – Maen’s sporty dive and travel watches, built to handle more than just an afternoon at the coffee shop.
Skymaster 38 – A vintage-inspired chronograph with serious wrist presence.
Plus a few more under-the-radar gems like the Brooklyn 36 Triple Calendar and Lunar Classic 36.

Why the Watch Crowd Loves Them

The Manhattan series, particularly the 37 and the 39 Ultra-Thin, is the darling of collectors. They’re praised for unique case shapes, well-executed dials, and the fact that they don’t feel like cookie-cutter micro-brand fare. As one Reddit user put it: “They’re jumping on the retro trend but still doing something unique.” That balance between familiar and fresh is exactly what makes Maen so addictive.

Collaborations That Make You Look Twice

Maen isn’t afraid to shake things up with unexpected partnerships. They’ve teamed up with:

Nico Leonard – Together they launched Maen’s first jump-hour watch, a sleek piece where the hours snap into view instead of being marked by hands. It’s hypnotic to watch and beautifully made.
seconde/seconde – The “Manhattan Project” collab is moody, bold, and cheekily nods to the atomic age.
IFL Watches – The Manhattan Graffiti is a hand-painted riot of colour straight out of New York’s street art scene.
Worn & Wound – A limited-edition Manhattan built with the watch-nerd community in mind.
Horoverse – The Neon City edition for Hong Kong, dripping in electric vibrance.

So, Why Go Maen?

Because they tick boxes that usually don’t get ticked together: an authentic origin story, well-balanced design, Swiss movements, and collaborations that keep things exciting. They’re proof you don’t have to sell a kidney to wear something unique, well-made, and—dare we say—rather charming.