Maen
ActiveOverview
Maen Watches is a microbrand founded in 2016-2017 in Stockholm, Sweden, by Dutch entrepreneurs Sebastiaan Cortjaens and Jules van Helvoort. It produces vintage-inspired mechanical watches with classic proportions, Swiss movements, and understated mid-century aesthetics, including dive watches, dress watches, and chronographs. The brand uses a direct-to-consumer model to offer accessible pricing in the entry-level segment while emphasizing quality finishing and Swiss assembly.
History
Maen Watches was founded in 2016 or 2017 in Stockholm by Sebastiaan Cortjaens and Jules van Helvoort, who quit their jobs to create timeless watches with solid quality sold directly to consumers. Early models included the Skymaster chronograph launched on Kickstarter around 2019. The brand has since released models like the Manhattan, Hudson GMT, and plans for the Brooklyn 36, taking 8-14 months per watch from design to production with Swiss partners.
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hudson (dive watch) | Vintage-inspired diver with modern specs | $700 - $900 |
| Manhattan (dress watch) | Ultra-thin stately timepiece | $800 - $1,000 |
| Skymaster (chronograph) | Speedmaster-style chronograph | $900 - $1,200 |
| Brooklyn (field watch) | Mechanical watch with complications | $700 - $900 |
Manufacturing
Design occurs in Stockholm, Sweden; components are sourced and watches assembled in Switzerland with industry partners for machining, finishing, and quality control. The brand claims Swiss-Made standards through established Swiss manufacturers.
Notable Products
- Hudson GMT - GMT dive watch priced at $799 on pre-order with traveler's bezel.
- Manhattan 36 - Ultra-thin dress watch with elegant proportions and Swiss automatic movement.
- Skymaster Chronograph - Speedmaster-inspired chronograph launched via Kickstarter in 2019.
- Brooklyn 36 - Upcoming mechanical watch with three subregisters in a thin case.
Reputation
Maen is regarded positively by watch enthusiasts for delivering well-finished, thin, vintage-inspired watches at reasonable prices without luxury markups, exemplifying strengths of the microbrand segment. It earns praise for innovative designs, quality Swiss assembly, and direct sales model. Some note minor criticisms on limited production scale and reliance on crowdfunding for launches, but overall perception highlights reliable value in the independent market.
Sources (8)
- https://www.watchtraderhub.com/brands/maen
- https://www.dialicious.com/en/maen
- https://www.maenwatches.com/pages/about-us
- https://www.hautetime.com/moonstruck-in-the-netherlands-why-everyones-talking-about-maen-watches/
- https://www.mainspring.watch/maen
- https://www.montredo.com/blogs/magazine/maen-watches-an-exciting-and-interesting-new-manufacturer-from-the-north
- https://www.cbinsights.com/company/maen-watches/people
- https://www.maenwatches.com/en-us