When we last checked in with Maen, they had just released their latest collaboration with visual artist seconde/seconde, a take on their popular Manhattan integrated bracelet sports watch that was both playful in its aesthetic and sober in its theme. That watch, and other watches in the Manhattan collection, represent one side of the Maen coin, which is that of a brand willing to experiment and play around with expectations, whether that’s in a collaborative partner like seconde/seconde, or making a watch that’s almost impossibly thin at a surprisingly affordable price point. Maen’s latest, though, represents a different side of the brand, one that is quite a bit more traditional and borders on classical, at least in a watchmaking context. The new Lunar Classic 36 brings a classic complication, the moonphase, back into the Maen lineup after a long absence.
Maen’s very first watch, released in 2017, had a moonphase complication. That quartz watch is very different in execution than any watch in the current Maen lineup, which is kind of the point of the Lunar Classic 36. It exists, in part, as a demonstration of how far the brand has come. Anyone who has handled a Maen knows that these watches punch well above their weight class in terms of fit and finish, and recent releases really demonstrate that the progress they’ve made getting the best manufacturing results possible, while honing in on a clearer than ever design language.
Like other recent Maen releases, a great deal of attention has been paid to the dial, much of which you might need a loupe to properly spot. The Lunar Classic 36 boasts a multilayered dial with multiple finishing techniques, and applied hour markers that are faceted and polished. In a nod to the vintage watches that inspire Maen, both the chapter ring and seconds hand are slightly curved, and one follows the other for a perfect match. Four colors, in total, will be available: Cream White, Midnight blue, Salmon, and Graphite.
According to Maen, the case design draws on traditions of the 1940s, with prominent long lugs and a 36mm diameter. This one should wear a bit larger than the 36mm figure would seem to indicate, something I’ve found in other similarly sized releases from Maen. The case features a mix of finishing techniques, including a high polished bezel and brushing on the lugs. The case geometry is meant to work in harmony with Maen’s new flat link bracelet, which has an old-school “brick” design and runs five links across.
The Lunar Classic 36 runs on the Sellita SW280-1, an elaborè grade caliber. It has a power reserve of 40 hours, and features a classic moonphase complication at the 6:00 position. Maen has done a nice job of making the moonphase graphics appealing without going over the top – it’s a very traditional execution with a lot of restraint, accented by lots of nice little details, like a crosshatch pattern on the dial, minimal branding, and a clean typeface.
The Lunar Classic 36 is available for pre-order beginning today, with a purchase window open through October 10. Delivery is expected in May of next year. The retail price starts at €919., but there are discounts available when pre-ordered. Maen
