Micro Tournament Round 1 Day 3: Maen Vs. Straum
Rules:
• Voting is based on the overall brand, not the individual model or sample photo.
• There are no rules on how you should choose, but you are welcome to civilly debate quality, value, heritage, etc.
• Voters are encouraged to look at the hashtags for threads on individual brands or visit their sites.
• Poll closes apx 11PM ET 3/16.
• Be respectful of all the brands and members, even if the vote does not go your way. This is meant to be lighthearted fun to raise awareness of 64 microbrands.
• Ties will go to the brand with the most unique user-owned photos of their watch on this thread.
Good luck and have fun! All posts and results will be tracked under #microtournament
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Watch enthusiast who insists on the next watch being the last.
Northeast, US
Member since
Last active: 4 min ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
Check Out The Lineups Here:
Maen
Straum
I voted for Straum despite the fact that I don't own one and I do own a Maen.
The red dial Straum is amazing...just haven't found a way to pull the trigger on one though.
The Maen I do have...is the Manhattan, of course...
I voted for Straum despite the fact that I don't own one and I do own a Maen.
The red dial Straum is amazing...just haven't found a way to pull the trigger on one though.
The Maen I do have...is the Manhattan, of course...
I do enjoy what Straum is doing and the dials, while stamped, are very cool. If I was in the market for another integrated bracelet, that one would be short listed.
As for Maen, I really like what they are doing and they are so much better in person. I missed out getting the W&W merlot colored Manhattan.
While I like Mean, I feel they are a bit too much of a homage brand. That's not a knock on their quality, just an observation.
Straum has some beautiful designs, so they get my nod in this round.
Tough matchup for Maen because I really like what they're doing but Straum got my vote the overall look just is mesmerizing.
I enjoy my Straum. But I like Maen too. I like watches.
I enjoy my Straum. But I like Maen too. I like watches.
Stunning.
I voted for Straum despite the fact that I don't own one and I do own a Maen.
The red dial Straum is amazing...just haven't found a way to pull the trigger on one though.
The Maen I do have...is the Manhattan, of course...
Likewise...I did the same...
My theory is whatever option A is will get the most votes.. always happens in watch crunch
Maen
Straum is so unique I have to lean there.
Not hugely familiar with Straum, but my vote goes to them. Looks like a cross between an Atelier Wen and an anOrdain.
Big fan of anyone doing ultra thin cases too though, so I’m keen to see where Maen go next!
I am not convinced with the general looks of the Maen watches, so go with Straum.
I think this was the hardest decision so far
I like the designs of Straum better
Straum all the way🤣. Difficult match, Maen portfolio is bigger anda they hace very good watches, alas Straum has 1 model on sale right now... What a watch! I bought the red one on te firsy 8 minutes in the pre-sale. Incredible value for the money...
I never thought I'd say but Maen many more watch designs
I’ve had a Maen Skymaster and although it was a nice watch, I sold it because the bezel that was not aligned. Drove me nuts.
Went with Maen. Straum, while having a beautiful watch that Maen cannot match, it is one design with different colors ( supposedly inspired by the Norwegian landscape a’la Grand Seiko perhaps) bracelet or strap.
Really tough one! Both are great, but I have to side with Maen for the more classical look and much broader lineup. Straum's dials are very cool with that integrated bracelet, but in bright light they seem to lose some of their luster.
Gotta say, I really like the colour of that Straum. This is a strange match, as I wouldn't put a chronograph up against a normal 3-hander. I would perhaps have a separate competition for chronographs.
My theory is whatever option A is will get the most votes.. always happens in watch crunch
Interesting observation.
Really tough one! Both are great, but I have to side with Maen for the more classical look and much broader lineup. Straum's dials are very cool with that integrated bracelet, but in bright light they seem to lose some of their luster.
I digress🤣
Expected this to be closer…
Tough one. I went with MAEN because I've got a couple and they really are nice, but oof -- some of those Straum dials are A M A Z I N G.
This is definitely a good matchup, two solid companies with nice offerings. I don't have any personal experience with either brand, but I have seen both of them in passing and read Straum's story. The problem I have with Maen, which isn't isolated to them, is this idea of offering up a whole bunch of different versions of the same watch. There are many micro's out there who do this, and to me it feels a little bit like throwing things at the wall to see what will stick. It seems to lack vision in who and what they bring to the watch world. Doesn't mean I don't like some of their watches, and it certainly isn't a reflection on the quality of their builds, just more of a general idea about brands in general. With Straum there is a definite sense of who and what they offer, and for that they got my vote.
I do like the look of Straum. I was so tempted by the limited edition red dial (of course the one I want is the limited edition) and agonized over it before I let it pass. It was too rich for my blood, though a little bit of me regrets it.
But I gave my vote to Maen. I've tried on the Manhattan, and it's lovely (hey, I live in Manhattan, though I don't get why it's called the Manhattan). And while Straum has essentially one watch in several colors, Maen has several lines and and seems more established. I'll give a brand points if they show some maturity and staying power.
Maen
Let’s go
#maen ! You can do it
Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to Maen!