I Get It Now: MAEN Manhattan 37

I never understood the appeal of integrated bracelet watches. Is it because 2 of the most iconic versions come from 2 of the holy trinity of watch brands? Is it because an iconoclast of watch design, Gerald Genta, was behind their distinctive looks? Is this why so many watch enthusiast-collectors genuflect while swiping their credit cards for these watches?

I never understood until I saw the MAEN Manhattan 37. As with most current-day watch releases, I saw it first online. There were a few things that stood out to me as being potentially superb about this one. The case shape which draws inspiration from the Vacheron Constantin 2215 seemed unique in the watch space- now with MAEN’s tribute to it and back then. The Cotes de Geneve dial that plays remarkably with light, bringing design language from the back of the watch (traditionally with movements) to the front, appeared extra special. The octagonal crown and overall design screamed industrial chic (my take)…and I was smitten. Wear it to the office, check. Wear it for a weekend stroll in the park, check. Heck, wear it to the beach and let the sunshine turn the dial to brilliance. Check, check, check. I was sold. For all of the above reasons, and then...

Then came the irrational, purely emotional tug that gets the watch community to justify buying these arbitrary machines we wear around while still pulling out our phones to tell the time:

I turned 37. And I’m originally from New York City. I was born and raised in NYC, lived there most of my life and consider myself lucky to have done so. I don’t reside there now, but all of my family still does. I visit as often as I can, and have fond memories of just purely amazing times in almost all 5 boroughs. Manhattan, where I went to high school and college, is written right on the dial. I mean, how cool is that?

When I got my hands on the Manhattan 37 and put it on, I finally understood. Integrated bracelets can fit like a second skin, feel right at home on the wrist.

New York is my forever home, and at 37 years young, I decided that the Manhattan 37 would serve as a rad reminder, now a part of my permanent watch collection.

(As seen/written on my IG)