Introducing Maen’s Second Collaboration with French Artist seconde/seconde, The Manhattan Project

Maen watches was founded by Sebastiaan Cortjaens and Jules van Helvoort, who met while living abroad and bonded over their shared passion for watches and watch collecting. In 2017, Maen watches was born. Both founders hail from the Netherlands, infusing their heritage and love for horology into every piece they create, and the brand's name is derived from the old Dutch spelling of "moon”. 

Now, the brand is introducing the Manhattan Project, its second collaboration with the acclaimed French designer Romaric André, also known as seconde/seconde. This watch is based on Maen's iconic Manhattan 37, an elegant timepiece inspired by the 1970s.

For those who aren't familiar, the Manhattan Project was a top-secret government project during World War II, in which the United States aimed to develop and deploy the world's first atomic weapons before Nazi Germany. By removing the dial of the watch and altering the seconds hand, the brand sought to symbolize the concept of nuclear nothingness and the life-threatening consequences of the Manhattan Project.

The watch features a stainless steel case measuring 37mm in diameter and 9.3mm in thickness. It boasts an octagonal bezel and crown, along with a blend of brushed and polished finishes. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal, and the caseback features the american theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer's words, "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds," symbolizes the ongoing dilemma that accompanies every significant human discovery: the opening of Pandora's box—a metaphor for initiating something that will lead to numerous unforeseen problems.

The ice-gray dial has been entirely cleared of the logo and indicators, showcasing a stunning Côtes de Genève pattern. Only the hands, coated with Super-LumiNova, remain, along with the project name in orange and black. The seconds hand has been replaced by the nuclear hazard "trefoil" symbol.

The watch is powered by Sellita SW200-1b, an automatic movement that operates at 28,800 vph (4Hz), and offers 38 hours of power reserve. It comes with an integrated stainless steel bracelet with a hidden lock deployant clasp, at a price of EUR 937, equivalent to AED 3,720.

For more information please visit Maen’s official website.