A quality stone dial is always relevant. Despite appearing relatively recently, over the past 2-3 years, they continue to attract attention.
However, it's important that the watch itself is appealing and matches the style. With the Maen Manhattan, this is not an issue. I hold the series in high regard, inspired by the 70s style, which has become a real hit for the Stockholm-based Swedish brand. In its latest collection, Maen introduced the Manhattan Ultra-Thin model with three unique stone dials. These dials give the Manhattan a stylish and expressive look, significantly enhancing the retro atmosphere of the seventies. The first model features a black onyx dial, the second - a Golden Swan dial, and the third - Snowflake Obsidian, which we received for a detailed review. I was able to assess whether this series with stone dials is the best among all Manhattans.
Features of the Maen Manhattan Watches with Stone Dials
The Maen Manhattan is one of those models belonging to a small series of stylish microbrand watches and is easily recognizable. The 70s style design somewhat resembles the Patek Philippe Nautilus, but the dial design is closer to the classic elegant watches of the same period. The Manhattan maintains a connection with the past, but the combination of various elements creates a design that relies on tradition without being its prisoner. And what if you remove the characteristic dial design and replace it with a simple stone one? As practice has shown, this significantly enhances the stylish appearance of the Manhattan. Each of the three models is released in a limited edition of 100 pieces for each dial variant.
Technical Details of the Maen Manhattan Stone Dial Series
The basis of the new series is the Maen Manhattan 37 Ultra-Thin. The brand has created several interesting variations based on it. The latest one I wrote about earlier became the beginning of the Boutique Exclusive series. It lacks the small seconds subdial characteristic of the regular Manhattan 37 Ultra-Thin model, showing only hours and minutes.
Additionally, Maen released the Ultra-Thin with a Côtes de Genève dial, like the standard Manhattan 37. This variation was in high demand and received positive reviews. I enjoyed wearing these watches as they are incredibly comfortable. However, seeing the new stone dials, I may have found a new favorite Maen Manhattan variant. It should be noted that this is not the first time stone dials have been used in the Manhattan series - the brand previously released a limited Qiankun series with lapis lazuli and tiger's eye dials.
In my opinion, the new Ultra-Slim series takes this concept to a new level. Let's consider the main characteristics. All three models have an ultra-thin case with a diameter of 37 mm, a thickness of 7.1 mm, and a lug-to-lug length of 47.4 mm. These are elegant watches with an integrated bracelet that smoothly transitions into a hidden butterfly clasp with the recognizable brand logo in the form of the letter "M".
Three Stone Dial Variants
The watches are presented in three stone dial variants, each with a unique appearance:
- Black Onyx - a deep black dial that gives the Manhattan a particularly stylish and strict look.
- Golden Swan - a warm, rich dial with golden hues that enhances the 70s atmosphere and harmoniously complements the overall design.
- Snowflake Obsidian - a lively dial with black-gray spots, creating a bold and unique visual impression, standing out among the three options.
Each dial features the brand logo at the top, two lines of text in the lower half, and the "Swiss Made" inscription at the "6 o'clock" position. The most contrasting and readable element is on the black onyx. However, the question arises - is it worth highlighting text against a beautiful stone background? In my opinion, on the black onyx, the inscriptions add elegance and serve as an additional visual accent. For the obsidian variant, where attention is drawn to the spotted pattern, the text does not play such an important role.
Of the three options, I personally prefer the black onyx and Golden Swan dials. The first gives the watch a very stylish and strict appearance, while the second enhances the pronounced retro style of the 70s. Sometimes emphasizing the style gives excellent results, as it did in this case.
La Joux-Perret D101 Movement
Inside the cases of all three models is the La Joux-Perret D101 movement. This is a manual caliber with a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour, 18 jewels, and a power reserve of up to 50 hours. The ultra-thin movement is a time-only version of the popular D100 caliber from LJP, which is used in an increasing number of watches from independent brands. Thanks to the sapphire crystal on the case back, you can admire the thin movement.
Wearing Experience of Maen Manhattan 37 Ultra-Slim Obsidian Snowflake
Although the Snowflake Obsidian dial model is my least preferred option of the three, this does not mean I dislike it. On the contrary, Maen offers three quality and radically different options, making the choice difficult. The obsidian dial quickly won me over with its image. All three stone dials perfectly match the Manhattan style. The model provided to us had a predominantly gray background with contrasting black spots. If you like monochrome design, this will be the optimal choice.
Like the Boutique Edition model, the stone dial version is very comfortable to wear. The case size fits various wrist sizes, including my 18.5 cm wrist. The flexible integrated bracelet smoothly transitions into the clasp and looks elegant due to its tapering. Despite the ultra-thin case and bracelet, the watch feels solid and of high quality. The bracelet is easily adjustable thanks to the screw pins, and once adjusted, the watch is a pleasure to wear.
Conclusion on Maen Manhattan Ultra-Slim 37 Snowflake Obsidian
Overall, I enjoyed spending time with the Maen Manhattan Ultra-Slim 37 Snowflake Obsidian. While it's not my favorite from the new series, it perfectly demonstrates how well stone dials suit this model. Maen is not the first brand to use stone dials in retro watches, but for the Manhattan, this decision turned out to be very harmonious. I can even say that the black onyx version is among my favorite affordable stone dial watches. These watches are quite suitable for daily wear.
As mentioned, Maen will release 100 pieces of each dial variant at a price of €1,359.20 (excluding taxes). A total of 300 watches will be released for sale starting August 28, 2026, on the brand's official website. After the initial batch sells out, Maen plans additional runs through a pre-order system. After getting acquainted with the Snowflake Obsidian model, I have no doubt that all copies will sell out quickly. These watches bring a fresh and bright accent to the already impressive Maen Manhattan 37 Ultra Slim series and confirm that stone dials are a trend that will remain for a long time. I eagerly await the appearance of new models with similar dials in the future.