Hands-On Maen Manhattan 37 Ultra Thin Review
The integrated bracelet sports watch has been having a moment. Again. It’s been over 50 years since the Royal Oak debuted and kicked off the genre, but in the last five years, there’s been a massive resurgence, especially in the independent and microbrand space. Some of that has been driven by a search for accessible alternatives to the unobtainable Genta icons. Some of it has been fueled by genuine appreciation for the aesthetic. Either way, the result has been a wave of brands trying their hand at the format, most of them falling into one of two camps: either generic clones chasing hype or overly complicated designs trying to be different for the sake of it.
And then there’s Maen.
The Manhattan has quietly been one of the best-executed integrated bracelet watches introduced in the last handful of years. From the beginning, Maen’s approach has been more thoughtful than trendy. The design language borrows from the ‘70s but isn’t chained to it. The sizing, finishing, and overall proportions have always leaned more refined than aggressive. And while the original 37mm automatic Manhattans were a strong start, the release of the 39mm Ultra Thin model marked a clear turning point. It was thinner, sleeker, and better resolved. But for some collectors, it was just a little too large to scratch that vintage-inspired itch.
That’s where the new Maen Manhattan 37 Ultra Thin comes in. This is the most elegant and refined version of the Manhattan to date. And more than that, it’s Maen staking its claim in the upper tier of the microbrand landscape, not just in terms of value but in design maturity.
From a design standpoint, the Manhattan 37 Ultra Thin draws a direct line to watches like the Vacheron Constantin 2215. Not just in size, though the 37mm case is nearly identical, but in attitude. The entire watch feels like it was built with restraint in mind. The 47.4mm lug-to-lug length keeps it compact on the wrist, and at just 7.1mm thick, it disappears under a cuff. But it doesn’t feel delicate or dressy in the traditional sense. It feels sharp. Purposeful. Confident.
The version I’ve spent time with is the hammered salmon dial variant. And let’s talk about that dial for a minute. It’s not flashy or loud. It doesn’t sparkle in sunlight or shift colors at odd angles. But what it does have is texture. Depth. Personality. The hammered finish is uneven in the most intentional way, giving the surface an almost organic quality. You don’t notice it across the room. But up close, it’s fascinating. It’s also the first Manhattan to feature a subsidiary seconds at six o’clock, a change that subtly alters the feel of the dial. It slows it down. Gives it rhythm. And adds just enough mechanical charm to stand out from the rest of the lineup.
There’s a calmness to the dial layout that reflects the rest of the watch’s design philosophy. Applied indices are slender and minimal. The date window, often a point of contention, is notably absent, another nod to vintage formality. Everything is precisely where it needs to be, and nothing is added for effect. The result is a dial that feels curated, not cluttered.
The movement inside is another first for the Manhattan line. Maen opted for the ETA 7001 Elaboré Grade, a handwound Swiss movement that’s slim, proven, and quietly excellent. It’s not flashy, but it’s the right choice. The manual wind feels tight and crisp. No slop. No drag. And the small seconds at 6 is native to the caliber, not an add-on or modification. You get a display caseback to show off the movement, which adds another layer of appreciation, especially for people who want a more tactile connection to their watch. No rotor here. Just gears and wheels and clean finishing.
What this movement also allows is that 7.1mm case thickness. And in person, that makes a massive difference. Most watches that wear thin feel that way because they’re small. This wears thin because it is. It hugs the wrist like a bracelet, and when paired with Maen’s integrated stainless steel bracelet, which is still one of the best in the sub-$1,500 space, it’s just incredibly comfortable. The bracelet has a smooth taper, solid articulation, and a level of finishing that continues to impress. It’s a great example of why Maen has earned such a loyal following.
The clasp is simple and secure, avoiding gimmicky micro-adjustments or oversized hardware. It’s built for daily wear, not for show. And that’s really the theme that runs through this entire release: restraint, refinement, and quiet capability.
What impressed me most after a week on the wrist wasn’t just the looks. It was the consistency. The comfort, the balance, the feel of the crown when winding, the satisfying resistance of the clasp, all of it works together to give you the kind of ownership experience you’d expect from a watch two or three times the price. There’s nothing experimental about it. This is Maen building on everything they’ve done right over the past few years and taking it one step further.
So who’s it for? Honestly, someone who just wants a well-designed, well-sized watch without the noise. No gimmicks, no artificial story behind it. Just solid design, great proportions, and a movement that makes sense. If you’re into clean, vintage-inspired pieces that don’t feel like they’re trying too hard, this hits the mark.
And that’s what sets this watch apart in a crowded category. There are a lot of microbrands making integrated bracelet watches right now, and some of them are good. But very few are this self-assured. The Manhattan 37 Ultra Thin isn’t trying to be something else. It’s not referencing the Royal Oak or the Nautilus to sell units. It’s referencing watches like the VC 2215 because that’s where the design lineage truly fits. And it’s doing it in a way that feels authentic.
At a retail price of €1,079.20, it’s positioned a bit higher than Maen’s earlier Manhattan offerings. But it also delivers more. Better finishing. More interesting textures. More vintage-correct sizing. And more mechanical charm, thanks to that ETA 7001 and subsidiary seconds. Honestly, when you stack it against other integrated offerings in this segment, there’s not much that competes on all those fronts simultaneously.
This is one of those releases that doesn’t hit you over the head. But if you know, you know. The Manhattan 37 Ultra Thin isn’t just a size update. It’s the Manhattan fully realized. A refined, beautifully made integrated bracelet watch that doesn’t try to be anything more than it is. And honestly, that’s what makes it stand out. Learn more about the Maen Manhattan 37 Ultra Thin here.
