MAEN is a brand out of Stockholm, Sweden, and it’s gained some significant traction with the release of their Hudson dive watch, their first mechanical timepiece. Brad had a chance to go hands-on with the Hudson last year, and his impression mirrors those of others who took the watch for a spin: it?s a solid, vintage-inspired dive watch that represents great value for money. There?s not exactly a dearth of watches in that category ? I sometimes wonder if, in fact, every watch is a well-built heritage diver ? so for MAEN to break out of the pack is in and of itself an accomplishment. A word of mouth hit in the micro-brand space is maybe the best kind.
MAEN?s follow up to the Hudson is something totally new for the brand, who now enter a growing but not quite saturated market for old-school-looking mechanical chronographs at a budget price. Let?s take a look at some of the key elements of the new Skymaster 38.
MAEN Skymaster 38 Automatic Chronograph

Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial: Jet Black, Panda, Inverted Panda, Midnight Blue, Thunder Grey
Dimensions: 38mm x 10.9mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Water Resistance: 5 ATM
Crown: 7mm
Movement: ETA 2894-2 Elaboré Grade
Strap/bracelet: Leather
Price: 799 Euro at Kickstarter launch
Expected Release: September 2019

The Skymaster is a three-register chronograph with a rotating 12-hour bezel, which for my money is one of the most useful non-mechanical complications around. The 38mm size would seem to fit perfectly into...