Romaric André, the French creative known under the pseudonym seconds/seconde/, is back with a new offbeat watchmaking collaboration. This time he is teaming up with Swedish brand MAEN for their second watch. This collaborative timepiece marks the inauguration of MAEN's Manhattan Project, which begins with this bold reinterpretation of their Manhattan 37 model.
A 70s design revisited
The standard reference Manhattan 37 is inspired by the aesthetic of the 70s, a time when luxury watches with integrated bracelets were in the spotlight. While the overall silhouette and specifications remain unchanged, the classic Côtes de Genève dial embellishments have been removed to symbolize the frightening consequences of the original Manhattan Project.
Symbolic details that refer to the Manhattan Project
A trefoil motif, commonly used as a universal symbol for ionizing radiation, connects the hour and minute hands, another element that references the theme of collaboration. On the back of the case, a special engraving includes a historic quote from J. Robert Oppenheimer dating from 1965:
“We have experienced original sin. We took of this fruit from the tree of knowledge, and the knowledge of good and evil came to us. »
This quote, taken from a speech given by the American physicist 20 years after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, recalls the tragic consequences of the Manhattan Project and the nuclear arms race.
An exclusive limited edition
Priced at US$1,057 (approximately €970), the Manhattan 37 x second/second/Limited Edition will be available for pre-order for 24 hours only, on June 7 from 4:00 p.m. Stockholm time (10:00 a.m. EDT). For more details on this unique watch, visit the dedicated page of the official MAEN website.
MAEN andseconde/seconde/, a daring collaboration
This collaboration between MAEN, a Swedish watch brand recognized for its elegant and minimalist watches, and second/seconde/, a French designer known for his offbeat and conceptual approach, gives birth to a unique watch that will not fail to get people talking.
By revisiting the Manhattan 37 model to make it a tribute to the Manhattan project, MAEN andseconde/seconde/ sign a unique piece, both sober and symbolic, which appeals with its refined design and its strong message. A watch that is sure to appeal to watch lovers in search of meaning and originality.
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