WatchUSeek Watch Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Does anyone have a MAEN Skymaster 38?

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 514 Posts

AC_Rider

· Registered
Joined
·
700 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm just curious: does anyone here have a MAEN Skymaster 38? If so, I'd love to hear your impressions of the watch. They seemed to have a string of production issues starting this spring due to the global pandemic shutdown, but I believe that a batch was delivered to people who pre-ordered in June. But I haven't seen any mention of the watch online since then—no forum mentions, no reviews, no Instagram photos except those from MAEN.

So, has anyone actually received a Skymaster 38? If so, what do you think of it?
 
#2 ·
I think I've seen one or two that made it to folks, but the last update from MAEN said that there were issues with subdial hands, and a new batch had to be made. This pushed the date for delivery back to at least August.
 
#4 ·
AC_Rider said:
Yeah, I know they had QC issues, but wasn't sure if any made it into people's hands. Once they get their production issues resolved it looks like it could be a great little chronograph.
Click to expand...
Have a look at this thread here:
www.watchuseek.com

Introducing the MAEN Skymaster 38 Automatic Chronograph...

Hi everyone! As you might have seen on the Watchuseek homepage, we will soon release a new model. After a long process of designing and prototyping, we are proud to announce the latest addition to the MAEN collection, the Skymaster 38 Automatic Chronograph! We love vintage chronographs and...
www.watchuseek.com www.watchuseek.com

I received the midnight Blue dial version 2 months ago. I was one of the early backers of this watch back in September 2019.
The watch itself is a great vintage 'inspired' which i continue to enjoy for the price point. No bad word from me here on this piece.

See below for a consolidated review of the Skymaster from multiple sources:

Link 0: Watchuseek: Introducing the MAEN Skymaster 38 Automatic Chronograph...

Link 1: Instagram : Login • Instagram

Link 2 Youtube:

Link 3: Maen Skymaster......das warten hatte heute ein Ende

Link 4: ☆ 득템 - MAEN SKYMASTER 38MM ☆
 
  • Like
Reactions: finnegans and watchcrank_tx
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#5 ·
I have two of the skymasters that I am waiting to arrive. It has been an incredibly frustrating process, with little to no updates. The issue was described as a problem with hands being unbalanced, and needing to be redone.

I also have a friend who received the midnight blue version and is happy with it, so I am hoping for the best.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Those links to early customer reviews are helpful, thank you. Let's hope the issues with the hands get sorted out quickly and the watches ship soon. I see MAEN advertising constantly on Instagram to sell the next batch of Skymasters, so it seems that they are confident that the first batch will make it through production despite the hangups.
 
#8 ·
AC_Rider said:
I'm just curious: does anyone here have a MAEN Skymaster 38? If so, I'd love to hear your impressions of the watch. They seemed to have a string of production issues starting this spring due to the global pandemic shutdown, but I believe that a batch was delivered to people who pre-ordered in June. But I haven't seen any mention of the watch online since then-no forum mentions, no reviews, no Instagram photos except those from MAEN.

So, has anyone actually received a Skymaster 38? If so, what do you think of it?
Click to expand...
I received my Skymaster at the end of April after an interminable wait during which time I was communicating with Maen about the specification on an almost daily basis, including why they weren't including a date window. They were generally excellent at responding to my questions. However with Covid delays and alleged QC issues I still don't understand why, with assembly underway in February, they were apparently waiting for a production slot to recommence assembly some months later. My suggestion to them that they had lost control of the project received a frosty reply. Anyway, I eventually received my watch with 'free' watch roll and can offer the following positive impressions;
~ The design and overall finish is superb
~ Timekeeping is excellent; well within COSC standard
~ Solid link bracelet with screwed pins and folding clasp is well made, and complements the watch well.
But..........
~ Power reserve is disappointing; after wearing the watch constantly it stopped after three days so I give it a precautionary manual wind each day.
~ Stopwatch second hand is jerky whilst running. Maybe because the 2894-2 movement is modular?
~ Top grade ETA movement is not stamped with either the ETA mark or the movement type
~ No ETA 2894-2 mark on the case back, and other engraved details not as per renderings.
~ Solid end links on bracelet are almost impossible to fit to the watch case with spring bars supplied
~ There's no date window! I knew that, of course, but for me it's disappointing that it won't be an option.

So, whilst I'm pleased with my purchase I definitely won't be repeating the Kickstarter experience;
~ Track record on delivery is poor and fraught with risk
~ Money tied up in someone else's account for 6 months is not cost effective, despite the lure of a discount
~ As yet there's no market presence or brand recognition so watch residual / resale value will be poor.
 
#10 ·
AC_Rider said:
Great observations and insight - thank you. Out of curiosity which dial did you get? And do you think the movement might not be authentic, or at least not top-grade, since it's not marked?
Click to expand...
I purchased the black dial Skymaster which, to me, is themed on;
~ Omega Speedmaster reduced
~ Heuer Autavia CV2111 (which has a date!)
~ Heuer Autavia 12-hour bezel
~ 38mm case diameter and narrow bezel, both like 1960's chronos including the Ollech & Wajs Astrochron (find one if you can!)

I'm sure the movement is genuine top grade (Incabloc, blued screws, perlage, Glucydur balance etc.), and a Maen Director has confirmed it to me in writing. I'm advised by another source that ETA don't always stamp their movements for Swatch Group brands such as Omega. The movement in mine was part of a batch from ETA sold to Maen as a result of a cancelled order from another ETA customer; it's marked '080 TEMA' under the balance wheel which still remains a mystery.

Anyway this might be the last hurrah for a microbrand to use ETA movements, unless they've been stockpiled, because ETA only sell their products to watch companies in the Swatch Group. If you check out ETA's website their Mecaline / Chronograph movements are 'unavailable' - hmm.....!
 
#11 ·
Correction - I meant the Heuer Carrera CV2111 which uses Tag Heuer's Caliber 17 modular movement based on the ETA 2894-2, as used in the Skymaster. The Omega Speedmaster Reduced also has an ETA 2894-2 based movement. So, in terms of value for money buying a Skymaster was a no-brainer for me, but as I won't be selling it the likely poor residual value doesn't matter.
 
#14 ·
Delta Watch USA said:
This watch looks very cool, not sure of the price? I have a fun auto Chronos in the past, but not that luck with them for some reason, but I love the wobble of the rotor on ones wrist with some movts. All the best:)
Click to expand...
I think the price is fair for a new all Swiss chrono of this specification - you can pay easily double that for a 20 year old Heuer Carrera with no warranty or support, but a good example of paying a lot for the brand name. I've found no wobble at all on the Skymaster, but this may be because the chrono module that engages with the automatic watch module has a much smaller rotor (less mass) than, for example, the ubiquitous ETA Valjoux 7750 which wobbles wonderfully.
 
#15 ·
Navichron said:
I think the price is fair for a new all Swiss chrono of this specification - you can pay easily double that for a 20 year old Heuer Carrera with no warranty or support, but a good example of paying a lot for the brand name. I've found no wobble at all on the Skymaster, but this may be because the chrono module that engages with the automatic watch module has a much smaller rotor (less mass) than, for example, the ubiquitous ETA Valjoux 7750 which wobbles wonderfully.
Click to expand...
Yes, I think the movt in the OP watch, is a double stack movt or two 2824's, so the nice rotar wobble might be gone, but it makes for a thicker movt. I have a BIG invicta with the a07 valgranes movt which is nice.
 
#17 ·
Delta Watch USA said:
This watch looks very cool, not sure of the price?
Click to expand...
For a top grade 2894-2, the price is off-the-charts good.

Navichron said:
I've found no wobble at all on the Skymaster, but this may be because the chrono module that engages with the automatic watch module has a much smaller rotor (less mass) than, for example, the ubiquitous ETA Valjoux 7750 which wobbles wonderfully.
Click to expand...
The 289x family wind bidirectionally, so the rotor never spins up like it can with a unidirectional rotor such as that in the 7750.

Delta Watch USA said:
Yes, I think the movt in the OP watch, is a double stack movt or two 2824's, so the nice rotar wobble might be gone, but it makes for a thicker movt.
Click to expand...
The 2894-2 is one of the thinnest chronographs around, probably the thinnest available on the open market, 6.10mm thick vs. 7.9mm for the 7750 or 7.6mm for the NE88.
 
#20 ·
I posted something in one of the other Skymaster threads too, but curious if anyone has heard any updates on shipment dates? I pre-ordered a reverse panda Skymaster in late May and the website said shipment by mid-August, but yesterday they updated their site to say shipment is now due in mid-September. Wanted to see if anyone has any thoughts on how reasonable that might be...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
1 - 20 of 514 Posts
About this Discussion
513 Replies
59 Participants
Last post:
buildrepair7
WatchUSeek Watch Forums
posts
24M
members
618K
Since
2005
A forum community dedicated to watch owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about watch collections, displays, watch winders, accessories, classifieds, and more! We welcome all manufacturers including Casio G-Shock, OMEGA, Rolex, Breitling, Rolex and Tudor, Seiko, Grand Seiko and others.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Public Forum Watches - Private Sellers and Sponsors Affordable watches Dive watches Casio G-Shock