Manime La Fidèle
Fergus NashAbout a year ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing Manime’s La F, a casual watch with a hint of ‘60s and ‘70s swagger that revolved around the theme of friendship. It was refreshing to read up on a brand which didn’t rely on strenuous links to historical events for validation in the marketplace, instead focusing on something which can tie people together regardless of interest in watches. Their latest release is the Manime La Fidèle, refining the formula even further for a watch that could be gifted to anyone, and worn at any time.
The case
It seems as though Manime definitely have an affinity for the 1970s, although instead of returning to the cushion-case shape of the La F, the La Fidèle uses an integrated bracelet design. The curves sweep smoothly between the links and the case’s hooded lugs, ensuing that the watch’s feel is like an embrace of the wrist. The finishing is radiant, with sunburst brushing extending the dial’s effect to the case and accenting the polished chamfers on the sides and bezel.
There’s certainly no one-size-fits-all for watches, however, in order to ensure versatility and gender neutrality, the Manime La Fidèle sticks to a wearable set of dimensions. The diameter is 38mm, with the ever-important lug-to-lug measurement at 42.2mm, which should fit most wrists comfortably. It’s also only 11.25mm thick, which is impressive considering the sapphire display caseback and 200m of water resistance. Protecting the watch’s longevity, Manime have coated the stainless steel with a scratch-resistant coating with a hardness rating of 1,200HV.
The dial
Although Manime’s first watch had a fairly simple dial which worked well, the Manime La Fidèle has pulled things back even further. This allows the colour variations to hold more of their own unique personalities. The baton hour markers are paired with fencepost hands for classic legibility, and a humble date window lies at 3 o’clock. The only printing is the Automatique script and the company’s hexagonal rose logo, pulling influence from friendship symbolism and the borders of France.
There are five references of the Manime La Fidèle, with four in the main collection and one special edition. Each of the standard watches have resplendent sunburst dials, making their colours all the more vibrant and dynamic in any lighting. The choices are a khaki green, copper red, champagne gold and anthracite grey. The fifth version is called the Dirty Dozen La Fidèle, created in the spirit of the A-11 Mil-Spec watches commissioned for allied forces in WWII. Its matte grey dial is matched with darker-toned details, with the exception of the red, white and blue symbol of the French Air Forces.
The movement
The La Fidèle is no slouch in its specifications, but Manime want to retain an accessible price point. The Miyota 9015 is a perfect choice to power the watch in this scenario, with a high threshold of reliability at a low price point. You still get an automatic, mechanical movement without needing to spend high-luxury money, with a smooth 4Hz sweep of the seconds hand, and a 42-hour power reserve which best suits a daily wearer. Plus, all of these movements have been regulated by Manime to an accuracy within -5/+15 seconds per day. You can view it through the sapphire display caseback, and see the automatic winding rotor behind a printing of the Manime rose logo.
The bracelet
Integrated bracelet watches were a bit of a pain when the technology was new, but they have been well and truly democratised with modern machining quality. The undersides of the links have been rounded for extra comfort, while the top layer of brushed metal remains blocky for more of a vintage look. The lugs are drilled, so you can easily swap out the bracelet for another 22mm strap should you wish to experiment, given La Fidèle’s hidden lugs.
Manime La Fidèle pricing and availability
The Manime La Fidèle will launch on Kickstarter on September 26th 2023, with several stages of early-bird discounts. Price: €410 (first day pre-order), €440 (pre-order), €550 (RRP)
| Brand | Manime |
| Model | La Fidèle |
| Case Dimensions | 38mm (D) x 11.25mm (T) x 42.4mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Hard-coated stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Grey, green, red, gold, matte grey |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | Flat-link steel bracelet, shrouded lugs |
| Movement | Miyota 9015, automatic, 4Hz |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | €410 (first day pre-order) €440 (pre-order) €550 (RRP) |