In this Miansai review, we’ll explore why this modern jewelry brand is so appealing.
Timeless. Understated. Simple Elegance. Nautical without going overboard. Let’s dive into all the details about Miansai…
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Michael Saiger
When Miansai founder, Michael Saiger created the Miansai line of jewelry, he had been looking for a line of men’s jewelry that was easy to wear; pieces that could be an essential part of a man’s wardrobe; a bracelet so stylish yet so unassuming that you would never want to take it off.
He could not find what he was looking for, so he created his own line, giving it a distinctive yet unmistakable maritime flair.
So, where does the name Miansai come from? It is taken from his name – Michael Andrew Saiger.
Miansai Bracelets
While at the University of Miami, Michael started designing accessories – and came up with a unique design for a men’s bracelet using the shape of a fishing hook as a closure.
It was a simple idea, yet one that has an unusual, masculine flair, playing off a nautical motif.
He continued creating products that focus on clean looks and interesting hardware. Along with fishing hooks, Michael uses anchors and brummel hooks plus other types of nautical joinery.
It was to be the start of something big.
Another iconic piece, the Miansai screw-cuff bracelet has become a staple of the smart set. Worn with equal flair by both sexes, the screw-cuff bracelet is neither flashy nor tastelessly gaudy. It has a simple, ingenious design with a straight bar and screw-on fastener, and is again reminiscent of a piece of nautical hardware.
Minimalist yes, it has a flair that appeals to both men and women for its simple wearability. It is available in a variety of precious metals such as yellow and rose gold. The Embellished Screw Cuff comes in solid gold, set with pave diamonds for a more delicate, upmarket look.
More practical, everyday designs include bungee rope bracelets, simple chain bracelets and now, as we are in the era of Covid, masks with safety chains.
Miansai Watches
Miansai has made a successful transition into wearable, elegant watches. Drawing on the effortless DNA of Michael’s previous jewelry lines, Miansai watches are sophisticated, without going overboard.
Excuse the pun…
With their understated design, they offer sleek quartz movement with a mineral glass face. You can opt for the “outdoorsy,” nautical feel of a nylon or webbing strap, or a more stylish genuine Italian leather if you want to go for a more polished look.
Keep in mind: these are fashion watches. If you care about brand heritage or the technical components of a watch, look elsewhere (an automatic watch from Seiko might fit the bill).
The Miansai M12 Watch
Looking for the ultimate in understatement? The Miansai M12 watch is reminiscent of Swiss watches of the past. With vintage inspiration and a laid-back style, the M12 features a Swiss made quartz movement under a classic mineral glass face.
Miansai’s M12 watches are made for everyday wear “to be a refined and timeless statement piece.” They work on any wrist, for any occasion. The navy gold and leather M12 is set in a 39 mm gold plated case with a domed crystal and navy leather strap and it is water resistant to 3ATM. It is priced from $355.
Prices of other Minasai watches range from $325 for a nylon strap to $575 for a brown shark strap. This is reasonable or a bit expensive, depending on what you’re looking for in a watch (there are lots of great options under $500).
Look at the clever details on the M12, such as an off-center crown that looks like a ship’s shackle, or the available bright orange face and 50’s style dials – and you’ll understand the broad appeal of this watch. Affordable, stylish, easy to wear, it’s a watch that can go from day to night with equal style.
Is Miansai good quality?
Well, yes. Miansai not only offers great design, but for the price, their quality is outstanding. All Miansai products are made in-house in their Miami headquarters, where they have a warehouse and jewelry shop. They employ some 40 artisans to engrave, assemble and hand-make many of their pieces.
When Miansai says “handmade’ they are not exaggerating. They have their own machinery and tools to allow them to monitor both the quality and consistency of what they produce.
They take sketches and form the molds, melting the precious metals into a final assembly stage, so that every piece of jewelry starts and ends in-house under the watchful eye of their artisans.
Miansai uses .925 Sterling Silver, 14k Yellow and Rose Gold, and 18K gold on some items. Straps are made from top quality French Calfskin and Italian leather and custom made US Military Grade rope and ribbons.
The Verdict: Is Miansai a good place to buy men’s jewelry?
In short, yes, Miansai is a great place to buy men’s jewelry.
We’ll list the pros and cons of Miansai for you (spoiler: it’s mostly pros):
Pros
- Clean, understated, ‘democratic’ design
- Interesting, nautical-inspired motifs
- Masculine look and feel
- High quality materials
- Made in America
- Affordable pricing
- Great value for money
- Huge celebrity following
Cons
Well, frankly we don’t see many cons. If you are not a fan of minimalist style, then Miansai will not be your cup of tea. Similarly, if you don’t like to buy into an ‘on-trend’ brand, then you might have to look elsewhere.
Some of their bracelets and necklaces can get pricey, but that is because they are made of high quality gold or silver – and market prices can fluctuate. Miansai claims that they do not alter their pricing to reflect the market, though, so we’ll overlook this con.
The Miansai brand is now over 20 years old and continues to evolve, thanks to smart marketing efforts which included mobile Airstream RV retail units set up at Coachella and SXSW. Doesn’t get much cooler than that!
They now offer a wide variety of leather goods, candles, journals, a fine line of diamonds and white sapphires, and they are in the process of remodeling vintage cars to serve as new retail outlets.
Another great branding idea! Miansai is now sold in 40 US states and 36 countries around the world. Their flagship store is in the Soho district of New York and in Venice Beach, California, bastions of the hip and ‘au courants.’
Their jewelry is endlessly cool – and their fans include celebrities such as Zac Efron, Miley Cyrus, Kate Hudson and Tom Holland. We could go on.
We’ll conclude by saying that wearing a piece of Miansai jewelry puts you in great company. It also shows your individuality, your good taste and your good sense – because you really don’t need to spend a fortune to look cool.
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