• Partager

Speake-Marin is proud to announce the arrival of a new collection based upon the iconic timepiece, Spirit.
Soberly named “Spirit”, this daring new collection demonstrates Speake-Marin’s will to further explore its own history and DNA. Succeeding its predecessor, the military inspired collection paves the way for new aesthetics and designs taking Speake-Marin into a new era.

A little history
Long before founding his own brand in 2002, English master watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin acquired a solid foundation in watchmaking in the world of restoration of antique timepieces in Piccadilly, London. One fine day, a considerably worn military wristwatch from the late 30’s was to cross Peter’s path. This enchanted encounter between high-class British savoir-faire and pure “form and function” eventually gave birth, a decade later, to the Spirit Pioneer: a subtle blend of true horological values and utilitarian design.

Introducing the Spirit Mk II DLC

A raw Spirit.
Today, Speake-Marin introduces a new addition to the Spirit collection: The Spirit Mk II DLC. Dressed in a magnificent and contrasting matt black coating, The Spirit Mk II DLC’s robes are a contrast to the white enamel, found in other collections and explores the darker side of Speake-Marin’s DNA. The spirit of adventure that led its creator to its original design, finally appeared in the guise of a time measuring instrument with bold charisma.

True to its name, the Spirit Mark II DLC retains the Pioneer’s rousing – and resonant – call to action through the inspirational motto “Fight, Love & Persevere” engraved on the case-back.

A complex three-dimensional dial
The Spirit Mark II DLC’s three-dimensional, one-piece dial features refined numerals and hour markers in white Super-LumiNova that contrasts superbly against the light-absorbing matt black finished case. The resulting indications are eminently legible and present a fresh new level of sophistication.

The resine dial is as demanding to produce as an enamel dial, involving a cutting-edge technique. The first step is to create a three-dimensional mould of the multi-level dial elements including hour and minute markers, numerals, railroad chapter ring, Speake-Marin logo and topping-tool motif, as well as the Spirit title.

This mould is used to make a negative mould in which lacquer and Super-LumiNova masks are successively applied, ensuring the right materials and colours are in the correct places. When set, the one-piece dial face is removed from the mould and bonded to a traditional dial plate.

The powerful TT738 Caliber
The Spirit Mark 2 DLC retains an exceptional power reserve – five days – thanks to the use of a unidirectional, automatic-winding movement and the addition of a second barrel.

New case and bezel
The dial of the Spirit Mark 2 DLC is beautifully framed by a hand finished circular grained bezel. This finishing enhances the casual, contemporary style for which the Spirit has become known, as does the slim 42mm sandblasted stainless steel case and coated with anthracite DLC. The case-back is solid and slightly domed – a combination that provides considerable strength and protection for the movement within.

An inspirational message
On the case-back, the centrally engraved Speake-Marin ‘topping tool’ motif catches the eye. However, it is the engraved inspirational rallying cry – “Fight, Love & Persevere” – that steals the attention, upholds the Spirit Collection’s name and confirms its credentials as the perfect talisman.

Presenting the Spirit Seafire

The Spirit Seafire is Speake-Marin’s first ever chronograph. High-contrast
Super-LumiNova on all indications, including the date, makes for superb legibility both
day and night, while the titanium case ensures comfortable wearing.

First solo flight. First carrier landing. First mission. While most ‘firsts’ happen in our formative years, luckily there are still a few personal milestones left for us to enjoy as fully-fledged grown-ups.

English watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin has been creating mechanically superlative, aesthetically distinctive high-end timepieces out of his atelier in Switzerland for over a decade. In this time, the Speake-Marin collection has grown to include complications such as jumping hours, perpetual calendars, tourbillons and minute repeaters. But no chronograph – until now.

The Spirit Seafire is Speake-Marin’s first ever chronograph. In addition to its chronograph counters (central elapsed seconds; elapsed minutes subdial at 12 o’clock; elapsed hours subdial at 6 o’clock), it features central hours and minutes; date at 3 o’clock; seconds wheel at 9 o’clock in the form of the Speake-Marin ‘topping tool’ logo; and signature Piccadilly case in polished grade 5 titanium with straight-grained sides.

The Seafire’s three-dimensional hour markers, minute chapter ring, chronograph subdials, date and tips of the hands are all in a bright white Super-LumiNova that contrasts superbly against the matte black dial. The white Super-LumiNova glows an atmospheric green in the dark, creating an exceptionally legible display, both day and night.

“I have always wanted a chronograph to bear the Speake-Marin name,” says Peter Speake-Marin. “It was just a matter of finding the right platform. The Speake-Marin Spirit collection struck me as the perfect environment.

“I felt I could harness the Spirit’s casual style and clean aesthetics to create a highly original chronograph design. A chronograph is also in keeping with the Spirit’s military inspiration – and that’s why I have christened it the Seafire, after the iconic plane formerly deployed by the British navy to protect its fleet.”

The Seafire: A first for Speake-Marin, a first for the Royal Navy
The Spirit Seafire is the first Speake-Marin chronograph and its name is fitting since it is inspired by another ‘first’ – one from the sphere of aviation – the Supermarine Seafire. The Seafire was the first modern carrier-based airplane fielded by the British Royal Navy to protect its fleet when it debuted in 1942. The Seafire was, in essence, a seaborne version of Supermarine’s Spitfire – Seafire was a contraction of ‘Sea Spitfire’ – and the two aircraft shared many design features including an elliptical wing shape.

A casual aura, high legibility and refined display make the Seafire an unmistakable Spirit
The Speake-Marin Spirit inhabits a masculine world inspired by the British military where you can practically smell the heady blend of high-octane aviation fuel and the sweat of nervous anticipation. While dress code can be casual – the Spirit looks just as good with a flight suit as with formal attire – courage is essential…

The Spirit Seafire is a chronograph for conducting your missions with military precision, down to the second. The white-on-black indications are highly legible during the day; their green glow in the dark gives perfect visibility during a night flight.

Peter Speake-Marin has put considerable thought into optimising the Seafire’s legibility. Not only has he skeletonised the central Speake-Marin signature ‘Foundation’ hour and minute hands, but he has also designed the counterweight of the central chronograph elapsed seconds hand as an open circle. Such design features ensure clear, unobstructed views of the chronograph counters.

It is rare to see Roman numerals feature on chronograph counters, but here Peter has used them for the subdial at 6 o’clock. This touch of refinement echoes the other models in the collection and helps to distinguish elapsed hours from the elapsed minutes in Arabic numerals at 12 o’clock.

And the Seafire would not be a Spirit without Peter Speake-Marin’s rousing call-to-action “Fight, Love & Persevere” engraved on the solid caseback. It isn't just the Spirit motto – it’s a way of life.

Sophisticated dial composition
Seconds can be monitored via the circular cut-out in the white-lacquered ‘topping tool’ wheel at 9 o’clock – set flush with the dial – as it passes by a vertical Super-LumiNova white line. This line is set into the surface, as are the Speake-Marin name and chapter ring railroad-tracks, while the Roman and Arabic numerals as well as the hour and minute indicators are in three-dimensional Super-LumiNova, creating a multi-level dial profile.

To create the Seafire’s dial, a three-dimensional mould of the multi-level dial elements was produced to make a negative mould in which lacquer and Super-LumiNova masks were successively applied by hand, ensuring the correct materials and colours were in the right places. When set, the one-piece dial face was removed from the mould and bonded to the dial plate.

The Seafire: Robust, reliable and ready for battle
When the heat is on and the chips are down, the Spirit Seafire comes up trumps in both performance and attitude, thanks to its workhorse integrated chronograph movement. Automatic winding and a 48-hour power reserve ensure there’s always enough energy on tap for even the most testing conditions.

As the first Speake-Marin chronograph, the Spirit Seafire required a new Piccadilly case. Polished pushers gleaming at 2 o’clock (start/stop) and 4 o’clock (reset), bear testament to the complication within, while the bezel has been raised to accommodate the additional hands. The three-position fluted crown enables manual winding, rapid date change and hacking seconds. And for added protection, Peter Speake-Marin has set the crown slightly into the caseband.

The Speake-Marin Spirit Seafire is available with a grade 5 titanium case.

Presenting the Spirit Wing Commander

The Spirit Wing Commander features high-visibility big date, power reserve indicator and
‘topping tool’ seconds wheel; three-dimensional dial; and titanium case

The Speake-Marin Spirit inhabits a masculine world inspired by the British military where you can practically smell the heady blend of high-octane aviation fuel and the sweat of nervous anticipation. While dress code can be casual – the Spirit looks just as good with a flight suit as with formal attire – courage is essential…

With its highly legible display including big date and power reserve indicator in a high-tech titanium case, the Spirit Wing Commander packs a battle-hardened punch and adds a fresh dimension to the Speake-Marin Spirit collection.

Equipped for the mission: Big date and power reserve
The Spirit Wing Commander is armed with a clutch of indications: Central hours and minutes signalled by sculpted Speake-Marin ‘Foundation’ hands hand-filled with bright white Super-LumiNova (which glows an atmospheric green in the dark); white lacquered seconds wheel at 9 o’clock in the shape of the Speake-Marin ‘topping tool’ icon; white lacquered big date at 12 o’clock; and power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock.

Instrument panel boasting high-legibility and elegance
The Wing Commander’s power reserve indicator arc provides an intuitive ‘fuel gauge’, displaying a bright Super-LumiNova white when completely wound (full), turning black (half-full), then red (running on empty) as the available energy diminishes. The big date requires only the briefest of glances thanks to its generously-sized display window.

Seconds can be monitored via the circular cut-out in the ‘topping tool’ wheel – flush with the dial – as it passes by a vertical Super-LumiNova white line. The latter is set into the surface, as are the Speake-Marin logo and chapter ring railroad-track, while Roman numerals and hour and minute indicators are in three-dimensional Super-LumiNova, creating a multi-level dial profile.

The fresh white Super-LumiNova and white lacquer contrast superbly with the matte black dial to endow the Wing Commander with exceptional legibility. And the highly visible indications are no less elegant – the Roman Numerals, the ‘topping tool’ seconds wheel and the three-dimensionality of the dial all add a touch of refinement, elegantly counterbalancing the Spirit’s casual aura.

Sophisticated dial construction
To create the Wing Commander’s dial, a three-dimensional mould of the multi-level dial elements was produced to make a negative mould in which lacquer and Super-LumiNova masks were successively applied by hand, ensuring the correct materials and colours were in the right places. When set, the one-piece dial face was removed from the mould and bonded to the dial plate.

Robust, reliable and ready for battle
When called into action, the Spirit Wing Commander delivers in both performance and attitude. The ultra-dependable Calibre 1024SPM movement is a real workhorse, the automatic winding rotor and 48-hour power reserve ensuring there’s always enough energy on tap for even the most testing conditions.

For added protection, the Speake-Marin signature fluted crown is set slightly into the straight-grained caseband of the polished grade 5 titanium case with screwed lugs. The three-position crown enables manual winding, rapid date change and hacking seconds.

‘Fight, Love & Persevere’
Finally, the Wing Commander would not be a Spirit without Peter Speake-Marin’s rousing call-to-action “Fight, Love & Persevere” engraved on the solid caseback. It isn't just the Spirit motto – it’s a way of life.

The Speake-Marin Spirit Wing Commander is available in titanium.

Original language: English