Independents
SJX provides an in-depth look at the creation of a custom maki-e monkey dial for a Peter Speake-Marin watch, offering a rare glimpse into the meticulous artistry involved. This post, enriched with numerous photos and insights from Daniela Speake-Marin and the client, illuminates the laborious process of traditional Japanese lacquer work. It underscores the profound personalization possible in independent watchmaking and the cultural significance behind bespoke motifs.
Many expressed interest in knowing more about the custom maki-e dial with a monkey motif I posted some days ago (click here for the original post). I've obtained more photos and information from the ever helpful Daniela Speake-Marin and the customer who ordered the watch has consented to me posting the process.
According to Daniela:
"The maki-e Artist is Yamazaki Mushu. I believe it took approximately 2 months to make the Monkey, if you look at the pictures there are dates on the bottom left corner, the dates start on 10th July and finish on the 15th September.
Please note that although this is a much simpler subject, the size of the insert is considerably smaller than the other dials he has made for us so the procedure is just as laborious. [This insert forms the central portion of the dial, it is not the entire dial, as can be seen from the drawing shown in the first image below.]
Last time we presented the images of the making of a Makie dial, the question was posed why the red at the bottom. I believe that it is indeed to build up height. [Certain maki-e techniques call for layers to be built up so as to give the motif depth and texture.]"
Many thanks to the owner for agreeing to share this with us. I look forward to seeing the completed piece in person. 
Here are the images of the incrediby laborious process.
A true masterpiece in arts & crafts. I wonder, though, why this particular motif is chosen. Is their some symbolic or religious background for choosing this particular and unusual motif? Please bear with me, if I have overseen an explanation somewhere else. Thanks in advance, and thanks for showing the huge working process behind the result. Sven
According to the customer who ordered the watch, the monkey motif was selected because his son was born in the Chinese year of the Monkey. As for the rational behind the unusual choice of numerals: "I don't want to clutter the watch with too many numbers on the dial, the basic Shimoda has too many in my opinion. Most watches have 12, 3, 6 and 9." So in order to make the watch unique, 2, 4, 8 and 10 were used instead, and in Chinese characters. Some further words from the owner: "I wanted the dia
.... very interesting and thorough explanation. I had a feeling that the motif might had that origin. Anyway, the execution of the motif is brilliant, the choice of the Shimoda concept very clever as is the choice of having markers at 2, 4, 8 and 10. It all adds up to a very harmonious layout, very personalized and unique. One more thank you for a very intriguing article, SJX. Sven
and I think that is evident in his vision of what he wants the PSM to be. This is not the only custom or bespoke watch he has ordered, so hopefully he will share his other projects with us in due time. - SJX
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