Independents
Dje's original post from Baselworld 2012 introduces the Peter Speake-Marin Serpent Calendar, a watch that marked a significant shift in the brand's offerings. Dje, a long-time admirer of Speake-Marin's independent style, highlights how this new reference, with its more accessible sizing and price point, made the brand's distinctive aesthetic available to a broader audience. This article synthesizes community insights on its design, movement, and market positioning.
In the last
years I've had several opportunities to see some watches made by Peter
Speake-Marin, either in real at shows or here on PuristSPro. I've long
been fan of his style and seduced by his independent approach: different but
somewhat accessible, tasty but classic enough for me.
So far
I've been preserved from any serious temptation as his watches were in
general too large for me, at least those appealing to my taste. My small wrist
is a great advantage in fact. The Marin 1 is a great example: the watch is
perfect, thickness excepted for my taste.
But
that's over. This year Peter is showing and launching the new
"serpent calendar". This time the proportion are those I like. The
case is available in 38 or 42mm size (38 is perfect for me) and the thickness
is a reasonable (even if not thin) 12mm.
The watch is
launched in steel or pink gold.
Look at the
stainless steel 42 below (the 42 has a larger bezel than the 38, the pink gold
version on the third pic is a 38). It has all the charm of the very classy PSM
design: a strong case with gorgeous attachment bars and crown, a beautiful
white lacquered dial on two levels, 4 gorgeous heat-blued hands.
On the back the
watch shows an automatic calibre Eros 1 (this is not the SM2 calibre), it is
got from Technotime, a TT738, but hand refinished for or by Peter and gets the
PSM circular PVD blued rotor. This twin barrel 120 hours power reserve calibre
beats at 28800 vph and has a stop seconds function.
As written by
Peter this calibre is "re-designed, hand-finished and assembled according
to Speake-Marin style and quality standards established by the Foundation
watch".
And the
positive aspect of this calibre choice, nicely finished and deserving enough
for fitting your wrist, is a price point that makes it a dream that can come
true!
Retrospectively
I've had not enough time to spend with this watch at Baselworld. Peter is
really pleasing to discuss with and I had never imagined myself with one of his
watches before, for size and price reasons. This time I'm in trouble! At
least there's no reason I'll see his watches in real again before
November!
Below is the
38mm pink gold version!
Did I need this
watch? No! Do we need watches? No! Do I want this watch? Yes! Will I get it? No
idea, but hopes (but I need my Nautilus first). Thanks for reading!
Best
Dje
Peter did a good move with these Serpent Calendar: he managed to propose a very credible watch at an affordable price for a Speake-Marin watch. I prefer the 38mm version, more elegant, I find the bezel a bit too thick with the 42mm case. I will come back to these watches later. Fx
I may be the only one, but think I prefer the original Serpent with the enamel dial and bigger date hand.
and yes, given the lug design which makes teh watch wear big, I too find the 38mm teh perfect size.
maybe because of the roman numerals and the quite elegant overall look. This watch seems lighter but, in the mean time, it has maybe a less stronger character than other SMs. Thanks for the details and the pics Dje. Best, Mark
I really like this version of the Serpent Calendar. I could see easily envisage the steel version as a daily wearer. I don't know much about Technotime though. I would assume it is a high quality movement after receiving the PSM treatment. Regards, Richard.
hope a similar excercise can be conducted on the Technoxxx movement. best, Horo
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