Peter Speake-Marin Shimoda Majestic Monkey

SJX shares an exclusive look at a custom Peter Speake-Marin timepiece, the Shimoda Majestic Monkey, commissioned by a discerning client. This post delves into the collaborative process between watchmaker and collector, highlighting the unique maki-e dial and a never-before-seen frosted case finish. SJX's detailed account offers a rare glimpse into bespoke independent watchmaking.

Some weeks ago I posted images of a custom watch from Peter Speake-Marin, a single-hand watch with a custom maki-e dial depicting a monkey - the Shimoda Majestic Monkey. 

Click here  for 37 photos of the dial as it was painted by Yamazaki Mushu.

Click here  to see images supplied by Daniela Speake-Marin of the completed watch and also for the client's reasons behind the design.

Peter was recently in Singapore and the client who had ordered the watch flew into Singapore, he is not Singaporean, to meet Peter and collect his masterpiece.

I was honoured to have been asked by the client to come along to meet Peter. I got to see the finished masterpiece and I must admit I was surprised. The watch looked a lot better than I had imagined from the initial drawing. If you read my past posts as linked above, you'll see I made no comments on the design, I was unsure how the finished product would look.

Peter and the client created a wonderful and unique design, a testament to both their taste. You'll notice that the case has a frosted finish, the first time such a finish has been applied for a Peter Speake-Marin timepiece. This sandblasted finished makes the thick Piccadilly case look slimmer; the thick case is what I dislike most about PSM watches, this finish mitigates the problem. Also, the frosted case finish sets off the maki-e dial centre beautifully.

Here are photos of the watch as it was delivered. The pictures could have been much better, they do not do justice to the timepiece. Notice the finely drawn monkey, the exquisite details.

Peter and the client deserve praise for their vision. The client was naturally extremely pleased with the final product. Notably he also praised Daniela Speake-Marin for being so easy to work with, he has experience ordering custom and bespoke pieces from other well-known watchmakers and this has been his most pleasant experience yet.

- SJX