Speake-Marin

Apr 18, 2022,11:21 AM
 

Calling out to the owners and fans of Speke-Marin.

I stumbled across the new Ripple while browsing and found it a quite attractive entry into the overcrowded sports watch sector.

Now, I don’t know anything about Speake-Marin as a company. I am familiar with the Piccadilly of ca. 20 years ago but I understand the man himself has left some time ago. What is your take on the maison and the brand today? What about the quality of their work, especially on the finishing side? They talk (of course) about inhouse movements - any info on how they work?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

Best,
Daniel




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Could you elaborate?

 
By: mrds : April 18th, 2022-11:47
I‘m trying to find out exactly what they have become. No idea what’s behind the brand.

Just put Speake Marin in search

 
By: SALMANPK : April 18th, 2022-12:21
Look at posts from 10 plus years ago and look at them now, you'll get your answer

I agree 100%.

 
By: matto1 : April 18th, 2022-17:32
Peter did very special work. All the soul left the brand when he exited. Would love to see (and reserve) a new watch deigned and made by him.

Many of us feel that way about his earlier work….

 
By: NickO : April 18th, 2022-19:43
The irony of this post is that the designs PSM has released for his inexpensive watch collection in his latest venture called STOIC, are arguably every bit as derivative as the watch posted here by the OP.

I heard a reliable watch blogger..

 
By: Cookies : April 18th, 2022-11:55
The brand was bought by the daughter of the Carrefour supermarket brand (unsure if it is the owner or franchisee. The whole dynamics of the brand has changed and few ADs stock this brand anymore. The ripples is quite lovely. I like it.

Peter left the company to start "the Naked Watchmaker" around 2017...

 
By: Blansky : April 18th, 2022-14:30
with his business partner Daniela Marin, after finding the stresses of operating an independent watchmaking company no longer to his liking. I believe the CEO Christelle Rosnoblet took over the company, They seem to make a lot of custom pieces and a coupl... 

I agree, this is not an outburst of creativity.

 
By: mrds : April 18th, 2022-20:07
Then again, isn’t there a market for a well made sports watch that has no ugly date or wrong proportions?

Doesn’t look anything like their former unique designs

 
By: takman : April 18th, 2022-15:18
Not to sound harsh but I’d sum it up as “uninspired”. However if you’re new to the brand and like the look, hey why not??

Sorry to be tough, but highly unnecessary is the only description here...I can justify (and even enjoy) some of these modern Indies, which despite their lack of history, at least bring to our "horological table" a new design, or a great movement, etc..

 
By: FabR : April 18th, 2022-15:27
But honestly here, seeing a relatively new brand which just tries to stick around with no effort (let's jump on the sports watch bandwagon and cash in with the caricature of a Nautilus....) is quite sad! ;-) I do remember the nice and peculiar designs the... 

I see your point and I mostly agree.

 
By: mrds : April 18th, 2022-20:30
This is not a very creative watch. It is hopping on the integrated bracelet sports watch bandwaggon. Agreed. However, how many other brands do the same? Is the Odysseus highly necessary? Is the green version of the 5711 the pinnacle of innovation in haute... 

Hi Daniel, I guess the common reaction here was one of legitimate disappointment (especially, but not only, by the fans of this brand), *because* of a promising/interesting Indie that evidently got lost after the departure of its founder...

 
By: FabR : April 18th, 2022-21:10
If you mix that with some obvious fatigue when people see yet another brand jump on the steel sports watch bandwagon, then of course you won't get many positive reactions.... ;-) For this "modern Indie," which by its own nature is expected to offer great ... 

As a business owner, I totally understand the pressure and stress he must have felt In running his atelier…

 
By: NickO : April 19th, 2022-00:58
But it’s almost like he decided to do a complete 180 degree turn. Building inexpensive quartz watches or basic Seiko movements is about as far removed from haute horology as you can go. We have an expression in English “don’t throw the baby out with the b... 

I just now had the time to look up PSM's STOIC venture...

 
By: mrds : April 20th, 2022-08:56
Pretty sad to see this offering, which really is nothing but knock-offs of Daytonas and IWCs running on generic Seiko movements.

Dear Daniel

 
By: Mr.Gatsby : April 18th, 2022-16:01
Hope all is well on your end and glad you posted this, as it is worth some form of discussion. Personally, my humble two cents is that I probably wouldn’t consider such a watch. I don’t like the fact that PSM has left the company and it certainly didn’t f... 

Thank you for your comments

 
By: mrds : April 18th, 2022-20:44
I agree with the watch being a less than innovative entry in the luxury sports segment, borrowing heavily from the Nautilus. As I wrote in response to FabR, I believe this is true for many recent sports watches. I agree 100% the Royal Oak or Nautilus is a... 

actually

 
By: TylerDurden : April 18th, 2022-16:19
I like it a lot , very funny what happen with this watch on the web, much people looove it and the one who don't like it just hate it and bash it.

Winner right there! Easy number one! Too bad it's the Ugly Olympics Speake-Marin is competing in...

 
By: vitalsigns : April 18th, 2022-17:25
Like with the Lange Odysseus (many will disagree here), companies are choosing immediately noticeable, distinctive designs as opposed to good harmonious less distinctive designs. This S-M looks like a total dog to me.

I like it.

 
By: shafran : May 25th, 2023-19:35
Just tried the ripples. Thin, comfortable, looks much better in person. More comfortable than my ap 15500 but similar size. ...