By Meor Amri Meor Ayob
Approximately seven months ago, in July 2013, Peter Speak-Marin was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for an event for the members of the Malaysian Watch Forum. It was a small and intimate event. For almost 4 hours, Peter talked about the brand and his life’s work.
He started out briefly talking about what independent watchmaking was all about and how he started to cater to watch ethusiasts. He then went through the various series of his works and how some pieces or collection evolved through time.
(Photo Source: Malaysia Watch Forum Group)
Peter Speak-Marin embodies his creation and his creations caries his passion. To have one of his watches is to have the realisation of his dreams in your hands. The latest design is no exception.
The Speake-Marin Spirit Wing Commander features a three-dimensional dial in a strong titanium case. With high-visibility big date, power reserve indicator and ‘topping tool’ seconds wheel, this new model would fit perfectly in a pilot environment yet has the undercurrent of sophistication that exudes style and confidence.
The Wing Commander’s dial was created with multi-level dial elements in lacquer and Super-LumiNova paint. This creates a three-dimensional effect which can only be trully appreciated once you see the watch up close and personal.
The central hours and minutes hands are Speake-Marin ‘Foundation’ hands painted with bright white Super-LumiNova. The paint glows green in the dark. Meanwhile, a white lacquered seconds wheel at 9 o’clock in the shape of the Speake-Marin ‘topping tool’ icon can be monitored via the circular cut-out in the ‘topping tool’ wheel that is flush with the dial as it passes by a vertical Super-LumiNova white line.
The power reserve indicator is situated at 6 o’clock position. This indicator was created to be similar like a ‘fuel gauge’ i.e. displaying a bright Super-LumiNova white when completely wound (full), turning black (half-full), then red (close to empty).
Meanwhile, the white lacquered big date is on top of the brand name.
The large diamond shape crown with the ‘topping tool’ icon etched on the top is beautifully design and reminicient of the flieger watch of old. For added protection, the 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.
The Spirit Wing Commander is powered by the Calibre 1024SPM movement; an automatic winding rotor with 48-hour power reserve. This particular caliber operates in the 28,800 vph or 4 Hz range.
The case back is solid and engraved with a lot of information about the watch including a motto “Fight, Love & Persevere”.
It is such a pretty watch. It would be an awesome dress watch to wear with a tuxedo. To know that it was made with dedication and passion by the brand owner himself bump up the intrinsic value to a level that way surpass the material value of the watch itself.
Price : $ 8,750 speake-marin.com
Meor Amri Meor Ayob – Contributing Editor
Meor Amri is a passionate watch collector from Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Having bitten by the horology bug in 2010, he has written extensively about the watch scene and has assembled a large collection of watches (excessively!!) on his own free time.
His blogs on the same subject are: Watch Collection Hobby & My Horological Photos
