Speake-Marin introduces a new date complication to their breathtaking Ripples collection
D.C. Hannay- Speake-Marin introduces a new date complication to their dazzling Ripples model for Watches & Wonders 2023.
- The striped black dial mirrors the Côtes de Genève texture found on the movement’s bridges.
- The La City case’s contours are meant to evoke the architecture of London.
Whenever a new watch is introduced, there’s usually an aspect of the design that jumps out, whether it’s a stunning dial, unique case architecture, or a gorgeous movement. And sometimes, you find all three in one watch. The new Speake-Marin Ripples Date is that watch. This release remixes the multi-angled razzle-dazzle that you find in the realm of the best integrated sports watch designs, along with the old world craft more commonly found in the dial and movement finishing of the finest Swiss houses. Is Traditional Futurism a thing? I think it may be. Let’s take a closer look at the breathtaking beauty of the new Speake-Marin Ripples Date.
Looking at the case first, it’s a Bacchanalia for the eyes, with a rounded-square countenance that unfolds with detail upon delightful detail. Finely brushed surfaces flow effortlessly into polished chamfers, forming a sinuous crown guard on the right side, and continuing throughout. I especially love the lug angles that transmit their lines seamlessly into the first outer link of the integrated bracelet. Speake-Marin calls it the La City case design, and it’s meant to recall the architecture of London, the home of original founder Peter Speake-Marin. It measures 40.3mm in diameter, with a case height of just 9.2mm, impressive for all that’s going on here. Water resistance is 50 metres. The integrated stainless bracelet is a jewellry piece unto itself, with sleek tapering and polished centre links that provide some real spotlight-grabbing flash.
Speaking of flash, the whole piece speaks to me in a very rock ‘n roll voice, a mashup of T. Rex and AC/DC for the eyes. There’s that dial, which flaunts a Côtes de Genève-textured Ripples finish in heavy metal black, fading into the grey of your favourite vintage t-shirt as the light hits it. The silver applied markers glint against that backdrop, as does the rhodium-plated spade-shaped hour hand. Motörhead would be proud. There’s a small seconds display that sits between 12 and 3, which seems like an odd choice, but I find it becomes intuitively easier to read, and as you’re probably more likely to set the time during regular business hours, odds are slim that it’ll get in the way. Unless you’re Motörhead, in which case “business hours” are a completely different concept. New on this model is a framed date window at 6, with an elegantly tall font that closely matches the height of the adjacent hour indices. The dial as a whole provides endless detail in which to get lost.
Not enough fireworks? Let’s take a trip backstage, and gawk at that stunner of a movement. There’s more Geneva striping on the bridgework, and this time it’s vertically done, along with hand-finished beveling on the edges. You’ll also find gold-filled engraving, a decorated micro-rotor, and engine turning on the base plate. The in-house automatic SMA03-TD runs at 28,800 VpH, has 31 jewels, and a power reserve of 52 hours. And it brings a total of eight in-house calibers to Speake-Marin’s lineup. Boom.
It’s clear the Speake-Marin Ripples Date is no ordinary, mass-produced integrated design. Every detail speaks to the care and thought that was obviously put in, and the sum total of all these elements positively dazzles on the wrist. I’m a huge fan of both rock ‘n roll and fine watchmaking, and this piece absolutely rocks.
Speake-Marin Ripples Date pricing and availability:
| Brand | Speake-Marin |
| Model | Ripples Date |
| Case Dimensions | 40.3mm (D) x 9.2mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Dial | Black |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Bracelet/Strap | Stainless steel integrated |
| Movement | SMA03-TD automatic |
| Power Reserve | 52 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date |
| Availability | Now, limited to 250/year |
| Price | CHF23,900 |