Pre Baselworld 2014: Presenting the Speake-Marin Spirit Seafire

Just a few weeks ago we presented Speake-Marin’s new Wing Commander. Today we introduce another pre-Baselworld novelty, being Speake-Marin’s very first chronograph. It is called the Spirit Seafire and it perfectly blends in, in the aviation-style Spirit collection. With the Spirit Seafire, Peter Speake-Marin is showing in which direction his watch brand is evolving, and we like it a LOT.

We already said that we wouldn’t be surprised, if Speake-Marin was going to introduce some totally unexpected. And with the new Spirit Seafire he did exactly that. Just have a look at all new timepieces that Speake-Marin introduced in the last few years. There’s the HMS, the Resilience, the new Serpent Calendar, the Spirit Mk.II, the Spirit DLC and the extraordinary TRIAD. And let us not forget that Peter Speake-Marin introduced the Renaissance, a Tourbillon Minute Repeater.

When we consider the impressive amount of new models, coming from a “small” independent watchmaker, we have conclude Speake-Marin is up to something. Today we see a collection of various aviation-inspired Spirit models, a collection of classic timepieces (HMS, Resilience, Serpent Calendar) and a collection of complicated timepieces. This sounds like a Speake-Marin is moving up and has big plans. Prices start at a very competitive level and there’s a lot to choose from. Is Speake-Marin paving the way for the Indy brands? We’ll find out!

When looking at the dial, we recognize a sub-dial lay-out like that from a Valjoux 7750. Because the Valjoux 7750, now owned by Swatch/ETA, isn’t available any more, the movement, caliber C99001-D, is most likely a 7750 clone. In other words, a solid movement that is build to last!

The new Spirit Seafire features the same three-dimensional hour markers, minute chapter ring, and seconds wheel at 9 o’clock in the form of the Speake-Marin ‘topping tool’ logo, as on the Spirit Wing Commander. The chronograph subdials, date and tips of the hands are also all in a bright white Super-LumiNova that contrasts superbly against the matte black dial. The white Super-LumiNova glows green in the dark, creating an exceptionally legible display, both day and night.

Peter Speake-Marin: “I have always wanted a chronograph to bear the Speake-Marin name,” says Peter Speake-Marin. “It was just a matter of finding the right platform. The Speake-Marin Spirit collection struck me as the perfect environment.” 

“I felt I could harness the Spirit’s casual style and clean aesthetics to create a highly original chronograph design. A chronograph is also in keeping with the Spirit’s military inspiration – and that’s why I have christened it the Seafire, after the iconic plane formerly deployed by the British navy to protect its fleet.”

The Spirit Seafire comes in a signature Piccadilly case with Peter Speake-Marin’s rousing call-to-action “Fight, Love & Persevere” engraved on the solid caseback. It isn’t just the Spirit’s motto – it’s a way of life. The polished grade 5 titanium case, which features lovely straight-grained sides, measures 42 mm in diameter and 15 mm in height.

Some specifications:

• Case: Piccadilly style case, Grade 5 titanium, polished and straight-grained caseband, 42mm in diameter, 15 mm in height, water resistance to 3atm/30m/100ft, front sapphire crystal treated with anti-reflective coating, solid case back with “Fight, Love and Persevere” engraved
• Movement: calibre C99001-D, automatic winding, two-pusher chronograph, date function, single barrel that offers 48 hours of autonomy when fully wound, 28,800vph (4Hz), 25 jewels (all this sounds like a Valjoux 7750 clone)
• Indications: central hours and minutes, off centre ‘Topping tool’ seconds wheel flush with dial, central chronograph second hand, 30-minute register, 12-hour register, date window at 3 o’clock,
• Strap: hand-made brown leather strap with a titanium pin buckle; hand-waxed cotton NATO strap by Suigeneric (sold separately), folding buckle (sold separately)

The Speake-Marin Spirit Seafire is priced at CHF 7,900

More info: www.speake-marin.com