Speake-Marin introduces a new Edition of the Velsheda Gothic (specs & price)

After the first Velsheda, Speake-Marin’s vision of the mono-aiguille watch (single-hand), a timepiece that was both relatively classical in terms of design and discreetly extravagant, followed later by a Gothic edition, showing a very specific typography for the numerals – something that definitely pushed this watch in the extravagant (in a good way) category – the brand today introduces a new version. What we have here is a model still with gothic inspiration, evolutions on the dial and in a limited edition of 8 pieces. Here is the second iteration of the Speake-Marin Velsheda Gothic.

Don’t expect drastic updates here. This second edition of the Speake-Marin Velsheda Gothic is evolving in a very subtle way. However, these small changes are justified by the very limited production, of only 8 pieces. A future collector’s piece… What is still in place? First, the case, measuring 42mm and showing the iconic Piccadilly shape, so dear to Peter Speake Marin – a proper signature design, that can be found in all the watches he created. It is made in Grade 5 Titanium, alternating polished and brushed surfaces (on the flanks). It retains its sculptural lugs and the large, sharp diamond crown.

What doesn’t change either is the display: a single-hand / mono-aiguille indication of the time. This type of complication is both relatively discreet, rather original, somewhat poetical and historically faithful to the watchmaking traditions. Discreet first because it is still a hand, not a crazy modern indication. Original because we are so used to read time with two hands that having only one is kind of confusing at first. Poetical simply because you have another notion of time here. Time moves slowly on a single-hand watch, precision is not the main objective. It’s a different approach. This display is here indicated by a large blued hand, with red pointer. In the middle sits a disc, shaped like a topping tool (emblem of the brand), as a running second – something that gives a nice animation on the dial.

Behind the sapphire caseback of the Speake-Marin Velsheda Gothic, we still have the Vaucher 3002 movement, which serves as a base for most classical watches of Speake-Marin. This automatic calibre is efficient, modern and nicely finished. In the version used by PSM, it has rayonnate Geneva stripes, polished bevels and it is topped by a nice blued rotor, finished by hand, with polished chamfers – again shaped like a topping tool. It boasts 50 hours of power reserve and ticks at 4Hz.

The main evolution for this second edition of the Speake-Marin Velsheda Gothic can be seen on the dial. Still made in white Grand Feu enamel, it still uses a combination of Roman and Arabic numerals, both designed in an almost medieval style, giving this watch its uniqueness. While the first edition of the Velsheda Gothic had only the number 12 coloured in red and Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9, this second edition has Arabic numerals for the 12, the 4 and the 8, all dressed in red. The rest of the indexes are thin traditional Roman numerals. A nice detail is the “enamel” mentioned in the 5.

This second edition of the Speake-Marin Velsheda Gothic will be produced in only 8 pieces and priced at 11,500 Swiss Francs (before taxes). More details on www.speake-marin.com.

Specifications of the Speake-Marin Velsheda Gothic Second Edition

• Case: 42mm diameter – grade 5 titanium, polished and brushed surfaces – sapphire crystal on both sides – 30m water resistant
• Movement: Calibre Vaucher 3002 – automatic winding – 50 hour power reserve – 28,800 vph – hours, running seconds (central axis)
• Strap: black alligator strap with pin-buckle in titanium