The Latest from Peter Speake-Marin

As the countdown continues towards the start of Salon QP, it goes without saying that one of England's most accomplished active watchmaker's will be there with his latest creation.  So here's the scoop, straight from the source -

Presenting the Spirit Mark 2    

Courtesy of Peter Speake-Marin

Spirit: Fight, Love & Persevere
The Spirit Mark 2 sees Peter Speake-Marin revisit the popular Spirit Pioneer and redesign it from the ground up. The Mark 2 retains the distinctive identity of the Pioneer, but has a new movement, dial and case.

What remains the same is the message that Spirit conveys. True to its name, the Spirit Mark 2 retains the Pioneer’s rousing – and resonant – call to action through the inspirational motto “Fight, Love & Persevere” engraved on the case-back.

New dial
The Spirit Mark 2’s three-dimensional, one-piece dial features refined numerals and hour markers in white Super-LumiNova that contrasts superbly against the light-absorbing matte black. The resulting indications are eminently legible and present a fresh, clean sophistication.

The dial is as demanding to produce as an enamel dial, involving a cutting-edge technique. The first step is to create a three-dimensional mould of the multi-level dial elements including hour and minute markers, numerals, railroad chapter ring, Speake-Marin logo and topping-tool motif, as well as the Spirit title.

This ‘male’ mould is used to make a negative, or ‘female’, mould in which lacquer and Super-LumiNova masks are successively applied, ensuring the right materials and colours are in the correct places. When set, the one-piece dial face is removed from the mould and bonded to a traditional dial plate. 

Courtesy of Peter Speake-Marin

New movement
The Spirit Mark 2 has a far longer power reserve than the Pioneer – five days – thanks to a new unidirectional, automatic-winding movement.

New case and bezel
The dial of the Spirit Mark 2 is beautifully framed by a hand finished circular grained bezel. This finishing enhances the casual, contemporary style for which the Spirit has become known, as does the slim 42mm stainless steel case. The case-back is solid and slightly domed – a combination that provides considerable strength and protection for the movement within.

Same inspirational message
On the case-back, the centrally engraved Speake-Marin ‘topping tool’ motif catches the eye. However, it is the engraved inspirational rallying cry – “Fight, Love & Persevere” – that steals the attention, upholds the Spirit’s name and confirms its credentials as the perfect talisman.

Peter Speake-Marin says: “The themes of determination, tenacity and love were close to my heart when I created the Spirit series. Having travelled around all four corners of the globe, I have seen that these themes resonate with many different people in many different cultures.

“Spirit seems to express a universal sentiment and so it was important for me to carry this, the essence of the Spirit, over from the Spirit Pioneer and into the Spirit Mark 2.

“I have therefore retained the ‘Fight, Love & Persevere’ motto from the Spirit Pioneer, but have engraved it even larger on the Mark 2 case-back to reinforce the powerful message.” 

Courtesy of Peter Speake-Marin

The Spirit Mark 2 – Technical Specifications

The Spirit Mark 2 is available in a 42mm, stainless steel case

             Features and Indications:

• High-legibility, three-dimensional one-piece dial
• Central hours, minutes and seconds
• Case-back engraved motto “Fight, Love and Persevere”
• Automatic movement with long, five-day power reserve
  
  
  Dial and Hands:

• Numerals, hour and minute markers, railroad chapter ring, Speake-Marin name, topping tool motif and Spirit title all in white Super-LumiNova moulded as part of one-piece dial with matte black base
• Foundation central hour and minute hands in white lacquer, hand-filled with white Super-LumiNova
• White lacquered central second hand 
  
  Movement:

• Calibre TT738
• Unidirectional automatic-winding mechanical movement
• Dimensions: 30.40mm x 4.35mm
• Power reserve: 120 hours
• Jewels: 35
• Twin barrels
• Frequency: 28,800vph / 4Hz
  
  Case and strap:

• Piccadilly three-piece case
• Diameter: 42mm
• Height: 12mm
• Material: Stainless steel
• Water resistance: 3 atm/30m/100’
• Front sapphire crystal treated with multi-layer anti-reflective coatings
• Domed compression case back with central Speake-Marin topping-tool engraving
• “Speake-Marin” engraved on case-back above topping-tool motif
• “Fight, Love & Persevere” motto engraved on the case back below topping-tool motif
• Red-brown calf leather strap with contrasting white stitching and stainless steel tang buckle 
  
  
  
  
  www.speake-marin.com   

Meridian Watches - Made in England!

What's that you say?  Who is Meridian? 

In just a few weeks' time, Salon QP will convene and with it, the introduction of Meridian's range of timekeepers.  Meridian is a new brand, based in England.  And by that I don't mean a P.O. box or bunch of offices.  These watches are all made by hand in England!  

I don't want to steal their thunder - so here is a preliminary sketch to give you a flavor.  What I can tell you is that these are truly HAND MADE watches.  No mass stamping, outsourcing from third-party suppliers - no compromising.  This is the real deal.

This will be a watch that you not only want to have now, but for a lifetime.   Folks, as you can imagine, I see and handle a LOT of watches - this is something that is truly going to take your breath away.  It is not a show pony, to be locked up in your safe - this is a watch that demands to be worn!

Courtesy of Meridian

Here's the news - straight from the source -

In rural Norfolk, The Meridian Watch Company are hand-making watches that remind the world of England’s proud watchmaking heritage.

As proclaimed by their slogan, 'Made in England', Meridian manufactures the components and sources the materials from the home of Byron and Blake. From the case and back, machined as a pair to fit perfectly, to the leather or webbing strap, hand- stitched in Surrey, every element is carefully hand-worked to their exacting standards and English sensibilities – understated, enduring and purposeful. Lastly, the base Swiss movement is hand-finished in Meridian's style – with added complications improving accuracy – and the watch is assembled in the workshop.

Meridian watches are intended to be worn, knocked about and enjoyed: the straps grow to the individual contours of your wrist, the sapphire crystal is coated on both sides by a British military contractor for unsurpassed clarity and toughness, and the case has been designed to handle a lifetime's exposure to the elements, both in England and abroad. To facilitate this, the packaging includes a complimentary passport holder from SmythsonTM of Bond Street. Handmade tools also accompany every Meridian timepiece. 

You can watch the countdown to release here -

http://www.meridianwatches.com