The new Caliber SMA 07 is a milestone achievement for the independent watchmaker
Speake Marin collectors are drawn to the brand’s distinctive designs, but also to the hand-finished Swiss movements, which are made in-house at Le Cercle des Horlogers, a movement research and development firm near Neuchâtel, Switzerland. According to Speake Marin CEO Christelle Rosnoblet, the goal in acquiring Le Cercle des Horlogers in 2012, was not only to increase production (but only slightly) while remaining independent, but to retain the freedom to define and uphold the Speake Marin movement quality standard.
Today, the atelier produces eleven unique and exclusive calibers, including a dual time with retrograde date, a flying tourbillon, a double tourbillon, a tourbillon/minute repeater carillon, and a vertical double tourbillon. This year, Speake Marin is introducing a twelfth caliber, and it’s a masterpiece.
The new Caliber SMA 07 is the culmination of several years of research and development. It pushes the boundaries of horological technique and craftsmanship, and it represents a milestone in Speake Marin’s history. The SMA 07 is the brand’s first high-frequency movement, oscillating at 36,000 vph (5Hz) , which gives it superior precision capabilities and thus, delivers more reliable timekeeping. It drives hours, minutes and Speake Marin’s customary small seconds positioned at 1:30 on the dial, and has a 52-hour power reserve.
The SMA 07’s other great quality is its compactness. It’s an automatic movement with a fully integrated tungsten micro-rotor, which is unusually slim: all 182 components of the movement occupy a space of 35.75 mm diameter x 3.25 mm thickness.
Like all Speake Marin calibers, the SMA 07 is fully finished to high watchmaking standards. The mainplate is rhodium-plated, with vertical satin-finished, hand-bevelled microblasted profiles and angles visible on the dial side, and with a sandblasted finish visible from the caseback. The bridges are rhodium plated with vertical satin-finishing and bevelled bridges. The new Speake Marin Caliber SMA 07 will be launched in a brand new model at the upcoming Geneva Watch Days.
The new Caliber SMA 07 is the latest development in Christelle Rosnoblet’s ongoing mission to take Speake Marin to the next level, increasing production slightly without abandoning the original unique character and quality standard of the brand, maintaining its position as a maker of handcrafted and bespoke timepieces. As a watch brand, Speake Marin does not plan to make more than 1,000 watches per year. “Our greatest strength lies in our agility to control our production,” says Mrs Rosnoblet. “Managing small quantities and limited series helps us to maintain our exacting production standards. This new movement is part of that strategy.”
And what kind of new model will Speake Marin create to showcase the Caliber SMA 07, the movement that will take the brand forward into the future? Will it be skeletonized? Will the running seconds occupy the signature position at 1:30 on the dial? Will it be exquisitely finished? (We can answer a definitive “yes” to that one). To find out, we invite you to visit the Speake Marin exhibit at Geneva Watch Days August 29 to September 2.
See you there for the unveiling!