The most standout Ripples to date adds a blast of glamour to the sporty collection
Like all good designs, the Speake Marin Ripples case and dial configuration can be easily adapted to multiple interpretations. From a denim blue dial to a dune dial with a date window, each configuration offers a whole new look without ever veering too far from the unique visual identity of the Ripples design. The dial’s 12 deep, rounded, satin-finished grooves, the sub-seconds at 1:30, the Big Ben hands, and the rounded square case retain the core aesthetic and make the Ripples as recognizable to an aficionado as a Nautilus. The solid gold version, introduced just before Watches and Wonders in April, takes the Ripples to another level.
The Ripples Gold is the first in the collection with a solid 18k gold case and elevates the collection beyond the sport-watch aesthetic to a step above the Ripples 20th Anniversary piece with a yellow gold dial, released in 2022. The rose gold adds a touch of glamour that is rarely seen in the luxury sport segment. Were it not for the denim-motif strap, the gold Ripples would be more classic dress watch than sports watch.
A Subtle, Pink Hue
The La City case style also grounds the watch as being less formal than the Piccadilly, Speake Marin’s other case style. It consists of 40 components, and that complexity seems more on display here in red gold than on the steel cases. The 4N color is a subtle pink hue verging on red, alloyed from a mixture of 75% gold, 9% silver, and 16% copper. The color enhances the beveled angles and polished/satin-brushed finishes, emphasizing its multi-level, architectural construction. The right side of the case extends slightly outward to protect the knurled crown, with polished center links at either end connecting it seamlessly to the strap. At 40.3 mm wide x 9.2 mm thick, the case is bold enough to be interesting and display its complex construction, yet slender enough to remain wearable.
The brown dial is a good fit for the 4N gold frame and makes the ripples pattern pop with extra depth. It features a “zapon” finish, a transparent coating similar to PVD treatment, which imparts a golden-brown light reflection while preserving the dial’s color and brilliance. The baton indexes, Big Ben hands, and minute track are all 4N gold-plated to match the case. The visual weight of the dial is at 1:30, where the gold seconds counter shines like a blazing sun. The effect is somehow uplifting compared to the usual subdial position at 6 o’clock, which draws the eye downward.
Ethical Gold Certified
At the heart of the watch is an in-house caliber, the SMA03-T, the key feature of which is a gear train architecture that allows the small seconds subdial to be positioned at 1:30. Another key element is the off-center micro-rotor made of tungsten— a metal with a higher density than 22K gold and therefore much heavier —which helps optimize the watch’s winding efficiency and contributes to its respectable 52-hour power reserve. The alternating silver- and gold-plated, laser-engraved pattern complements the case color.
A final word about the new gold Ripples: in a world where consumers are becoming increasingly eco-conscious, it is admirable that the gold is responsibly sourced and then processed by a company certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). This means it is officially referred to as “ethical gold.” (The RJC is an international, not-for-profit standards and certification organization that accredits companies based on work practices such as respect for human and labor rights, as well as environmental sustainability.)
The Ripples Gold comes with an integrated mocha-colored calf leather strap, embossed with a denim motif—also new to the collection. It is priced at 29,900 CHF.