Speake-Marin Spirit Blue Seafire
The Speake-Marin Spirit Blue Seafire is a highly attractive chronograph, pairing a plethora of eye-catching details with a titanium case. This timepiece is limited to only 28 examples and proffers a high degree of exclusivity at a comparatively accessible price.
This detailed review of the Speake-Marin Spirit Blue Seafire includes live images, specification details and pricing.
Eighteen years ago, I knelt on the nursery floor and stared through the bars of the cot. There, lying on his side, was my baby boy, clad in a babygrow with his duckling-soft hair stood to attention. His face was pure, free of blemishes, imbued with an innocence only ever found with a newborn child. Most pertinently two abyss-like blue eyes looked at me seemingly arranged on a north-south axis. It was those two eyes which cemented our love and despite there being occasions when I have been enraged by my child’s behaviour, I have forgiven virtually everything because of the love established in that nursery 18 years ago.
Looking at the dial of the Speake-Marin Spirit Blue Seafire I can see those two blue eyes and a complexion so pure. I am, once again, captivated with a few well chosen colours and the handsome proportions set out in front of me. This timepiece is another beautiful boy.
The dial
Two ‘Foundation’ style hour and minute hands arrest attention with their curvaceous forms. The hour hand sports a heart-shaped tip. A metaphor for my paternal love? Quite possibly. The hands are lined with white luminescent fill, upholding the pure, chaste appearance of the dialscape.
Each hour marker is signified with a bold, black circlet, save for 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. At 3 and 9 o’clock those hearts appear once more, this time evincing love in a stealthy black tone. There are no hour markers at 6 and 12 o’clock. Indeed, deference to the two large, blue chronograph registers is given.
The upper subdial is a 30-minute chronograph register, pairing Arabic numerals with a cheery red hand. Adjacent 6 o’clock, a 12-hour chronograph register resides, again featuring a bright red hand but, in this instance, combining it with Roman numerals. This idiosyncratic mix of styles augments the smile factor which accompanies this watch.
Peter Speake-Marin never lets us forget he is a watchmaker by trade, using a topping tool as inspiration for his small seconds disc.
The date aperture is sunken and presented within a crater like area of the dial, brilliantly playing with the three dimensionality of the dial structure.
Encircling the dial is a chapter ring which collaborates with both the minute hand and the red-tipped central chronograph seconds hand to effortlessly communicate with the wearer.
This dial is not only beautiful, but is also an exemplar of practicality with its ease of readability.
The case
Speake-Marin once worked close to London’s legendary Piccadilly and I am left wondering if this is the rationale for the ‘Piccadilly’ nomen which accompanies his case design. However, one thing is certain, this case is gorgeous.
Each facet of the case, save for the case back, is highly polished and gleams with unbridled optimism.
Measuring 42mm in diameter, the neutral proportions of the titanium case make it an ideal size for a large cross-section of society. The pushpieces are capstan-like in shape, while the crown has a prominent knurled tapered form.
The lug design is elaborate and may not be to everyone’s taste but I adore the non-conformist nature they confer.
The case back is satin-finished and engraved with the motto ‘Fight, Love and Preserve’. Is Speake-Marin providing suitable advice for a parent?
The movement
There is part of me which mourns the absence of an exhibition case back, however, there is a good reason for this omission. The watch is equipped with the horological stalwart, the Valjoux 7750. This chronograph movement has never been the prettiest movement to look at, however, its reliability and robustness are beyond question.
It may have been desirable for Speake-Marin to equip the Blue Seafire with a more upscale chronograph, perhaps turning to Vaucher who he already buys non-chronograph movements from. However, this would have significantly increased cost and possibly denied legions of watch lovers the opportunity to purchase one of the most handsome chronograph timepieces available.
Ultimately, the solid case back and the decision to use the Valjoux 7750 makes a lot of sense and vindicates Speake-Marin’s thinking.
Closing remarks
The Speake-Marin Spirit Blue Seafire is mightily handsome. The pairing of the blue subdials, arranged on a north-south axis, with a virtuous pure white dial, is a stroke of genius. Moreover, the blue rubber strap supplied with my press loan reinforced the sense of cohesion.
There is a danger that when making a watch as stylish as this, the practicality of the design can be compromised. However, this is not the case with the Spirit Blue Seafire which is an exemplar of lucidity with each indication simple to read.
This is a highly affordable wristwatch, costing CHF 9,180, yet it features a sumptuous, highly polished titanium case. To find a case of such quality on a timepiece presented at this comparatively modest price is highly unusual and helps differentiate this timepiece as noteworthy.
Indeed, ‘noteworthy’ is a term which readily comes to mind when describing a timepiece with such an array of impressive talents. However, do not misconstrue this is not a father looking at a timepiece with rose-tinted spectacles. No, one glance at this mightily handsome watch reaffirms my belief that the Speake-Marin Spirit Blue Seafire is a beautiful boy.
Technical Specification
- Model: Speake-Marin Spirit Blue Seafire
- Reference: 20003-56
- Case: Titanium; diameter 42 mm;water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres); sapphire crystal to front and solid caseback
- Functions: Hours; minutes; date; small seconds; chronograph
- Movement: Calibre Valjoux 7750, self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), 25 jewels; power reserve 48 hours.
- Strap: Blue rubber strap presented on a titanium pin buckle.
- Price: CHF 9,180 excluding taxes (RRP as at 3.1.2017)
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