SPEAKE-MARIN – London Chronograph Special Edition NEW
This spring, Speake-Marin unveils a special edition dedicated to the early years of the British
watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin, “The London Chronograph”. This special edition will only
be available in the Fine Watch Room at Harrods, in London during summer where it will be
officially launched.
The London Chronograph is a tribute for Peter Speake-Marin to his first steps as watchmaker
when he restored antique watches in the Piccadilly arcade in London.
After qualifying as a horologist at London's Hackney College, Peter went to Switzerland to
deepen his knowledge of watch making at the Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and
Education Program (WOSTEP) in Neuchâtel. Following his first three commercial
watchmaking positions which were short lived, due to his hunger to grow as a watchmaker, he
met Georges Somlo in 1990 and stayed in the arcade restoring all manor of early pocket and
wrist watches during 6 years.
The London Chronograph is a special edition in many ways, by its number of pieces being
made, but also by its heart. It is powered by a Valjoux 92 made during the 1950’s and 60's. As
with many mechanical calibres the quartz revolution in the late 60's cut short the life of such
calibres.
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size .... BIG FOTO
The movements used for the London Chronograph were purchased by a collector of vintage
movements and stocked in a safe for many years, waiting to be part of this special edition,
dedicated to the roots of Speake-Marin.
Today these calibres are rare, it was chosen by Peter for this project, because it is the same
type of movement that he restored during his time in London during the 1990’s.
The Valjoux 92 was a popular chronograph movement from the 1950's. Succeeding the
popular Valjoux 23 family (including the Valjoux 72), the Valjoux 92 was similarly sized at
13 ligne (29.5 mm) but used very different technology. It was an oscillating pinion design,
distinct at a glance for having two rather than three chronograph engagement wheels visible at
the back. Although both Valjoux movements are column wheel designs, the Valjoux 92 has
seven pillars versus the nine of all other Valjoux movements. Historical Valjoux chronograph
movement were used by companies ranging from Patek Philippe to Rolex and Tag Heuer,
they were one of the largest and most successful of movement manufacturers.
The London Chronograph is housed in a 42mm titanium case with a three dimensional white
dial. On the dial, the Arabic numbers alternate with Roman numerals to bring a vintage touch,
first seen on the Gothic Velsheda limited edition. The red 12 has classical connotations and
associations with early pocket and wrist watches made in England where on some classical
designs the entire dial numbers were in black with the exception of the 12.
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size .... BIG FOTO
The centre seconds chronograph is married in colour to the 30 minute recorder hand located at
3 o’clock on the dial. The two subsidiary dials for the 30 minute recorder and the seconds dial
are both seen to float on the dial and below them is found the Speake-Marin topping tool logo
wheel fitted to the hour wheel turning with the hour hand.
The Central Speake-Marin signature “Foundation” style hands in heat blued steel bring the
final touch to this very special edition.
Click on the mouse wheel to see the large size .... BIG FOTO
This special edition will only be available in the Fine Watch Room at Harrods, in London
during summer as part as the Made with Love and Precision campaign. Made with Love and
Precision is a celebration of the horological offering which has established Harrods as the
ultimate destination for Fine Watches. Throughout July and August 2016, the luxury
department store will hero twenty three of the world’s most important fine watch houses
through a stunning exhibition of timepieces launching exclusively at Harrods, a dedicated
Brompton Road window takeover and innovative retail theatre. This celebration will continue
throughout the store, where extraordinary craftsmanship will be brought to the fore with
highlights including exciting product exclusives and engaging retail activity.’
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Reference: 11001
MOVEMENT
Valjoux 92, mechanical hand wound movement
INDICATIONS
Central hours and minutes
30 minute counter at 3 o’clock
Constant seconds hand at 9 o'clock
Central chronograph seconds hand ,
FREQUENCY 18000 beats per hour
JEWELLING 17 jewels
POWER RESERVE ~ 40 hours
CASE
Iconic Piccadilly case in titanium with brushed 'DLC' sides.
Front and back sapphire crystal treated with anti-reflective coating
DIAMETER 42 mm
WATER RESISTANCE 3 bar (30 meters)
DIAL
White three dimensional dial
Black minute and second indications
Roman and Arabic numerals
Red “12” Roman numeral
HANDS
Central Speake-Marin signature “Foundation” style hands in heat blued steel
STRAP Black Rubber
BUCKLE Folding buckle in titanium
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Should you need additional information, feel free to contact our Communications
Department by email: veronique@speake-marin.com or by phone at :+41 21 695 26 56.
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