FeatureHouse Of The Dragon: Presenting Speake-Marin And Their Dragon Timepieces
Over the years, Swiss brand with British roots Speake-Marin have created many a timepiece inspired by dragons, some limited editions, others bespoke pieces crafted on order
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Founded in 2002, young, independent watchmaking brand Speake-Marin have already made a name for themselves as creators of ‘belle horlogerie’ (or beautiful watches). Perhaps because of this independence, the brand have created a number of bespoke timepieces inspired by the mythical dragon. Like the Kennin-ji Temple Masters Project unique piece, showcased at Baselworld in 2015. Then there is the Speake-Marin Dragon, a limited edition of 18 pieces each for three dial options in red, grey or gold, with a dragon crafted from 5N rose gold taking centrestage on the watch, with the distinctive topping tool in constant rotation at 1.30. With the number of timepieces that have been inspired by dragons, Speake-Marin is one watch away from becoming the authority on the mythical creature.
Zen Inspiration From A Buddhist Temple
The Kennin-ji Temple Masters Project timepiece features twin dragons inspired by artwork from the ceiling of what is perhaps the oldest Zen Buddhist Temple in the world. The 42mm Kennin-ji Temple Masters Project timepiece features a dial engraved with two dragons that flow out of the dial and onto the rounded bezel and white gold case profile. The SM02 calibre that powers the watch is just as beautifully sculpted as the case and dial, and offers a 71 hour power reserve. Thermally blued timekeeping hands ensure legibility, despite the dragon-chase activity on the watch. Showcased as Baselworld 2015, the watch was created as a unique piece by engraver Kees Engelbarts, commissioned by a collector. Engelbarts has been part of other Speake-Marin dragon watches, including the Immortality Dragon, a bespoke timepiece created in 2011.
Born In The Year Of The Dragon
A good example of how the brand accommodate customisation is the Speake-Marin Born Watch Dragon, a 42mm timepiece crafted in rose gold. This unique timepiece was created to commemorate a collector’s Chinese zodiac, the year of the dragon. The caseback is decorated with diamonds in a formation that indicates the position of the stars in the owner’s place and time of birth. Also on the caseback are the owner’s name, date and place of birth. On the 18-karat gold dial is an engraving of the dragon, with blued ‘spade and whip’ hands easing time-telling on the watch.
A year prior to the Born Watch, at Baselworld in 2013, Speake-Marin showcased a unique watch featuring a golden dragon set against a green jade dial. The green of the dial perfectly offset the gilded detailing on the dragon.
Speake-Marin Dragon Limited Edition
Another older dragon-watch reference is the brand’s Captive in Time timepiece. A 38mm rose gold case features a silver dragon engraving that takes over the dial with its sinuous form. There have been other Speake-Marin dragon dials, each depiction distinct in terms of colour, shape and material. The one constant through them all is the dragon’s expression.
After creating these unique pieces for collectors, in 2018 the brand revived the creature once again for their Art Series Dragon timepieces. A 42mm Piccadily case in titanium frames the three-dimensional dragon that occupies three-fourths of the dial lacquered in grey, golden or red. This dragon looks as if it were about to grab at Speake-Marin’s rotating topping tool between one and two o’clock. The SMA03 calibre powers the movement, and the watches are mounted on black alligator leather straps.
There will be more dragons, we hope, because the brand really does them justice. Do these distinct timepieces inspired by the dragon make Speake-Marin the ‘mother of dragons’? You decide…
