ReviewA Close Study Of The Speake-Marin One & Two Academic Watches

Offering an excellent range of elegant timepieces combined with true British originality, Speake-Marin have created a name for themselves within a short period of time. With the introduction of the One & Two collection, the brand stays true to its roots, despite fears of the Speake-Marin name losing its essence when Peter Speake-Marin left the company in 2017. Since its inception, the essence of Speake-Marin has been classic, balanced and elegant Swiss timepieces combined with British flair and modern aesthetics. The One & Two Academic collection brings us a variety of timepieces following the same theme and characteristics of elegance, depth and balance. Adding more value to each timepiece is its limited availability as the company produce limited watches annually.

One…Two…Here We Go…

Launched in 2018, the now popular Speake-Marin One & Two collection is home to a variety of timepieces, which have evolved over time. The extensive collection features classic timepieces housing incredibly designed open-worked models, such as the Openworked Dual Time and the now popular Academic series. 

Following the success of the One & Two Openworked models, where the new Piccadilly case and Speake-Marin SMA01 movement were introduced, the new generation of the One & Two collection called the Academic series comes with a closed dial with overlapping layers and the innovative SMA03 movement within. The SMA movement works in perfect accordance with the brand’s decision to develop and assemble movements internally within their workshop in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

The newly released One & Two Academic series comes with a closed dial with overlapping layers and the innovative SMA03 movement within

Quintessentially Speake-Marin, the One & Two Academic series features a diverse range of timepieces with commendable updates and modern aesthetics, while staying true to the brand’s roots. This includes creating depth with dials made up of overlapping layers, which create structural depth. Others are the signature tubular Piccadilly case in different sizes and materials, the immediately recognisable ‘spade-and-whip’ hands, and finally modern high horology working within.

Drawing inspiration from architecture and design, the Academic series within the One & Two collection houses a three-dimensional dial which focuses on the complication of the watch while allowing wearers to discover many key elements of the dial throughout the day, with shifts in light and shadows. 

Signature features like the tubular Piccadilly case in different sizes and materials and the immediately recognisable ‘spade-and-whip’ hands are featured in the watch

A Distinct And Distinguished One & Two—The Academic

The Academic series from Speake-Marin is a fantastic example of the brand’s watchmaking know-how. Each timepiece within the series is powered by the SMA03 movement which features an integrated micro-rotor, small wheels, rubies, sunburst finishes and decorations. The calibre allows for a standard power reserve of 52 hours and the distinctiveness of the small seconds at the 1:30 position. 

Each timepiece within the series is powered by the SMA03 movement which features an integrated micro-rotor, small wheels, rubies, sunburst finishes and decorations

₹12,90,000

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This movement made up of 147 components from Speake-Marin is a fantastic example of the brand’s watchmaking know-how

₹12,90,000

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The calibre allows for a standard power reserve of 52 hours beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28'800 A/h)

₹12,90,000

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The SMA03 movement has the distinctiveness of the small seconds at the 1:30 position

₹12,30,000

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Fashioned out of lightweight titanium, the One & Two Academic series comes in two sizes—38 or 42mm—both incredibly versatile. The tastefully redesigned Piccadilly case is equipped with an ergonomic design and screwed lugs for better fit and ease of wear. The large fluted crown sitting on the side provides easy operation. 

Adding more value to the balanced aesthetic of the watch is the simple and elegant three-dimensional dial featuring multi-layer design that creates a sense of depth.  The raised outer half is home to engraved Roman numerals, which work perfectly against the polished centre. The small seconds at 1:30 gives the rather simple and elegant dial a welcome twist. The signature rhodium-plated ‘space and whip’ hands adds the final touch of elegance to an almost flawless design. The dial comes in different colours such as silvery white, metallic blue or slate grey. 

Speake-Marin Academic Shop The Collection

One & Two Academic Goes White and Black Tie For 2023

Following from the success of the Academic series, Speake-Marin further expanded the collection this year with the launch of two new editions at Watches and Wonders, Geneva—the Academic Black Tie and the Academic White. According to the brand, the two new timepieces are on a mission to explore the questions of balance and harmony. As the brand statement puts it: ‘Whether physically or philosophically, these opposing forces complement each other to create a whole, in a universe that comprises lightness and purity but also robustness and darkness’.

The Academic White edition represents strength, clarity and warmth. It is represented in the watch via the one-level white dial illuminated with shiny white lacquer and sharp Roman numeral hour markers at 12, three, six and nine o’clock. Similar to the Academic White, the Academic Black Tie version represents elegance in the chicest form. It features a one-level black dial dressed with the richest and deepest polished black lacquer topped with applied Roman numerals filled with black matt Super-LumiNova. Both watches come equipped with the signature automatic movement calibre SMA03.

According to the brand, the two new timepieces are on a mission to explore the questions of balance and harmony