Mario Canonizado 
One of the most underrated modern sports watches just got a golden upgrade! For Watches And Wonders 2025, Speake-Marin has just revealed a new version of their coveted Ripples collection.
There comes a point in the watch game where things start to feel a little bland. You’ve explored countless options, researched more brands than you can remember, and — presumably— bought more watches than you’d like to admit. It starts to feel like the mountain has been climbed, and that nothing in the industry can truly surprise you anymore. This feeling is especially common for those deep into the integrated bracelet sports watch subgenre. The style has become so overinflated over the years that it’s gone from iconic to eye-roll-inducing with every new release.
Fortunately, though, the watch world always finds a way to surprise you. There’s always something new to learn, always a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Speake-Marin — a British-blooded, Swiss-based independent watchmaker—is one of those quietly brilliant brands sitting just over the horizon, ready to reignite your curiosity.
Founded in 2002 by the eponymous Peter Speake-Marin, the brand has spent its relatively young life crafting belle horlogerie— beautiful timepieces that blend creative flair with technical mastery. By reimagining classic watch styles through a contemporary lens, Speake-Marin quickly carved out a niche in the modern watch world.
Although Peter himself is no longer involved—he’s since moved on to pursue his own independent venture under the PS Horology banner — his spirit and design language still echo through the brand. Today, Speake-Marin is led by Christelle Rosnoblet, one of the only independent female leaders in the watch industry, who continues to push the brand forward while preserving its uniquely artistic DNA.
Related Reading: Speake Marin Introduces All New Ripples Skeleton (Live Pics)
One of the most iconic creations from Speake-Marin since Peter’s departure in 2017 is the Ripples collection. This line has injected much-needed vitality into a saturated segment of horology. Positioned as an abstract take on the integrated sports watch, the Ripples stands out for its sporty-chic spirit, bold case shape, intricate dial finishing, and exceptional mechanical innovation. In fact, it’s impressed us enough that we’ve gone hands-on with the collection multiple times (as seen in the links above).
Initially offered in stainless steel, the collection gradually expanded with new references. Now, for Watches and Wonders 2025, Speake-Marin has taken the next bold step. Their latest release in the Ripples line marks a refined evolution — one that thrusts the brand into the limelight of the world’s biggest horological stage.
Standing at a 40.3mm case diameter, with a 48mm lug-to-lug length and a slim 9.2mm thickness, the Speake-Marin Ripples Gold shares the same refined dimensions as its steel predecessors. On paper, these numbers might not sound like headline material. But one glance at the Ripples collection is enough to prove this isn’t just any ordinary watch.
Rather than following the familiar blueprint of integrated bracelet sports watches, the Speake-Marin team has crafted something uniquely their own: the La City case. Translating to “The City,” this original case design blends squared and rounded elements—a subtle nod to the genre’s pioneers, while still maintaining a bold identity all its own. To complement the case, the Ripples Gold is paired with a richly textured mocha leather strap. Not only does it offer a more comfortable wearing experience, but it also enhances the watch’s refined presence without compromising its visual impact.
For this rendition of the Ripples, the case has been crafted from 18k ethical rose gold. Much like other sustainability-driven maisons such as Chopard, Speake-Marin champions a responsible supply chain — ensuring that their gold is ethically sourced, smelted, and delivered with transparency and care. This commitment to sustainability does nothing to compromise the quality of the material. The rose gold used here retains all of its luxurious warmth, weight, and brilliance. Instead, it serves as a testament to the brand’s modern mindset — proving that Speake-Marin isn’t just contemporary in age, but also progressive in its values and vision for the future of watchmaking.
Getting up close to the watch, you’ll notice that the dial is unlike anything you’ve likely seen before. Defined by the signature horizontal ripples — after which the collection is named — this latest release from Speake-Marin delivers a surprisingly unconventional layout. There’s no date window or flashy complication vying for attention. Instead, your eye is drawn to the small seconds subdial, uniquely positioned at 1:30. It’s an unusual choice; most brands tend to place the subdial at three, six, or nine o’clock. But this offbeat displacement acts like an open invitation, encouraging the wearer to engage more deeply with the design.
Surrounding the dial’s centre, flat rose gold indexes lean in with deliberate presence, creating depth and balance. A slim golden minute track runs along the outer edge, punctuated by black printed dots, while heart-shaped hands complete the composition — a design feature that is as delicate as it is romantic.
Finally, turning the watch around reveals exactly why the Speake-Marin Ripples is held in such high regard among premium sports watches. Inside, you’ll find the SMA03-T movement — an automatic calibre that beats at a high-end frequency of 4Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and delivers a respectable 52-hour power reserve.
But this isn’t just any automatic movement. It’s a micro-rotor automatic, a rare and sophisticated mechanism in modern watchmaking. While it still functions like a standard automatic watch, the hand-engraved micro-rotor allows for a clearer, more unobstructed view of the movement itself. This gives Speake-Marin the opportunity to fully showcase both its technical expertise and artistic craftsmanship in one seamless display.
For the eagle-eyed enthusiast, there’s even more to admire. The SMA03-T is based on the CH200.CHSA calibre, developed by Le Cercle des Horlogers — a respected movement maker in Val-de-Ruz. This same specialist also supplies this movement to the luxury heavyweight Louis Vuitton for their revised Tambour line, putting Speake-Marin in elite horological company.
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My Thoughts
As I said with the Chopard Alpine Eagle release earlier this week, it’s tough to break into the integrated bracelet sports watch space. It’s even harder to stand out in a market where almost nothing surprises you anymore. At this point, it’s like trying to make the very best caviar. (Sorry — not sorry — to anyone who insists there are subtle flavour notes in caviar… it all tastes the same to me.)
Still, it’s important to approach new releases with an open mind — and thankfully, it seems that Speake-Marin does the exact same with their approach to watchmaking. Through the Ripples collection, and by extension this new Ripples Gold model, the brand has managed to break through the mould of an already over-saturated category.
By crafting a strong identity rooted in bold design and backed by deep horological expertise, Speake-Marin has delivered something that feels fresh yet refined. The Ripples Gold isn’t just another variation — it’s a breath of fresh air in a style that’s often stuck in repetition. More than that, it sends a clear message: the integrated bracelet sports watch subgenre still has room to evolve. For brands entrenched in this category, the Ripples Gold may just be the smoke signal they need to head back to the drawing board.
References: 161954-5001
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 40.3mm case diameter x 48mm endlink-to-endlink length x 9.2mm thickness
- Case Material: 18k ethical rose gold
- Dial: Rhodium-plated brass, golden-brown dial with Ripples finishing
- Movement: Automatic Cal. SMA03-T with micro-rotor & small seconds complication
- Power Reserve: 52h
- Water Resistance: 50m (5bar)
- Strap: Gray-brown leather strap with rose gold/titanium folding buckle
