With the Ripples Portobello, Speake Marin unveils a new interpretation of its contemporary icon, inspired by the singular atmosphere of Portobello, one of London’s most captivating and characterful districts.
A Shaniah Asha Gibson’s Choice / @TRP, Cabinet d’écritures et d’influence
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Portobello is more than a place; it is a mood, a rhythm, a distinctly British way of embracing contrast. Along its pastel façades and lively market streets, history, creativity and individuality meet with effortless ease, shaping an atmosphere where refinement feels spontaneous and discovery is part of the experience.
Rendered in a soft lavender hue, the Ripples Portobello captures this free-spirited elegance with subtle audacity. Its singular lines and contemporary silhouette echo the creative energy of the neighbourhood, giving rise to a timepiece that is refined, unconventional and unmistakably Speake Marin.
The case: contemporary design enhanced by light
The case of the “Ripples Portobello” with its complex design, called “La City”, conceived by Stéphane Lacroix, comprises 40 components and represents an ideal synthesis between the circle and the square. Made from stainless steel with an impeccable polished-satin finish, it reveals harmonious proportions. It measures 40.3 mm in diameter and is only 9.20 mm thick, thanks to the integrated micro-rotor that drives the in-house calibre. It is water-resistant to 5 atmospheres and has a protected screw-down crown. To preserve dial’s integrity, the square polished/satin-finished bezel frames an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, which is also mounted on the screwed case back. The Ripples Portobello is secured to the wrist with a lavender leather strap, detailed further below, fastened by a stainless-steel folding buckle for superior comfort and a refined look.
A lavender dial landscape
For this new creation, the Maison introduces an exclusive lavender hue, achieved through a complex dial-making process. Crafted from a brass plate prepared to enhance the play of light, the dial is engraved with the collection’s signature Ripples motif, a horizontally satin-finished wave pattern that creates a refined interplay of light and shadow, adding depth and enhancing legibility.
A translucent tinted lacquer is then delicately applied over a silver-toned base, allowing the colour to shift in intensity with the light – soft and luminous at times, deeper and more pronounced at others – for a refined, distinctly contemporary character.
The engraved wave motif creates a refined interplay of light and shadow, bringing depth to the dial while enhancing legibility. It gives the Ripples Portobello its distinctive presence within the collection.
Positioned at 1:30, the signature small seconds counter adds balance and character to the composition. Its radiant sunray finish, framed by a rhodium-plated diamond-cut ring, introduces a subtle contrast and reinforces the dial’s architectural depth.
Faceted rhodium-plated indices punctuate the display with precision, their polished surfaces catching the light with elegance. The opaline cartouche bearing the “Speake Marin Genève” signature and the outer minute track, both delicately tinted in matching lavender tones, complete the dial with harmony and coherence. More than a display of time, the Ripples Portobello dial is an expression of subtle sophistication – where craftsmanship and colour meet in a singular vision of contemporary haute horlogerie.
A manufacture calibre at the heart of the Ripples Portobello
The Ripples Portobello is driven by the automatic calibre SMA03-T, conceived, developed and assembled in-house by Le Cercle des Horlogers in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Combining refined engineering with quiet sophistication, this manufacture movement reflects Speake Marin’s pursuit of mechanical excellence.
Operating at 4 Hz, or 28.800 vibrations per hour, the calibre ensures precision, reliability and a power reserve of approximately 52 hours. Its construction has been carefully developed to preserve the elegant proportions and wearing comfort that define the Ripples collection.
The integrated tungsten micro-rotor is one of the movement’s signature features. It enables automatic winding while maintaining a slender profile, and is finished with an exclusive laser-engraved motif, revealing Speake Marin’s attention to both performance and detail.
Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, the SMA03-T reveals a balanced architecture, finely decorated bridges and a subtle interplay of finishes. Technical mastery and aesthetic purity come together in a movement designed to be admired as much as it is relied upon.
With the calibre SMA03-T, Speake Marin expresses its vision of innovation: precise, refined and beautifully understated.
Designed for comfort, styled in lavender
The Ripples Portobello is presented on a lavender leather strap, specially chosen to echo the soft, distinctive hue of the dial. Embossed with a denim motif, it brings a contemporary texture to the watch while reinforcing its relaxed yet refined character.
Tone-on-tone stitching preserves the harmony of the design, creating a seamless continuation between dial, case and strap. Fastened with a stainless-steel folding buckle, it ensures both comfort and security on the wrist, completing the Ripples Portobello with a subtle touch of modern elegance.
A work of art for discerning collectors
With the Ripples Portobello, Speake Marin once again confirms its excellence in creating proprietary movements, meticulous finishes, and a distinctive, consistent aesthetic language. Every detail is designed to delight the most discerning collectors, who are looking for a timepiece that not only measures time, but also expresses a vision and becomes a true lifelong companion.
This is a work of art that captures the eccentric, eclectic spirit of Portobello Road — where heritage craftsmanship and an unmistakably playful character meet in perfect balance.
The Ripples Portobello will be available at authorized retailers worldwide as of 8 July 2026 , at the suggested retail price of CHF 22.900 – excluding taxes.
