Speake-Marin Spirit Automatic Watch Discussions | Drop

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Speake-Marin Spirit Automatic Watch

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Chimcu

Mar 9, 2018

hmmm interested ... how are these watches ? Anyone own one ?

Mar 9, 2018

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Virgule

343

Mar 9, 2018

ChimcuUnknown brand for me. After a bit of research I see they are a relatively new Swiss brand that seem to have some savoir-faire seeing they dabble in some intricate complications with a small but growing range of in-house complications. I am not sure about the asking price for something more standard like the Spirit, especially the chronograph version being a Valjoux 7750. I also haven't seen this brand on the grey market so not sure how well it retains its price and the overall demand for such pieces. Service charges are also an unknown.

Mar 9, 2018

unregistereduser

Mar 9, 2018

VirguleSorry but Peter Speake-Marin is very well known in watch circles, including the fabulous Maîtres du Temps Chapter One where he collaborated with Christophe Claret. He left the brand late last year to do his own thing, but definitely left his mark in independent watchmaking. The only concern here is that these don't come with papers and hence proper warranty.

Mar 9, 2018

hyperchord24

Mar 9, 2018

unregistereduserDude, "well-known in watch circles" is a euphemism for unknown brand. Sorry

Mar 9, 2018

Nextgengentry

Mar 9, 2018

VirguleKnown or unknown is relative. Many times the best brands of some "hobbies" are the ones only people cultivated in the matter knows. Peter Speake Marin is a guy with huge expertise from major brands who established himself. Look at the prices on chrono24. The work is on the finishing, detailing and execution of the whole watch, but the affordability of servicing the Valijoux 7750. The time only movement probably is an ETA with some improvement.

Mar 9, 2018

GalaxyGuy

Mar 10, 2018

hyperchord24"Well-known in watch circles" is a euphemism for extremely high quality at a bargain price. Enjoy your Rollie!

Mar 10, 2018

TimeZero

Mar 10, 2018

hyperchord24You know nothing Jon Snow

Mar 10, 2018

TimeZero

Mar 10, 2018

NextgengentryThe time-only (which is actually not a time-only movement; it's also got big-date and power reserve complications) is not an ETA movement; it's based on a Vaucher. Certainly no pedestrian caliber resides inside this watch.
https://monochrome-watches.com/vaucher-manufacture-fleurier-look-behind-scenes-watch-industry/

Mar 10, 2018

Nextgengentry

Mar 10, 2018

TimeZeroThanks for the info, I always welcome new knowledge. Depends on how pedestrian we consider a valijoux too. But both are great mvmnt in my opinion (great in a functional way of course).

Mar 10, 2018

TimeZero

Mar 10, 2018

NextgengentryVery fair comment; by pedestrian, I meant common and ordinary as opposed to low-quality. In particular, the ETA 2824 comes to mind. It is (or was before ETA changed its distribution policies) the backbone of virtually all entry-level "swiss-made" watch brands, from the microbrands on up. It's a real workhorse, very reliable and easy-to work on. But you've got to admit - it's ubiquitous and, especially in its base form, not particularly attractive to look at. :-)

Mar 10, 2018

guisess93

143

Mar 11, 2018

TimeZeroAre you certain the caliber is from Vaucher? I'm about to jump into this drop, but I want to know whether the certificate of origin from SM is included

Mar 11, 2018

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TimeZero

Mar 11, 2018

guisess93I’ve not dissected the watch and have not spoken with PSM representatives regarding the caliber‘s origins, but I have consulted with one of the most well-informed people in haute-horology who gave me the information. He also happens to have a personal relationship with PSM, so I trust his information is accurate.
I can’t address the question of whether there’s a C of O with this drop, though my hunch is yes, since the watch will be shipped from the manufacturer. That’s pure speculation, however.
For those interested, the Spirit MK II has a modified Technotime movement, with a 5-day power reserve. In 2012, CronotempVs, a collector’s club based in Spain, had PSM create a limited edition of the MK II with a date window, vintage lume, and a see-through caseback. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 serialized and numbered pieces were made, I believe. Here’s a video of that piece.

Mar 11, 2018

hyperchord24

Mar 12, 2018

GalaxyGuyThat's not what "euphemism" means. You're just trying too hard to be clever. A simple "I disagree with you" would've sufficed.

Mar 12, 2018

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GalaxyGuy

Mar 12, 2018

hyperchord24OK sure, perhaps I should not have phrased it as such. My intent was not to insult but rather to point out the fact that this is a high quality watch and your dismissal of it is, in my opinion, an indication that you may have succumbed to the hype machine that is Swiss watchmaking. That said, the suggestion PSM is an unknown brand is, in my opinion, unfounded. It is a new brand, to be sure and it certainly is not as well known as the likes of Rolex or Omega, but really how could it be? I'm speculating here, but I would guess Rolex spends more on advertising each year than the entire net worth of the PSM brand. Does that mean they produce a superior product? You can certainly judge that yourself by spending your hard earned dollars wherever you like. As for me, I prefer to spend my money on watches from smaller, independent brands who have worked hard to establish their credentials, like Habring2 or PSM. In this case in particular I think it is a no-brainer, as the watch is being sold at a fraction of it's current street value, so recouping your investment should not be a problem, should you choose to go that route. I am quite certain I will keep mine for a long while, though.

Mar 12, 2018

hyperchord24

Mar 12, 2018

GalaxyGuyI mean, this is watches so it's all about feeling and opinion. But spending more than 1500 on anything other than a well-established brand scares me only due to resale value. It's easier to sell a Rolex than it would be for this brand. Everyone's looking for a Sub. Not everyone's looking for this brand. Even if this watch fetches a steady price on the used market, I don't want to be sitting on an unpopular watch. I've done that before.

Mar 12, 2018

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