Speake-Marin's new "Ripples Skeleton" has a case named "La City". With a new exterior and a new movement, it evolves into an outstanding luxury sports watch.
The latest addition to the Ripples line. Designer Stephane Lacroix-Gachet says he aimed to "retain the Ripples case's fusion of circle and square, while creating a unique model." The movement and exterior are both newly designed. Automatic (Cal. SMA07). 27 jewels. 36,000 vph. Power reserve of approximately 52 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 40.3mm, thickness 6.3mm). Water resistant to 5 bar. Price: 5,969,700 yen (tax included).
Interview and text by Chieko Tsuruoka (Chronos-Japan)
Edited by Yuto Hosoda (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2024 issue of Kronos Japan]
A thin model specially tailored for skeleton use
Speake-Marin's "Ripples," with its thin exterior and combination of satin and polished finishes, has the so-called luxury sports watch style. Now, with a 30% thinner case and a more skeletonized design, the "Ripples Skeleton" has been released. This model fits more comfortably on the wrist and allows you to enjoy the movement made by Le Cercle des Horlogers even more, further emphasizing the originality of the Ripples' case, named "La City" (urban).
When I picked up this watch, its excellent craftsmanship made me want to own it. The complex design of "La City" has been realized in a thin case, and the bracelet is also thin and flexible, which shows the cost and effort that went into its construction. It is precisely because of this kind of effort that a luxury watch is produced. Another attraction is that a special movement with a redesigned gear train was produced specifically for this skeletonized watch.
Speake-Marin not only achieved this cost-intensive style with this new model, but also upgraded its specifications over the previous model. There are three major changes that can be considered upgrades. First, the case material has been changed from the previous 316L steel to the more aesthetically pleasing 904L steel. Second, the buckle now features a fine-tuning mechanism that can be adjusted up to 4mm. Furthermore, the watch is equipped with a newly developed movement that is just 3.25mm thick and has been hollowed out to match the design of the "La City." This movement features a high-beat design with a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour, achieving an accuracy of ±5 seconds per day. Mechanical movements with such a high beat rate and a thickness in the 3mm range are rare. The power reserve remains the same as before, at approximately 52 hours. Water resistance is maintained to 5 bar.
This watch would not have been possible without the efforts of Le Cercle des Horlogers, the company that developed this thin, high-performance, yet beautiful movement. This movement manufacturer also collaborates with Louis Vuitton. Speake-Marin has been an investor since 2015 and has been working with the company to develop the movement.
And the presence of the designer who brought out the essence of "La City," or "The City" in English, which took the already extraordinary Ripples to even greater heights, is also essential. At Geneva Watch Days 2024, where this model was announced, I had the opportunity to speak with Stéphane Lacroix-Gachet, who designed all the previous Ripples models, including this one.
"I drew 100 sketches before completing the design of the Ripples Skeleton. Creating a skeleton meant that I had to look at both the dial and the case back, which was a very difficult job. The presence of the bridges was also a challenge. Bridges have a technical role (of fixing the movement parts). I challenged myself to create a contemporary, unique design that would not undermine that role. I am proud of the design of this model that was completed as a result."
Ripples Skeleton gives off a simple, urban impression, but in reality it is a luxury sports car that has been meticulously crafted with outstanding know-how.
