SPEAKE MARIN EXPANDS THE RIPPLES COLLECTION WITH THE NEW RIPPLES PORTOBELLO
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.
THE INSPIRATION: THE RIPPLES PORTOBELLO
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.
