JamesList Exclusive: Haute horlogerie done right – an interview with Peter Speake-Marin.
James is always working hard to bring you the latest and greatest scoops. More often than not, that means that the focus tend to be on the infamous brands of luxury that we’ve all come to respect and recognize. This time, however, James thought that he’d shift gears for a bit by concentrating on a player in the field that refuses to go corporate, instead wishing to stay true to the very essence of haute horlogerie – not only overseeing production but opting to personally create jaw-dropping complications and timepieces from scratch.
Mr. Speake-Marin, who runs the eponymous operation with his wife Daniela, was kind enough to find time in his busy schedule (currently occupied with a world tour which can be followed on the Speake-Marin Facebook page) for a quick chat with James.
James: What sets you apart as a watchmaker, vision-wise?
Peter: I have seen through restoration and nearly 25 years of experience how a vast diversity of watch houses have made their watches. From this experience I re-invent watchmaking my way having learnt from my professional life and a long history of watch making. The result is a brand with a strong DNA which is a reflection of who I am and is a live today and growing apposed to being a re-invention of what once existed.
James: What’s it like being a relatively small-scale operation? Haute horlogerie is a big sea for a small fish to swim around in.
Peter: The only way I view a long term success being an independent is by making watches which are higher quality than those large companies that surround me, this in turn creates challenges since my level of quality is higher than that which is commonly accepted by others inturn I ask more of many suppliers than they are accustomed to. This is respected but is a battle.
It’s certainly true that Speake-Marin is fighting their way through the watch world with great chutzpah. Proud of their business independence, Peter and Daniela have famously refused to partner with big time investors with mass production in mind. In a 2004 interview, Peter was quoted as saying that “We want to grow slowly in a well managed manner, we will probably never make thousands of watches but this isn’t an issue for us”. It seems that the decision has paid off. Speake-Marin is constantly gathering new fans and causing an interest whever they go.
James: Describe the wearer of a Speake-Marin timepiece. What type of people are your clients?
Peter: Watch lovers, lovers of mechanical and aesthetical beauty, mainly men but women too. To some of my clients my watch will be one amongst many famous brands amongst their collection, to some it is the only watch they own and this is an equal honour. They tend to be people who are well educated in horology and are looking for that which is different from the mass market product.
James: Reports surfacing with the news of the luxury watch industry taking a hit must be worrying, what does the future for Speake-Marin look like?
Peter: Not really, mass production has for a long time force fed retailers and distributors, this period is making people think more about what they are spending their money on. What else is available for the price range and this is where the independent gets discovered, people are becoming more astute, they are informing themselves of what else is on the market and for the independents this is a good thing.
Rogues like Peter just might be what the luxury market needs, someone that defies convention, surpasses expectations and goes their own way. The native Brit conducts both his business and craft with his feet firmly placed on the ground, something you sadly see much too seldom. James is always impressed when someone has such a sensibility and reverence to the ideals and principles that lay the foundation of his or her business.
Thank you to Peter and Daniela for the realization of the interview. Read more about Speake-Marin on their website and be sure to follow them on Facebook.
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