Speake-Marin – Binary Stars
Two 1in20 Speake-Marin Foundation Pieces on a common journey.
Twin stars, also known as binary stars, are two stars that orbit around a common center of mass. They are gravitationally bound to each other and their mutual gravitational pull keeps them in a stable orbit.
They are thought to form together from the same cloud of gas and dust. Their formation process is like that of single stars, but the initial conditions and dynamics lead to the creation of two stars instead of one.
In 2007, Peter Speake (then Peter Speake-Marin) began development of his 1in20 Foundation Pieces to fund the development of his own movement – the SM2. “The SM2 was designed to be the foundation of a 10-year plan with multiple complications requiring a workhorse calibre.” Peter shared with me recently.
These 20 unique pieces were designed and created specifically to each backer’s desire, and like the stars above, were each unique and special in their own way.
“When I look at these watches, I see the collectors who commissioned them,” Peter recalled “particularly the white gold piece which was the catalyst of the Marin 1. I remember the discussions in the design process and when I gave it to [the client] he looked for an extended time at the watch. I thought there was a problem, instead he looked up and me with a gentle smile (he was indeed a gentle-man) and said how it had been designed with an earlier watch he had when he himself was a young man, a gift from his father. He was happy.”
The Binary Star for the White Gold version was a complimentary Rose Gold version with the same design but different color selections. These two pieces were from members of a collectors’ club in the west of the United States and thus began their journeys.
It would be expected that two rare and unique pieces would diverge over the years but instead, 15 years later I became aware in separate conversations that each was available for purchase from their original owners. I jumped at the opportunity and arranged to buy them both. One was still on the west coast, the other in New York City. Not living in either location, this was not quite the same orbit, but certainly doable.
As fate (or the universe?) would see fit, the west coast owner was to be in New York the same day I was, and the second piece was available for collection there as well.
So, on in mid-October I met one collector for breakfast followed by a quick trip to a local auction house and the “binary stars” of the 1in20 Foundation Pieces continued their journeys together.
These heavenly pieces share a 5-ring dial design with seconds, minutes, and hours marked by lines and quarter hour anchors, red Arabic minute markers, and 4 large Romain numeral hour markers at 3, 6, 9 and 12. The three hands include a spade hour, twisted minute and sweep second hand.
One watch has purple hands on a cream, two-layered enamel dial in a white gold case…
…while the other blued hands with luminous hour and minute on a white two-layered enamel dial and rose gold case.
Both have the German steel SM2 automatic movement with the distinctive automatic winding weight as well as the stoic and bold 40.6mm case synonymous with Peter’s Piccadilly design with structured lugs and the so very pleasant to use expanding onion crown.
The White Gold version enjoys engraving on the back plate…
…while the Rose Gold a nice, brushed finish.
Joining my other 1in20 pieces (a White Gold perpetual, Titanium perpetual, and Kees Engelbarts’ engraved dragon) they now “orbit” together on the auto winder in my office.
The journey to being the current caretaker for so many of the 1in20 was a long time coming. I was offered the opportunity in 2009 to acquire one, but didn’t have the funds at the time. Like others, the financial crisis of 2008 disrupted plans and lead me to sell my entire collection. It was a decade before I returning to collecting in early 2019.
Since, I have come across the three – and now 5 – 1in20 from difference places and at different times. Each time, excited and thrilled to be able to wind the clock back and acquire what I consider a piece of significant horological history.
It goes without saying – if you ever have one to sell, please let me know. I only have 15 more to go!
It’s worth mentioning that Peter is back at the watchmaking game, though I believe he never really left despite being drawn away from his workbench over the years. His new undertakings include assisting in the design of a GPHG nominated Frederick Constant Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture, and his own brand PS Horology with his newest release the Tsuba (see video)
