18K Gold Speake Marin Velsheda Replica Watch For Sale

A solo performance

Angus Davies falls for the lone voice of the Speake-Marin Velsheda replica watch for sale, imparting the hours and minutes with a single hand.However, I am increasingly falling for the charms of timepieces which communicate the hours and minutes with one sole hand. Similar to a soloist whose lone voice bestows purity, there is something alluring about receiving one concise message which expresses all.

The Speake-Marin Velsheda was named after a British ‘J-Class’ yacht built in the 1930s and was the brainchild of independent watchmaker, Peter Speake-Marin. It is the inventiveness of independent brands such as Speake-Marin which continues to excite me. I suspect that many superb ideas conceived within the corridors of larger brands remain stillborn, cruelly culled by focus group feedback.

Virtually all watches I appraise in my working life are equipped with separate hour and minute hands. Some are exquisitely beautiful and their appearance readily elicits much praise. Conversely, some watches fail to inspire me and I struggle to utter the briefest of comments.

The dial

The Velsheda looks very different from other watches, its elongated blued steel hand virtually spans the width of the dial. The tip of the hand is diamond-like in form, pointing to the chapter ring with laser-like precision, whilst the other end of the hand has a T-shaped profile.

Speake-Marin replica watch has a fondness for topping tools and took inspiration from the watchmaker’s apparatus for the design of the logo which graces his timepieces. Positioned on the hub of the central hand, one topping tool logo rotates 360° every 12 hours. Above is a superimposed second topping tool logo, displaying small seconds and rotating 360° every minute.

Roman numerals denote the hours with 5-minute graduations presented in between, neatly shown on a black chapter ring. A white lacquered dial delivers a crisp, pure canvas. Near the fulcrum of the dial, the surface sits lower, heightening visual interest.

The small seconds display lacks the readability of a conventional seconds display. However, this does not seem important as the resultant patterns formed by one logo moving at a different tempo to the logo beneath delivers a beguiling, almost hypnotic spectacle, providing a plethora of patterns, which further distinguish the Velsheda as special.

The case

The 42mm 5N red gold case is similar in style to those found on other Speake-Marin timepieces. The English watchmaker describes this as his Piccadilly case and has stated that its design was inspired by early marine chronometers. Interestingly, Speake-Marin has said ‘for me, the case is primarily a means of clothing the movement, as was the case with early marine chronometers.’

I would suggest that Speake-Marin’s comments underplay the profound beauty of the Piccadilly case and that its design goes beyond mere functionality. It is gorgeous. The bezel is stepped, whilst the caseband features straight, vertical sides.

The caseback gently arcs near its extremities, providing a comfortable fit. It is retained with eight screws and features a modestly sized sapphire crystal at its centre.

The lugs are elongated, protruding from the case and tapering downwards. They exhibit a unique mien and feature prominent screws. The crown is fluted, proving simple to grip but without gouging the skin when the arm is flexed backwards.

The movement

The Velsheda is equipped with a self-winding Vaucher Calibre 3002 movement. The quality of Vaucher’s work needs little discussion, its reputation for excellence is renowned within the watch replica industry.

The movement features a personalised oscillating mass, delivered in an eye-catching blue hue, again referencing Speake-Marin’s own topping tool motif. Beneath the oscillating mass, the bridges are adorned with Côtes de Genève rayonnantes. Both the bridges and rotor have been hand finished.

Perusing the specification sheet of the Velsheda I could not fail to notice that the movement measures 30.4mm in width which seems small when considering the 42mm diameter of the cased watch. This aspect would explain why the sapphire crystal does not assume greater prominence on the caseback. Nevertheless, whilst some purists may prefer a movement which occupies a greater percentage of the case interior, the comparatively diminutive movement does little to diminish my affection for this watch.

Closing remarks

By exploring more creative design, there is a heightened risk of appealing to an increasingly small, specialist group of watch replica buyers. However, this does not seem to have deterred Speake-Marin who has conceived a highly individual timepiece.

A conventional two-handed watch replica may have proved commercially safer and less likely to polarise opinion. Thankfully, Peter Speake-Marin has shown great courage and wholeheartedly embraced originality, delivering a charming watch replica which I personally find very attractive.

Technical specification

• Model: Speake-Marin Velsheda

• Case: 18-carat red gold; diameter 42mm; height 12mm; water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres); sapphire crystal to front and caseback.

• Functions: Hours, minutes; small seconds.

• Movement: Vaucher Calibre 3002; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 28 jewels; power reserve 50 hours

• Strap: Black handmade alligator leather strap presented on an 18-carat red gold pin buckle

With its hypnotic small seconds display and delightful 18-carat red gold case, the Mens Fake Speake-Marin Valsheda watch reaffirms my affection for single handed watches which impart time with one lone voice.