Earlier this year WatchPro unveiled its Watches of the Year 2013, made up of 10 winning timepieces and 90 highly commended watches that we felt boasted commercial appeal, innovation and had wowed consumers and retailers alike over the past 12 months.
Highly commended for the WatchPro Luxury Watch of the Year 2013 was the Speake-Marin Spirit MK II DLC.
The evolution of the Spirit MK II from the steel case option to the recently launched version with its diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated steel case brings with it something of a new look for English watchmaker Speake-Marin, and is worlds away from any dated perceptions of what Englishness looks like.
Clean white enamel has moved aside for this more military style choice. The three-dimensional black matte Spirit MK II DLC features refined numerals and hour markers in white Super-Luminova, contrasting vividly with the light-absorbing finished case, for easy-to-read indications.
The watch comes complete with a unidirectional, automatic-winding movement and a second barrel, and has a five-day power reserve.
The dial is framed by a hand-finished circular grained bezel and the 42mm sandblasted stainless steel case is coated with anthracite DLC.The caseback is solid and slightly domed, providing it with strength and protection for the movement within.
Homegrown watch innovation is always welcomed and this model is a satisfying demonstration of Speake-Marin moving things along. The message on the watch back provides an additional can-do boost, telling us to ‘Fight, Love & Perservere’.
To read a digital version of the WatchPro Watches of the Year 2013 edition click here.
