Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Speake-Marin Academic BUNYAN Limited Edition
A distinct new salmon tone for a special collaborative Academic.
The Speake-Marin Academic has been part of the brand’s collection for several years and was introduced during the 2018 edition of the SIHH. The Academic is one of the more down-to-earth, straightforward models in the collection, combining some of the signature Speake-Marin elements. New for 2022 is a collaborative limited edition, made with 10TenLabs, a watch collecting platform from the Middle East. Here’s the Speake-Marin Academic BUNYAN limited edition.
10TenLabs is a relatively young membership-based platform offering a variety of services. Applying for membership lands you several benefits, including a concierge service, retailer services for several watch brands, and allocation for special limited edition pieces. One such very limited run of watches is this Speake-Marin Academic BUNYAN.
The Speake-Marin Academic BUNYAN uses the Piccadilly-style case of the standard Academic as a base. This means it is fashioned out of grade 5 titanium and has a mix of brushed and polished finishing. It features the characteristic oversized crown and sculpted and screwed lugs. It is topped with a stepped bezel with a sapphire crystal. On the reverse side of the case we find a second sapphire crystal, with the 10TenLabs logo printed in white Super-LumiNova on the inside.
The focal point for the Speake-Marin Academic BUNYAN revolves around Middle Eastern elements, both in script and in architecture. Its name actually refers to “building” in Arabic and is said to take cues from cities like Riyadh, Dubai, Kuwait, Doha or Abu Dhabi. It’s finished in an attractive salmon tone with different textures on the various elements. The recessed central section has a finely grained texture, while the raised parts are finished with a coarser finish, increasing the contrast between the two sections. As a watch designed with Middle Eastern references, the raised peripheral ring features four Hindu-Arabic numbers. However, like other Speake-Marin’ models, it features the signature spade and whip hands to indicate the hours and minutes, with a small second sub-dial in the top right corner.
Power comes from the Speake-Marin Calibre SMA03, a proprietary movement wound with a micro-rotor. This is where we find another key Speake-Marin element, the topping tool symbol in gold. The movement uses 31 jewels and ticks at a frequency of 28,800vph. Fully wound, it provides a healthy 52 hours of running time. The finishing includes Côtes de Genève, bevelled edges and polished screws to give it a pleasant appeal.
The Speake-Marin Academic BUNYAN is worn on a black tapered rubber strap with a pin buckle. Combined with the luscious salmon dial and the Piccadilly case it is a very interesting mix of elements and a very contemporary-looking piece. It is a limited edition of 10 pieces only, at a price of CHF 13,400 each.
For more information, please visit Speake-Marin.comSpeake-Marin.com or 10TenLabs.com.
