Drawing on their British heritage, Speake Marin have introduced a new offering in their eccentric Ripples collection inspired by an iconic district of London.
The integrated bracelet sports watch scene is, for lack of a more professional word, bloated. Ever since the post-COVID boom in watch culture, the integrated bracelet has made a massive comeback, dominating much of the modern watch space even today. But with domination comes overreliance.
Though early pioneers and modern icons like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Tissot PRX have cemented their place in horological history, the only way to truly stand out these days is to, well, stand out. That’s exactly what independent watchmaker Speake Marin did when they introduced the Ripples collection in 2022.
While it does indeed possess an integrated bracelet, and is a sporty watch at that, pigeonholing it as just “another integrated bracelet sports watch” would be foolish. The design, silhouette and layout are unlike anything else on the market, making for a highly compelling addition to any collection. This year, the Anglo-Swiss brand continues to solidify the Ripples’ position within the subgenre, channelling its British heritage alongside fine Swiss watchmaking in a new pastel rendition.
A Comfy Cushion
Meet the Speake Marin Ripples Portobello. From the outset, it’s not reinventing the wheel of what we know and love from the brand. What immediately stands out is the steel La City case, remaining unchanged at 40.3mm wide, 48mm from end link to end link, and a slim 9.2mm thick.
Invented by Stéphane Lacroix, the La City case blends curved and geometric lines into a squircle silhouette. While plenty of British influences are still to come, the case itself takes inspiration from London’s financial district. The alternating brushed and polished finishes give the Ripples line a distinctive identity, one adaptable enough to transition from business to the bar.
While we at Watch Advice are most familiar with the Ripples on its stainless steel bracelet, the Ripples Portobello instead comes on a lavender leather strap complete with a denim-like finish. It’s similar to another version of the Ripples released at Watches and Wonders 2025 and also comes with the same folding buckle and clasp combination. Rated to 50 metres of water resistance, it’s undoubtedly a surface dweller, but 50 metres is more than enough to handle the modern wearer’s dynamic day.
Portobello Purple
What also makes the Speake Marin Ripples so distinctive, other than its La City case, is its unusual dial layout. For me, the elephant in the room is the inclusion of the small seconds complication. While we’ve seen sub-dials at three, four, six, nine and even 12 o’clock, this may be the only watch that positions its small seconds at around 1:30.
It’s a design decision that may seem innocuous, or even dictated by movement architecture on paper, but here it feels entirely intentional and intuitive, giving you a quicker reading of the seconds should the Ripples be hiding beneath your sleeve. Completing the look is Speake Marin’s signature handset, as well as simple stick indices that forego lume in favour of polished shine.
Of course, we can’t talk about the Ripples collection without mentioning its defining feature: the 12 engraved horizontal ripples that adorn the dial. Set in silver-toned brass and finished with lavender lacquer, it’s a lively pastel display that feels almost tailor-made for such an eccentric watch. Speaking of which, the colour itself takes inspiration from another of London’s many icons: Portobello Road in Notting Hill.
Known for its vibrant, bohemian atmosphere and brightly coloured buildings, it’s a love letter to all things unconventional, something Speake Marin has fully embraced for this rendition. But if you’re an Aussie and don’t quite get the British comparisons, just think of jacarandas and you’ll be set.
Slick Mechanics
While the brand delights in making the Ripples unfamiliar to most eyes, the level of watchmaking within the Speake Marin manufacture proves it’s by no means removed from traditional mechanics and masterful engineering. Turning the watch around proves this. Through the display caseback, Speake Marin’s Calibre SMA03-T can be admired. A micro-rotor automatic movement, it operates at a 4Hz (28,800VpH) beat rate and delivers a respectable 52-hour power reserve.
The finishing is excellent, with large Geneva stripes across the bridges and plates, while the tungsten micro-rotor bears laser-engraved decoration atop a micro bead-blasted surface. It’s a major departure from the simple sunray finishes we once saw on the Calibre SMA03-T, so it’s great to see Speake Marin’s continued commitment to refining and improving its movements.
Initial Thoughts
When I first read about this watch, I was reminded of one of my favourite films of all time: Notting Hill, set in the district of the same name and starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. Portobello Road itself features prominently in a scene that illustrates the misery of bookstore owner Will Thacker.
Played by Grant, he walks through all four seasons while wandering the Portobello markets. Not only was the sequence an incredible technical achievement for its time, but it also celebrated the uniqueness of what is arguably Notting Hill’s most iconic street, even amidst Thacker’s despondency.
Similarly, the Speake Marin Ripples Portobello presents itself as the perfect canvas to capture the beauty of the eclectic neighbourhood. The watch is just as unconventional, both in its design and mechanical execution, and while lavender might seem an unusual colour for most timepieces, it almost feels as though it was always destined for the Ripples.
Already a captivating watch, inspired by an equally characterful corner of London, the Speake Marin Ripples Portobello channels both its English and Swiss roots to create a timepiece of distinctive craftsmanship, refinement and playful personality.
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | 604015600 |
| Dimensions | 40.3mm case diameter x 48mm link-to-link × 9.2mm thickness |
| Case | Stainless steel |
| Dial | Lavender lacquer with Ripples finishing |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Open, sapphire |
| Movement | Automatic micro-rotor Cal. SMA03-T with small seconds complication |
| Power Reserve | 52h |
| Beat Rate | 4Hz / 28,800VpH |
| Water Resistance | 50m / 5bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Lavender leather strap with steel folding buckle clasp |