While the solitary hand extends across the diameter of the dial, its central hub is in the form of the Speake-Marin topping tool logo, as is the central seconds wheel sitting above it. The rotation of the seconds wheel on top of the slower moving hub of the hand creates ever-changing, eye-catching patterns, drawing the eye to the centre of Velsheda’s dial.
The blued hand and topping tool motifs contrast against the elegant white lacquer, multi-level dial. The sides of the highly legible Roman numerals taper towards the centre, a subtle but significant detail endowing the dial with its dynamic, contemporary feel.
The sculpted hand is neatly counterbalanced by a pointer at one end and an arc at the other; coupled with the fine 5-minute graduations around the peripheral chapter ring they create an overall aesthetic echoing that of a marine compass.
This seafaring visual aspect is fitting since Velsheda’s name is inspired by the marine world: The British “J Class” yacht Velsheda was designed for racing and in the 1930s was one of the most technically advanced sloops of her day. This nautical feel is strengthened by the stainless steel Piccadilly case featuring a fluted, two-position crown (manual winding and time-setting with hacking seconds).
Peter Speake-Marin says: “The shape of the Speake-Marin Piccadilly case is inspired by early marine chronometers. For me, the case is a means of clothing the movement, just as it was with those traditional maritime instruments.”
Velsheda’s Eros calibre is an automatic winding movement, featuring a long, five-day power reserve and the signature Speake-Marin ‘mystery’ rotor. The large-diameter movement dominates the view through the display-back and provides a technical backdrop for the beautifully finished rotor.
