A manufacture with a rich history, Schwarz Etienne is proud to be independent, a characteristic that has granted it the creative freedom to conceive extraordinary watches. This autonomy fosters a living, open dynamic that naturally grows through dialogue with independent watchmakers who share the same level of dedication. Now, following the success of its inaugural SYNERGY models, the company is pleased to unveil a new chapter: the 1902 SYNERGY by PETER SPEAKE. More than merely a co-branded creation, this limited edtion perpetuates the philosophy of ‘co-authorship’, showcasing the English watchmaker’s vision of time through depth and perspective, a testament to the Manufacture’s in-house expertise and expressed in its finest materials and finishes. Structured sapphire crystals, paired with a vibrant Prussian blue, capture the light and develop a visual language of their own. Conceived in the utmost respect of fine watchmaking.
A MANUFACTURE WITH NOTABLE HERITAGE
Since it was founded in 1902, Schwarz Etienne, the independent Swiss Manufacture, has been a continuous presence in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The city has a proud history of watchmaking, its architecture having been shaped by its principal industry, a characteristic that led to La Chaux-de-Fonds becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. Deeply rooted in the region’s history, Schwarz Etienne operates from a period building, Villa Sonnenheim. Known for its remarkable inhouse expertise, the company skilfully masters every stage of production from movement conception to final assembly. Crafting contemporary expressions of Haute Horlogerie, imbued with its unique independent spirit, Schwarz Etienne delivers ‘another perception of time’.
SYNERGY – TWO CULTURES, ONE WATCH
Drawing on its fully integrated expertise, Schwarz Etienne naturally places its savoir-faire within a dynamic of exchange and collaboration. The SYNERGY concept goes beyond a simple co-signature: it creates a genuine dialogue between the Manufacture’s culture of movement and the singular expression of a watchmaker-creator, giving rise to a shared vision of watchmaking. In 2020, the Manufacture invited acclaimed watchmaker, Kari Voutialainen to reimagine one of its existing models, infusing it with his own personality. The resultant timepiece, the ROMA SYNERGY by KARI VOUTILAINEN, united the mechanical virtuosity of Schwarz Etienne with the Finnish watchmaker’s prowess for pure designs and exalted finishing.
Schwarz Etienne is now pleased to unveil its latest ‘co-authored’ timepiece, the 1902 SYNERGY by PETER SPEAKE. The Manufacture invited the English watchmaker to reinterpret its existing model, the 1902 RÉSERVE DE MARCHE, executing it in his own distinctive style. The objective was simple – to create a shared work, uniting two cultures, distilled into one single watch.
PETER SPEAKE – A UNIQUE VISION
Peter Speake is a name familiar to legions of horophiles, a master watchmaker with more than 35 years experience working in the watch industry. His professional journey began at the tender age of 17 when he first attended Hackney College. Thereafter, he travelled to Neuchâtel, studying at the Swiss Watchmaking School WOSTEP, before commencing work in England and, subsequently, Switzerland. It was during his time working at the prestigious firm Renaud & Papi in Le Locle, that Peter worked on high complications, an experience that has served him well. In 2000, he took the bold step to branch out on his own, becoming self-employed. His talents were soon recognised and he went on to collaborate with Harry Winston, MB&F, Maîtres du Temps, Schwarz Etienne, etc. In 2022, he founded PS Horology, a brand that creates Swiss timepieces shaped by artistic, cultural and historic influences from the around the globe,
1902 SYNERGY BY PETER SPEAKE – A SHARED EXPRESSION
Peter’s expression blends imagination and ambition while remaining firmly rooted in the watchmaking universe of Schwarz Etienne. In this creation, dedicated to the Manufacture’s power reserve complication, aesthetic expression enters into dialogue with technical precision and the Maison’s watchmaking identity,
shaping a reading of time that is both personal and faithful to its heritage.
1902 SYNERGY BY PETER SPEAKE – AN ELEGANT ENSEMBLE
When creating the 1902 SYNERGY by PETER SPEAKE, the Swiss Manufacture and English watchmaker sought to create an elegant watch with a slim profile and balanced proportions. The 1902 collection, launched in 2025, provided the ideal housing for the model and showcases the Maison’s extraordinary savoir-faire. Measuring 39 mm in diameter and formed from Grade 5 titanium, the case is light, corrosion resistant and hypoallergenic. Its smooth, taut lines are complemented with polished surfaces throughout, save for the lugs which are satin-finished. The watch is presented on a blue textured strap with black rubber lining, paired with a
Grade 5 titanium pin buckle.
