Celtic Whirlwind - 31 January 2006

Though trained and experienced in the Vallée de Joux, John and Stephen McGonigle’s first creation is Irish to the core. The brothers’ hand-wound tourbillon with 110-hour power reserve is entirely constructed on the Emerald Isle, with components sourced in ébauche form from Switzerland and modified and finished in John’s Athlone workshop. For example, the train wheels and barrel have the unusual feature of wolftooth gearing – a style often used in late-19th and 20th century pocket watches. The dial is translucent sapphire, cut-away at the bottom to reveal the tourbillon cage. Also, the back of the mainplate is hand-engraved with a Celtic-inspired design by the brothers’ sister, Frances.

The McGonigle brothers share a wealth of experience in complicated watchmaking at Audemars Piguet, Franck Muller, Breguet and Christophe Claret, amongst others. They now work out of their own workshops, with Stephen dividing his time between Neuchâtel and Athlone in order to work on his quota of watches in Ireland. The first finished pieces will be ready at the end of February, each unique to the customer and hence lacking a serial number. Prices are not finalised yet, but the model in gold should be around €100,000, plus tax.

Further information: www.mcgonigle.ie