The phrase “Eire” may encourage photographs of verdant land, creamy darkish Guinness, fortunate shamrocks, and mischievous leprechauns, however few are prone to affiliate the nation with effective watchmaking.
Even when Irish watchmakers John and Stephen McGonigle launched their very own model McGonigle Watches again in 2006, it was (and nonetheless is) based mostly in Switzerland the place the brothers educated and honed their expertise engaged on issues for prestigious Swiss manufacturers.
I first met brothers John and Stephen at Baselworld 2006, and on the finish of the day steered to John that we seize a beer (or two) and I interview him for an article in iW journal. He got here throughout as pretty relaxed throughout the day, however as I began the interview he appear to develop more and more nervous and burdened. I requested him if something was improper and he replied that it was simply that it was his first time being interviewed by an actual journalist. I laughed and replied that that was my first time being referred to as an actual journalist.
McGonigle Watches grew efficiently, particularly after the launch of the Tuscar in 2010, which featured the brothers’ first in-house motion. Nevertheless, with Stephen residing in Switzerland and John in Eire the logistics of working collectively (even pre-COVID-19) led the brothers to amicably cut up. In 2020 John launched his personal model Oileán (pronounced il-awn), which is Gaelic for “island.”
Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph with seen lume
Whereas maybe higher identified for making modern watches, John is among the greatest watch restorers I do know and his hand ending is second to none. So for Oileán he determined that he would make watches that enabled the actions to take middle stage.
John McGonigle at his bench
Oileán H-B1: motion
John McGonigle’s first watch is the Oileán H-B1, a triple-calendar column wheel chronograph powered by a extremely modified new-old inventory Valjoux 88 motion.
Again of the motion of the Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph
“Modified” doesn’t do justice to what McGonigle has executed to this legendary chronograph motion, although. He has superlatively polished all parts to scale back friction, thinned the springs in order that they function extra easily and effectively, straight grained the flat metal, and beveled and mirror-polished all screw heads.
McGonigle Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph motion element
McGonicle additionally changed most of the authentic copper-beryllium and brass parts with metal elements, each to maximise the lifetime of the motion and to allow a a lot increased degree of hand ending. And if that wasn’t sufficient, McGonigle additionally changed a few bridges with these of his personal design.
High of the motion of the Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph
Whereas the clear, barely smoked sapphire crystal dial gives tantalizing views to the highest of the motion, the view via the show again is solely breathtaking.
Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph
Oileán H-B1: dial and indications
Not surprisingly for a triple calendar chronograph, there’s a lot occurring dial aspect of the H-B1. The time is displayed by central hours and minutes by way of skeletonized palms with cool blue Tremendous-LumiNova-filled arrow ideas. Small seconds are in a subdial at 9 o’clock.
Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph by John McGonigle
The triple calendar capabilities embrace the day at 11 o’clock and the month at 1 o’clock, whereas the date is displayed by a central arrow-tipped, heat-blued hand across the periphery of the dial. There’s additionally a moon section indicator (as a result of why not?) inside the chronograph’s 12-hour totalizer at 6 o’clock.
The chronograph contains a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock (with “Eire” on the backside), and an elegantly slim, central, blued elapsed second hand with luminous tip at one finish and an arrowhead counterweight on the different.
Shoppers have the choices of both white or black for the day and month disks in addition to having the principle plate and bridges both rhodium- or gold-plated.
Oileán H-B1: case
The case, a really wearable 40 mm in diameter, is in light-weight Grade 5 titanium. However the triple calendar module does bump up the thickness to a chunky 14.2 mm. This isn’t a discreet under-the-cuff gown watch – nicely, not except you have got huge cuffs.
McGonigle Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph in profile
The extremely polished titanium chronograph pushers are on both aspect of the crown that includes an engraved Oileán harp emblem (the harp being one in all Eire’s nationwide hallmarks). On the opposite aspect of the case band are two flush corrector pushers for the calendar indications.
Conclusion
McGonigle’s purpose was to focus on the motion with one of the best conventional watchmaking methods and hand ending. He has completed that fantastically as nearly all the sensationally completed motion is open to view both via the sapphire crystal dial or show again. Whereas not a restricted version, he’s limiting manufacturing to only eight items a yr, and never surprisingly already has a backlog of orders.
Again of the Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph
The Oileán H-B1 is a look ahead to motion geeks (like me) and whereas at €23,500 (earlier than taxes) it definitely isn’t low-cost, it’s one of the best value-for-money, exquisitely hand-finished, difficult watch I’ve ever seen.
Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph by John McGonigle
For extra data, please go to www.oilean.watch.
Fast Details Oileán H-B1
Case: 40 x 14.2 mm, Grade 5 titanium with show again, water resistance 30 m
Dial: clear smoked sapphire crystal
Motion: hand-wound modified Valjoux 88 with triple calendar, 3 Hz/21,600 vph frequency, energy reserve 40 hours
Capabilities: hours, minutes, small seconds; date, day, month, moon section; chronograph
Strap: leather-based with titanium pin buckle
Limitation: 8 items per yr
Worth: €23,500 (excluding taxes)
* This text was first printed on February 26, 2021 at John McGonigle Oileán H-B1 Triple Calendar Chronograph: I Don’t Know Of A Extra Lovely Sophisticated Motion Accessible For The Cash.
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