Rugby fans (and I assume there are plenty of you here down under and across the ditch) rejoice! This one is for you! Stephen McGonigle has temporarily ditched his teammate (and brother) to release a solo watch. Don’t worry. I have it on good authority they’re still friends…
Stephen is obsessed with rugby and wanted to build a watch that is inspired by the odd-shaped ball that is anything but round (so I suppose AFL fans could also jump on the wagon).
The tonneau-shaped watch is one of the most difficult (if not the most) shape to make for a watch, (even more so in grade 5 titanium) what with all the curvature going in all directions, and are notoriously difficult to make water-resistant (yet this watch is resistant to 100m), plus the crystal AND the dial are also curved, which again, isn’t easy to make. Stephen said that the dial had to be manually finished and the Super-Luminova are hand-painted. (These are giant anvils hinting at certain price points…)
The more cynical of you will point to Franck Muller and Richard Mille and say something about bumping uglies and offsprings but where were you when watches are released in circular or square/rectangle form? Huh?
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty – apart from the rugby ball inspired case shape, the chronograph subdials are also rugby shaped. Also, the way the indices are placed and shaped creates a negative space on the dial that is also – yep you guessed it- rugby ball-shaped. I could say the same about the shape of the hands but… no… I don’t really see it. Maybe some aspect of creative licensing was used but… maybe after downing a few pints at the McGonigle pub in Neuchatel… maybe…
Powered by a custom-finished La Joux-Perret chronograph movement, the 50-piece limited edition is available in two versions (titanium and black – sandblasted titanium then DLC treated titanium) retails at EUR 9,800 and 11,800 respectively, excluding VAT, and is available from
If you are a fan of rugby, love a piece of independent watchmaking and perhaps relish the idea of being able to have a drink and talk sports with the watchmaker at his own pub, then this is the watch for you. Granted it isn’t cheap, but it is an independent watch. And to be honest, if you’re going to be quoting Daytona retail pricing then… this really isn’t the watch for you, is it?
Hit the below link for a profile on Stephen
https://www.thenakedwatchmaker.com/people-stephen-mcgonigle
And the pub? It’s Cafe du Cerf
“The best timepieces are inspired but they shouldn’t necessarily be defined by their inspiration” – Magon Watches
Specification:
Limited edition 50 pieces only
Case material Grade 5 Titanium
Case dimensions 46 mm x 43 m
Thickness 13.80 mm
Water-resistance 10 ATM – 100 meters
Dial Stamped/CNC, Hand-painted, SLN
Strap Swiss made, hand-stitched strap. 22/20
Buckle Grade 5 Titanium, MAGON engraving
Crystals Domed front and flat black, anti-reflective coating
Movement LJP 7772
Power reserve 55 hours
