Baselworld 2010 – McGonigle Tuscar

Independent watchmakers John and Stephen McGonigle will release the “Tuscar” featuring their new time-only in-house movement, calibre McG01.

With a bit more than a week to go before Baselworld 2010 starts, the number of new watches is overwhelming. Something of a complete different order is a new in-house caliber, especially if it comes from two very talented independent watchmakers!

John McGonigle says the goal was to create a time-only watch with a high focus on excellent timekeeping, a substantial power reserve, reliability and with superb finishing and decoration. The design had to have a clean coherent style and the principle mechanical elements had to be visible on the dial side. This was only possible if they developed their own movement from the ground up. And that’s what they did…

Caliber McG01 is a hand-wound movement with two mainspring barrels that provide a power reserve of 90 hours. It also features a free sprung balance spring with Breguet overcoil and a gold escape wheel, that functions without oil. To improve timekeeping stability they choose a balance with a large diameter (12.8 mm).

The Tuscar is limited to 10 pieces called ‘One of Ten’. This first series will be distinctive from models to follow by virtue of materials used in the movement, the design and shape of certain bridges, the type of finish of individual parts and the engraving. So if you’re interested i suggest you contact McGonigle fast!!

The Tuscar ‘One of Ten’ has a white gold case, measuring 42.5 mm and a transparent sapphire dial reveals the new caliber. The sapphire dial is a style feature that was also used on the McGonigle Tourbillon. Speaking of which…

This is the Tourbillon wristwatch that John and Stephen McGonigle released in 2007 at Baselworld. Later i will write more about these candidate members of the AHCI, their first watch and of course the new Tuscar ‘One of Ten’.