The Reason
A unique hand finished and engraved minute repeater with Irish design influences.
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A minute repeater is a complication in a mechanical watch that audibly chimes the hours, quarters and minutes.
Ceol, the name of this repeater in Gaelic means music. The dial is engine turned then laquered green.
The case is 41mm in diameter and made from 18k white gold. The reference on the case back McGJC15 is in part associated to the first client who commissioned a Ceol repeater.
The bridges are made from German Silver (Maillechort) hand engraved in Le Locle (Switzerland), hand finished and unplated.
The case is water resistant. There is an inner case which insulates the movement by a wall that allows the outer pusher to activate the repeater through an insulated and curved bar.
In total the movement has 283 components, 27 jewels, 52 hour power reserve, and the balance vibrates at a frequency of 2.5Hz, 18000bhp
The white gold case partially dismantelled.
The minute repeater calibre
The balance and cock assembly.
The repeater gongs made from hardened steel
The 10.2mm balance wheel
The repeater hammers, after polishing, before assembly.
The naked mainplate before cleaning.
The two piece setting mechanism.
The lower parts were photographed prior to adjustmentt and cleaning.
Profile crown view
Profile repeater sider view
Partial explosion
Stephen McGonigle's sister Frances is the artist /designer who is the creative source of the engraving.
To learn more about McGonigle watches click on www.mcgonigle.ch