McGonigle lifts covers off the Ogma, the masterpiece that sold out sight unseen
Borna Bošnjak- Legendary Irish watchmaker Stephen McGonigle reveals the final design of the Ogma, a watch that has been rumoured since mid-2024.
- The Tuscar’s successor sports a new design language for McGonigle, but retains familiar elements such as the oversized balance and sceptre-like balance cock.
- Incredibly, the first run of 20 pieces in tantalum sold before collectors even knew what the watch would look like, with further series coming in the future.
Let’s face it, the days of perusing watch forums like WatchProSite have been largely replaced by scrolling past yet another post of Mike Nouveau flexing a tiny Cartier in Paris or some rapper posing next to a steering wheel full of Richard Milles. But there is value still in the old school, as you might find whispers about watches like this – the McGonigle Ogma. Back in mid-2024, rumours started percolating about a new watch by the Irish master watchmaker, only to be confirmed in September by McGonigle’s publishing of the above video. Now, we finally get a closer look at the new Ogma, which downsizes significantly compared to McGonigle’s past watches, but loses none of the hand-crafted beauty you’d expect from someone entrusted with the restoration of the Breguet Pendule Sympathique.
The Ogma is named after the Irish god of eloquence, and the inventor of the Ogham script that has featured in all McGonigle watches until now – you’ll see it used on this one shortly. With a 39.3mm diameter, the Ogma is set to be much more wearable than its predecessor, the Tuscar, which came in at 43mm. While the prototype you’re looking at here shows off intricate frosted and polished finishes in steel, the first Ogma series is actually a run of tantalum pieces. I look forward to seeing the photographs of those, as the muted, bluish hue of the infamously difficult-to-work-with metal will give the Ogma another dimension.
Looking at the dial from afar, the layout is a subtle but pleasant evolution from the Tuscar, too. The time is no longer displayed centrally, moving to an offset sub-dial, balanced out by the small seconds at 8, and the new power reserve indicator at 10. All the time-telling dials get a brushed, PVD-coated finish, set against a frosted backdrop of German silver, which not only looks phenomenal now, but will look even better once patina sets in.
The centrepiece of the dial is still the escapement, however, with the cantilevered, large balance wheel an easy tell that this is a McGonigle watch. It’s free-sprung and sports a Breguet overcoil, with large regulating weights at the cardinal points and a slow beat rate of 3Hz. I also love how the polished steel componentry for the rest of the escapement, as the uniquely shaped bridge, escape wheel, and pallet fork contrast against the matte elements of the dial.
And talking of the escapement and finishing, the Ogma sports a new movement, despite the nomenclature carrying over from previous McGonigle watches. It’s still called the McG01, and it’s still manually wound with a 90-hour power reserve, but it no longer features a double-barrel design like in the Tuscar, rather opting for a large single one, visible through the cut-out in the top left. The Ogma is also not particularly showy about its internals, hiding it all away beneath tightly fitting German silver plates. I’m a big fan of the visual split between the frosted and hand-engraved portions, with the latter sporting a design created by Stephen McGonigle’s sister, Frances. It’s also where you’ll find that aforementioned Ogham script, spelling out “OGMA”, as you may expect.
McGonigle Ogma pricing and availability
The McGonigle Ogma is debuting as a limited series of 20 pieces in tantalum, all of which were sold before the watch was unveiled. McGonigle will be announcing the next series of Ogma watches soon. Price: CHF 79,000 (tantalum), TBC for future series
| Brand | McGonigle |
| Model | Ogma |
| Case Dimensions | 39.3mm (D) |
| Case Material |
Steel (pictured prototype)
Tantalum (limited series) |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | German silver, PVD coating |
| Strap | Natural rubber, hand-engraved pin buckle |
| Movement | McG01, in-house, manual winding |
| Power Reserve | 90 hours |
| Functions |
Hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve
|
| Availability |
First series sold out, future series to be announced
|
| Price | CHF 79,000 (tantalum) TBC for future series |