AHCIreland..... John McGonigle Now AHCI Member
Warmest congratulations go to John McGonigle who has been made a full member of The Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants, and naturally our little hearts are bursting with national pride!
John studied at the Irish Swiss Institute of Horology in Dublin and the international watchmaking school, WOSTEP. In the years that followed he travelled extensively, working with Audemars Piguet, Christophe Claret and that most valuable of learning curves, the restoration and repair of prestigious timepieces. Since 1999 he has been back in Athlone, Ireland where he established his own workshop. In 2007, John and his brother Stephen founded McGonigle Watches. Their first piece, the McGonigle Tourbillon, with a rather striking “M” forming the tourbillon bridge was well received by the industry, praised for its simplistic design, the clarity of its dial and its flawless finishing. Their second piece, The Tuscar retained some of the features of the Tourbillon, but had the added distinction of a their own movement - a bold move for such a small independent brand so soon in its development.
The AHCI was founded in 1984 by Svend Andersen and Vincent Calabrese to promote, preserve and give publicity to independent watchmakers, a most resourceful group of individuals who make and develop their own timepieces without the restraints of a design department nor the security which a salary brings. Growing from its first exhibition in 1985 where 6 members showcased their timepieces, by 1987 the Academy was represented at Baselworld. The influence of the AHCI is such that now, no watch fair in the world is complete without their presence giving members of the public the opportunity not only to view these unique timepieces, but also to meet and chat with the men and women who sketched them, made them and assembled them.
More information at McGonigle Watches and AHCI.
My introduction to McGonigle Watches.
