Irish independent master Stephen McGonigle kicks for the win with the cool sports themed Fórsa chronograph watch, which makes its debut appearance and introduces his new MAGON brand, offering an alternative and attractive proposition to the one-of-a kind masterpieces he is best known for, at a dramatically more accessible entry point.

To connoisseur collectors of independent watchmaking, the McGonigle name needs no introduction. Based just outside Neuchâtel yet Irish to the core, over the last fifteen years since brothers Stephen and John established their eponymous company in 2006, a succession of spectacular and unique hand crafted masterpieces have earned them a reputation among the very finest watchmakers of their generation.

While the brothers parted company a couple of years ago, with John returning to Ireland to concentrate on his Oileán brand, Stephen has continued the McGonigle name in Switzerland, creating his exceptional bespoke pieces to order. MAGON however is an entirely different proposition, and one which allows the gifted and vastly experienced master of complications to venture into new watchmaking territory, with the same uncompromising attention to detail, and also, perhaps a little bit of indulgence in taking inspiration from another subject which is very close to his heart.

The first MAGON model to be unveiled is called Fórsa, which is the Irish word for Force. A chronograph powered by a bespoke modified premium grade Swiss movement, encased in a sleek tonneau-style case and manufactured in Grade 5 titanium, it comes in two limited edition versions of twenty-five pieces each, with the choice of Fórsa Titanium in polished titanium or the Fórsa Dubh which has a black DLC applied over a finely sandblasted surface, and priced at €9,800 and €11,800 respectively. In many ways, it is a watch which very much stands out from the crowd, as it is unique in that it has few, if any, direct rivals boasting similar attributes, but of course, there is a lot more to it than this.

MAGON Fórsa Dubh (L) and MAGON Fórsa Titanium (R)

More than being a sports watch per se, Fórsa is a watch which takes its inspiration from sport, or more precisely, from a very particular sport of which Stephen has been an avid follower since boyhood, and throughout, it features styling cues which have a distinctly oval theme. That’s because Fórsa owes its appearance and indeed, its raison d’être, to the game of rugby, and the shape of the oval ball upon which so many of its details are modelled. Such an unusual source of inspiration has gifted the watchmaker the opportunity to explore the design possibilities presented to him by the shape and nuances and even texture of the professional rugby ball, and although the influence of the oval ball on the overall concept is clearly visible, the connection is not overtly obvious unless you know the back story (you do now…). He is keen to emphasise that Fórsa is not a niche wristwatch created exclusively for rugby fans.

The case is manufactured in hard wearing and lightweight Grade 5 titanium, and measures 43mm across and 46mm in length. Its surfaces are rounded, and apart from between the lugs, at the the top and bottom of the dial, there isn’t a straight edge to be found. Even the chronograph pushers are scaled down ovals, and in fact each element of the design is complementary to the rest of the watch.

Curvature flows across the specially manufactured sapphire crystal, and also on the dial beneath, which itself is unusual and far from straightforward as it is formed from a single block, which is then stamped into a complex dome profile, which is further accentuated by the tall and angular hour indices, which are part of the dial and not applied. There are certainly easier ways to go about making a watch, but this watchmaker does not believe in workarounds or shortcuts, and it shows in the meticulous detailing which hide in every part of the watch.

The pronounced hour markers are generously filled with hand painted Super-LumiNova, and emit a powerful blue-green glow in low light conditions. The hands are curved along their flanks, and also glow vividly in the dark for instant legibility at all times. Subtle differences on the dials are specific to each of the two versions, with the hands and hour markers finished in silvery steel on the polished edition, while those elements are blacked out on the DLC Fórsa Dubh option, giving it a more stealthy appearance.

The chronograph counters and constant small seconds are displayed on oval subdials with the thirty-minute and twelve-hour registers at the three and six respectively, and the seconds at the nine, and the green chrono seconds hand and MAGON motif combine to complement perfectly the black and white backdrop of the dial.

On the underside, a sapphire caseback reveals a self winding movement by specialist company La Joux-Perret. Modified to bespoke MAGON specifications, it has polished screws with black DLC, and the contrasting black and polished detailing on the column wheel is another eye catching feature. The partially skeletonised rotor is finished in MAGON green PVD, and maintains a power reserve of fifty-five hours, while the movement runs at a brisk 28’800 vib/hr.

When it comes to straps, there are five options with green or matte/gloss black to chose from. Here too, Stephen McGonigle has gone the extra yard to achieve the effect and quality he was pursuing. All five straps are manufactured entirely in rubber, even the ‘alligator’ patterned versions, making them much more durable, water resistant and therefore long lasting than any animal hide - another factor which was never up for negotiation is that no animals would be harmed in the production of these watches. Also unique to his MAGON brand, two of these straps are dimpled to replicate precisely the texture of a rugby ball. A quick release spring bar makes switching the straps, and thereby transforming the appearance of the watch a matter of a moment.

It genuinely seems that there is no detail which has been overlooked in bringing Fórsa to life, and if its styling, in a world knee deep in round watches, may be slightly unconventional, it stands out all the more because of that.

For more information and to order, visit www.magonwatches.com

Fact File: MAGON Fórsa Titanium by Stephen McGonigle

Reference: Fórsa
Manufacturer: MAGON
Case: Grade 5 titanium / Black DLC titanium
Case dimension: ø 43mm, L 46mm, H 13.8mm
Dial: Black with luminous hour markers and hands
Features: thirty-minute and twelve-hour chronograph counters, small seconds
Movement: Bespoke MLJP self winding calibre, 28',800 vib/hr
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph
Power reserve: 55 hours
Caseback: Sapphire glass
Water resistance: 100m
Strap: Choice of green/black rubber with dimple effect or faux alligator pattern
Price:
- Fórsa Titanium €9,800 (plus applicable VAT)
- Fórsa Dubh €11,800 (plus applicable VAT)