The McGonigle Tuscar launched at Baselworld 2010 as a limited edition of ten pieces. Despite launching with only a rough sketch of the balance bridge, it quickly sold out, as did subsequent Tuscar editions.

Now, after years of development and testing, Stephen McGonigle launches the Ogma, which will replace the Tuscar.

McGonigle Ogma launch edition prototype

I broke the news of the Ogma back in 2023 in New McGonigle Ogma for 2024: No Watch, No Photos, No Sketches, No Launch, But First Editions Already Nearly Sold Out – Welcome To the New Normal

The Ogma wasn’t ready in 2024, but McGonigle did share a few details in this short film.

McGonigle Tuska Bánú in white gold

At first, and indeed second, glance, the Ogma looks like a reworked Tuscar; however, that’s largely down to that large and very distinctive, pincer-shaped balance cock. Now even more eye-catching in black.

McGonigle Ogma launch edition prototype, note the Ogham alphabet notches around the crown

A closer look quickly confirms that the Ogma is an entirely new watch with an entirely new movement.

Here are a few of the significant differences between the Ogma and Tuscar:

Case diameter: 39.3 mm for the Ogma versus 43 mm for the Tuscar.
Mainspring barrel: one for the Ogma versus two for the Tuscar however both offer a 90-hour power reserve.
Balance frequency: 3 Hz for the Ogma versus 2.5 Hz for the Tuscar.
Power reserve indicator: yes for the Ogma, no for the Tuscar.

The 20-piece launch edition Ogmas will be in tantalum, so the cases will be a darker grey than the prototype pictured here. Tantalum is much heavier, stronger, and more scratch-resistant than steel. It’s also much, much more difficult to machine than nearly any other metal bar tungsten. While having a similar color to steel, it is a deeper gray and has a lustrous hue.

The bad news is that the launch edition Ogmas sold out long ago, but hopefully a new edition in red gold will launch towards the end of the year.

Features of the McGonigle Ogma

Hand Engraving

Stephen McGonigle’s sister, the artist Frances McGonigle, collaborated to create a design for the hand-engraved barrel bridge.

Movement side of the McGonigle Ogma launch edition

This hand-engraving shows a representation of Ogma,  the Irish mythological god of eloquence and invention, and is credited with creating the Ogham alphabet.

McGonigle has been using the Ogham alphabet in all their watches.

Balance bridge

As with the Tuscar, McGonigle incorporated his signature balance into the Ogma.

Breguet overcoil hairspring in the dial side regulator of the McGonigle Ogma

The balance bridge is painstakingly hand-finished, focusing the eye on the heart of the movement.

Power reserve indicator

McGonigle Ogma power reserve

The Ogma has the added complication of a 90-hour power reserve indicator on the dial powered through a differential.

Movement

Back of the McGonigle Ogma launch edition

I love the contrast between the elaborate hand engraving on the mainspring barrel bridge and tamer frosted finish on the large mainplate.

The three-dimensionality of the indications and movement dial side is reminiscent of Greubel Forsey, and that’s no easy feat to pull off. While the large pincer balance cock is likely to be a love it or hate it for most, I’m in the former camp.

For more information, please visit www.mcgonigle.ch/ogma

Quick Facts: McGonigle Ogma Tantalum Launch Edition
Indications: hours, minutes, small seconds, 90-hour power reserve
Dial: German silver/PVD
Hands: polished blue steel hands with beveled and grained white gold arrowheads
Case: tantalum
Case diameter: 39 mm
Water resistance: 50 meters
Movement: manual winding Calibre McG01, hand-engraved barrel90-hour power reserve, 3 Hz free sprung balance with Breguet overcoil, large 11.9 mm diameter balance wheel for better time keeping stability, hand-engraved German silver bridges and plates
Strap and buckle: hand-stitched natural rubber, faux alligator, with hand engraved steel pin buckle
Presentation case: Handcrafted, combining leather, oak and sycamore
Limitation: 20 pieces
Price: 79,000 Swiss francs (sold out)

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