Co-author: Emanuelle Modig Davin
St. Paddy’s day – I could think of no better occasion to wear a green watch. This saint who brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century was originally associated with blue. But ever since the Irish rebellion of 1798, St. Patrick’s Day is all about green; just like the country itself.
Going Green
So, what are the most beautiful green watches around? Well, to me green tends to be even more interesting when combined with a texture, such as the ceramic case and mèga tapisserie dial on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph (perfect for plunging into a green ocean) or the recently released Royal Oak Selfwinding with a malachite dial. Other tantalizing green textures can be had with the Chopard Alpine Eagle, where the dial is inspired by the iris of the bird, or on the Endeavour Centre Seconds H. Moser & Cie. Here the Schaffhausen-based brand combines artisanal skills such as hammered dials adorned with enameled green. If racing green is your thing go for the Pioneer Centre Seconds Cosmic Green, and for a more pop hue, go for the Pioneer Centre Seconds Concept Citrus Green. The brand also has a green Streamliner Centre seconds if you want to combine a cushion shaped case with the color worn by Middle Age bankers, merchants and the gentry. If you are more into smooth dials, Longines has several good examples, for instance in the Master Collection. Or go for what Robert Downey Junior wore at the Oscars, the Blancpain Bathyscaphe Quantieme Complet Phases de Lunes.
Irish Horology
And is there such a thing as Irish horology? Yes, if you want to go really Irish, look for micro brands Nomadic or McGonigle. The first one, priced from around 1’000 CHF has green details all of its watches in the Black Shamrock collection, for instance green bezel on the Maraí, and green subdials on the Cead 126. And in the Emerald collection you find green dials as well.
But if you want real horology from the Emerald Isle, look for McGonigle, co-founded by Stephen McGonigle who has workshops in Switzerland and Ireland. With price tags in the hundreds of thousands thanks to inhouse movements featuring complications like tourbillons and minute repeaters, this is horology more serious than Guiness! And yes – sometimes the brand with a famously lobster-claw-shaped bridge also uses green dials or details, often combined with artisanal feats like handmade guilloché.
For those who celebrate St. Patrick’s Day properly here in Geneva, it doesn’t stop with the watch – they also drink green beer and go for live music. You will find troubadours on several Irish pubs around Geneva, and at the legendary institution L’Usine, the headlining acts for St. Patrick’s Day re Celtic punk bands The Rumjacks (AUS) and High Sea Looters (CH).
Sláinte! (Cheers in Gaelic, pronounced Slan-chair without the r.)
