Scottish Watches Podcast #500 : The Watchmaking Magician Stephen McDonnell

Welcome to the Scottish Watches Podcast – Episode 500! Can you believe we have managed to get to half 1,000 episodes?! Click here to read along and see the photos in our show notes as you listen – http://www.scottishwatches.co.....uk/2023/09/14/scotti This special episode of the podcast is brought to you from the close-to-home location of Belfast and the experiences and expertise of one of the world’s leading horological wizards – Stephen McDonnell! Starting his journey when he was mesmerized by the sound of a clock he repaired at the age of just 7, he went on to join WOSTEP after university and gained experience repairing clocks for local jewelers. His aptitude for the trade was recognized and he stayed on as an instructor after graduating. One of the courses he taught was Restoration and Complication which he took over from his instructor, Kari Voutilainen. While gaining an ever deeper understanding of that field, he built his workshop. Eventually, he left to become an independent specialist for various brands and projects, including with the likes of Peter Speake-Marin and Max Busser. What Stephen McDonnell is most known for is his integral part in rescuing Legacy Machine 1 for MB&F and revolutionizing the perpetual calendar complication for the Legacy Machine Perpetual Calendar, after a whole 200 years of existence. Listen to the story, listen to the tales and prepare for a hell of an episode!  Stephen’s first clock gifted to him by his grandfather when he was 4. Rikki’s Rolex GMT 2 Batman.  Graduation at Pembroke College, Oxford in 1996 with friends – Stephen in the center.  https://www.wostep.ch/en  Stephen’s workshop in Neuchatel.