Nomadic Watches introduces its first chronograph, the Céad 126, a significant point in the development of the independent watchmaker, which is based in Belfast. “Céad” means “first” in Irish and is an appropriate name for the company’s first-ever chronograph. The Céad 126 honors Irish motorsport by reference to the numbers 126 and 26 – Glenn Irwin broke the 125 mph barrier and completed his first North West 200 lap at that speed; Joey Dunlop has 26 Isle of Man TT victories and represents two generations of Irish racing heritage.
The 40mm case is constructed using 316L stainless steel, and features anti-reflective sapphire crystal covering the dial. Swiss Grade A BGW9 Super-LumiNova is used to fill the hands and markers on the dial. Water resistance reaches 100m via sealed architecture, providing an environment where the Sellita SW500-M-a manual wind movement can function properly. This movement provides 58 hours of power reserve, and must be wound every day to continue operating the chronograph and day-date complications.
Three different dial options are available for purchase from Nomadic: Emerald Abyss, Navigator White and Pitch Black. All three dials have one feature in common, however – a hidden detail on the tachymeter scale indicating 88 mph (the reference being to the time-traveling DeLorean from Back to the Future) instead of the more common 90 mph marker. The inclusion of this Easter egg gives the motorsport-focused chronograph a playful element.
The launch of the Céad 126 was held at the Ulster Transport Museum with host Stephen Watson from BBC Sport welcoming over 120 guests who were comprised of racers, collectors and enthusiasts. Guests were given a private museum tour and had the opportunity to experience a VR simulation that recreated Glenn Irwin’s record-setting speeds. Nomadic ambassador Glenn Irwin also attended the event to provide direct connection between the watch and what it celebrates.
In addition to being a motorsport-inspired chronograph, the Céad 126 also serves as a functional tool, thanks to its ability to be manually wound and utilize pushers located adjacent to the crown to operate the chronograph functions. The inclusion of the day and date complications further enhances the functionality of the watch. While the 40mm diameter of the Céad 126 makes it wearable on a regular basis, the mechanical complexity of the chronograph is still contained within the case.
Nomadic prices the Céad 126 at around $3,260, taking into consideration the cost of the Swiss-made Sellita movement, the limited production quantities, and the provenance of the watch. The Céad 126 will be sold exclusively through the Nomadic website and authorized retailers to collectors who are interested in the Irish motorsport heritage combined with the Swiss chronograph mechanics.
