I am now on the train to Biel/Bienne to meet up with a dear friend. Thomas is one of those rare fellows who suffers no fools in a business rife with questionable folk. Why do I say this, well he has a clear sense of right and wrong and in dealing with collectors, he has on occasion had to say no to unrealistic demands, when many of his contemporaries have buckled and given in. I commend him highly for this, taking the high road over selling out his name or reputation and 20+ years of hard work.
He has created a new style for him; watches that deviate from his previous efforts in terms of case work and dials or lack of dials in the case of the Nemo Captain, the incredible Triple Axis Tourbillon with Jumping Hours window. Quite steam punk in style, there are also elements of the Art Nouveau period that Thomas and I share a love for.
The mighty Nemo Captain Triple Axis Tourbillon Jumping Hour. Photo courtesy of T. Prescher.
This is the second time for me to visit Twann, where Thomas has his atelier. This being the border area between the western French speaking part and the eastern Swiss German speaking part of Switzerland, hence the dual names of Biel/Bienne. Twann lies on a stream that traditionally is the border, quite fun to see person and at times a raging waterfall in the middle of Twann village. Quite an old village, many buildings date from the 1200’s, and it was settled many years prior to that.
Thomas' workshop is located in the bottom of the central building next to the vineyard.
I arrived on the train from Luzern, and Thomas was kindly there to pick me up on the platform. I jumped into his car and headed over to Twann to see the atelier and the the village. He showed me the waterfalls in the center of the old village and we then headed into his den of creativity.
Twann village waterfall
Thomas keeping up with his old neighbors
Similar to what I remember from 2009, when I visited previously, he had added a few things to improve his comfort and ability to create everything himself.
The 5 axis CNC machine, that one has to know how to program in order to use. Not for the faint of heart, this Independent Watchmaking lark takes many skills, not just being able to finely polish tiny pieces of metal!
The lathe of the hand made watch world, the Schaublin 70.
Graining/finishing station
Very fine grit papers for high polishing.
This is the dial printing machine, known affectionately by watchmakers as the Tampon.
He diligently explained each work station and what occurred there, giving me a rare glimpse into the life of an artisan Independent Watchmaker. I say life, because this is life, and not just work. Whilst I stayed with his lovely family overnight, I was exposed to projects at home over dinner and when I awoke the following morning to head into the Basel, Thomas was creating his next remarkable piece on the computer in the living room.
Thomas' watchmaking certificates on the wall of the backroom from 1994
Back in the workshop: Like many of his colleagues, Thomas has completed many rather impressive restoration projects on important collectable and many times of serious horological historical interest. He has a few recorded in pictures on a wall in the back, together with his Master Watchmaker certificate and a couple of fun letters from gracious industry folk. At this level of craftsmanship, the skills Thomas possesses are highly sought after by collectors wishing to restore and maintain important pieces. An original Breguet and an important GP Triple Golden Bridge tourbillon pocket watch were there.
Pics of a rare original GP Triple Golden Bridge Tourbillon pocketwatch.
Rather fascinating to me was the revelation upon opening the safe, of previously unknown early pieces from his time whilst working for others. An elegant flying Tourbillon caliber within a sterling silver Pocketwatch case featuring a perpetual calendar module from IWC. Completed in 1994, it is simply lovely.
Thomas' tourbillon caliber for IWC, completed in 1994
I also had the pleasure of comparing a brand new Nemo Sailor which I subsequently delivered on the Saturday in Basel, with Thomas’ 2yr old piece that has become his daily wearer. The copper bronze case has taken on a patina, which softens the look of the watch and almost gives it a feeling of living.
Love the blued steel hands...
Thomas' original Nemo Sailor on the left, the new watch on the right #6/25
Other fun items to play with, the Mysterieuse Double Axis Tourbillon automatic, that has a partially completed caliber and the prototype watch we’ve seen before. It is a remarkable piece of micro-engineering, with the movement being located inside either case side.
The watch in proto form, seen before...
Partially completed movement.
Other side
Together, viewed for the first time by me!
The creative genius to think up this and then execute it, is rare talent!
Looking for a patron to step up on this amazing piece...
We then closed up shop and Thomas took me for a little drive round the Lake of Biel, through a couple of very old villages.
We arrived at his home to be greeted by his lovely family and proceeded to have a great fun evening and superb home cooked dinner! A traditional cheese fondue with some the requisite Kirschwasser! The following morning came quickly and I dashed off to the opening day of Baselworld for me and the first appointment with another German genius, Marco Lang. Saying a rushed good bye to the Prescher's I made the train to Basel with a couple of minutes to spare!
Again, a huge "Thank You" to Thomas and his wonderful family!