Where does one start with Thomas Prescher and his art form...perhaps the mighty Triple Axis Tourbillon, shown in Basel 2004 for the first time, as the anchor piece of the Trilogy. For me though, it was the previous year, when I was walking past his stand in the AHCI, where he was exhibiting as a Candidate, and his double axis pocketwatch grabbed my attention.
The pocketwatch with Double Axis Tourbillon escapement, image courtesy of T. Prescher:
I had never seen anything like it, yes tourbillons for sure, but this was prior to the likes of Greubel-Forsey and the other talented watchmakers, experimenting with multiple axis tourbillons. Thomas was happy to show his work to me, and I remember snapping a quick photo, thanking him and the dashing off to my next appointment. What a difference 5 years makes...his stand this year had in addition to the Single, Double & Triple Axis Tourbillons, many of the amazingly artistic Tempus Vivendi watches, together with several Sculture Una pieces. The Tempus Vivendi have a "bras en l'air" design element to them, a double retro-grade, hour & minute hands, that are limbs or elements of well known sculptural designs from around the world. The motifs are hand engraved by a real gem of a find, a young lady who works with Thomas in Twann. She was actually installed with her travelling bench at the AHCI stand this year, demonstrating some of her superb engraving skills. Only in her mid 20's she is sure to become one of the world class hand engravers. On a side note this is a rare skill and one that will be in demand for years to come, so anyone reading this wanting an almost guaranteed job for life, and willing to train and have enormous patience, really good hand engravers are in short supply!
Thomas's background like so many of his colleagues, is one of working for several of the large more corporate watchmaking houses, and having that urge to create something of his own, he took the path less travelled. Being a man who knows what he wants, he took charge of his destiny and after receiving 3 "No's" from other big companies, decided to build his design of the Triple Axis Tourbillon wristwatch with Constant Force. It was a big risk and one that has certainly put him on the map. Several executions have been made, mainly dial variations, a Regulator version being the latest.
Here is the original flying Triple Axis tourbillon in platinum, image courtesy of T. Prescher:
One story I love about this extra-ordinary watch, is regarding the Titanium polished tube that rotates with the Tourbillon cage, on the standard version. When Thomas went to ask several of his specialist suppliers if they could make this particular piece, all of them responded "No, sorry it cannot be done" Well, this only spurred him on, a challenge to Thomas. He figured it out himself, and when he was next talking with one of these specialists, they asked him if he had ever found anyone to help him? His answer was yes, i figured it out myself. "Well done" this fellow said, "how do you do it?" "Not telling" said Thomas!!!
I thought I'd add this little video I captured of a 18k RG flying Triple Axis Tourbillon with a regulator dial set up using the 3rd axis as the minute indicator, in motion:
Here is the Triple Axis Tourbillon from the back, image courtesy of T. Prescher:
They are quite something in the flesh. Now to the newest creation to emanate from Twann. The QP1, shown for the first time publically at Basel 2009, a well designed perpetual calendar, that uses the central axis to display the calendar with a small window at 6 o'clock for the leap year indicator. This is quite tricky to realise and makes for a clean, uncluttered perpetual calendar. Thomas had a prototype in YG with a lovely grey/silver dial; always cautious of having inferior images, I was provided with a disk of images for public distribution. I understand his viewpoint, but think that collectors still do like to see a little more raw images in the field. His other point is that being a prototype, the finishing isn't up to par, and he hates anyone to get a poor impression of his work! I can appreciate that viewpoint. The blued steel skeletal hands are quite dramatic and work well within the design. Bold applied gold roman numeral are a big plus for me too.
Here it is, image courtesy of T. Prescher:
and it's backside, with the new logo on the rotor, check out that hand engraved movement...image courtesy of T. Prescher:
The workshop in Twann has produced and will continue to produce watches of extra-ordinary quality, serious horological value and designs that resonate well with collectors of the unusual. Thomas' background also includes restoration of some old very important historical pieces. When he visited me in December, he showed me pictures and explained all about an original Breguet pocket watch that he was entrusted with, by a collector of important horological watches. That was a great treat for me. These are the types of pieces only seen in public at museums! Rarely can one see, in detail, some of the parts that are hidden by plates, bridges or dials. Thomas' impression of the quality was second to none, and knowing the access to the tools of the times, he is astounded by the quality and precision achieved.
Thomas Prescher's timepieces are horological art, and although not for everyone in terms of design styling, mechanically get a huge nod of approval from me. I will say this too, having had the enormous pleasure of staying with Thomas and his lovely family for a couple of days during the Basel fair, the sincerity, focus and passion he has for watchmaking is infectious. This is a man on a mission that I support.