Thomas Prescher in Twann - PART 1
By: DonCorson (registered) Friday, October 5th, 2007Thomas Prescher in Twann - PART 1
by Don Corson
June 2007
Here in the tiny wine-making village Twann, tucked in between the lake and mountains, Thomas Preschers shop appears to be planted in times gone by. Inside the shop 'though, luminous and modern, Thomas and his young team of watchmakers have apparently found the right equilibrium to produce exceptional watches. The calm of times gone by with the modern impetus to innovate.
After greetings in the shop I am shown right away this Tempus Vivendi American Eagle:
Movement mounted in the case without lunette.
Thomas mounting the clasp on the arm band ...
..the band on the case...
... finished, the watch is ready for delivery.
Here is a case full of different Tempus Vivendi models:
The Tempus Vivendi series are "montre en bras", watches with a retrograde display as was popular in the 18 century. A figure showed the time with its "arms" (bras). These watches all feature cast and hand engraved figures in white or yellow gold indicating the time. Normally in their presentation position, a simple press on the crown causes them to move to show the time. The arm to the right indicates the minutes, the arm to the left the hours. Pressing the crown again moves them back. It is up to the customer to decide in which position he wants to leave the figure. The dials themselves are of many sumptuous materials, from onyx and jade to Chinese lacquer. The motives include a Chinese dragon, a Samurai, Geisha, American eagle and a Russian Eagle along with a Crane, Falcon and Phoenix, . At the top left is the newest model in this series, the Sculptura una with retrograde hours and minutes and a seconds hand in the middle.
Dials in different stages of finishing.
Turning a Tempus Vivendi model over reveals the movement, a festival of engraving and guillochage:
Stephanie, the young woman responsible for assuring the beautiful engraving on each watch, is seen here at work:
Free hand engraving. Note that the School of Fine Arts in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a good half hour drive from Twann, is the only institution world wide that is still offering young people a complete 3 year schooling in this art.
Watchmakers shop
Thomas and Mark checking dimensions on the computer
more to come...
