Thomas Prescher in Twann - PART 2
By: DonCorson (registered) Saturday, October 6th, 2007Thomas Prescher in Twann - PART 2
by Don Corson
June 2007
I am sure that when you hear the name Thomas Prescher your thoughts, like mine, turn immediately to his very limited series of tourbillon watches, the Trilogy. Safely out of reach in the safe, Thomas takes them out and models them for me:
The new Single Axis Tourbillon in rose gold
in 
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Note the quality of the hand stitched armband.
Double axis tourbillon
Triple axis tourbillon
Well that is at least the barrel bridge during engraving!
Here the finished watch:
It is hard to imagine that these watches have not only a supporting member holding the balance/escapement, but also a turning member through which the energy to make it work flows and which at the same time passes the time counting information back to the rest of the movement. Where is it? The balance seems to simply float and turn free in the air.
The triple axis tourbillon complicates this even further as the tourbillons third axis turns once an hour, the supporting arm always taking on the same position as the minute hand on the dial. This means that the entire tourbillon mechanism is coupled out of the energy path from barrel to balance when the crown is pulled to set the time. It is then free to turn while setting. When time setting is completed the crown is pushed in and the tourbillon is coupled back in in its new position. It then receives energy again from the barrel and starts to tick once more. An amazing achievement and an incredibly complicated mechanism just for this simple function.
Here is the whole family together:
Thomas Preschers watches have much to offer. From the beautiful dials and fine art of engraving to pure hardcore mechanical wizardry.
I would like to thank Thomas for his gracious welcome for this visit in his shop and hope you have enjoyed this little trip to the idyllic village of Twann on Lake Biel to as much as I have.
Don
