Manufacturer: Thomas Prescher Year: 2005 Case No: 0116 Model Name: Tempus Vivendi - Russian Eagle Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, ETA 2824-A2, 25 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Thomas Prescher pin buckle Dimensions: 43mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by an unsigned wooden box, Manual and Warranty and replacement value letter from Thomas Prescher. Literature: Thomas Prescher and his works are featured in Twelve faces of Time, Horological Virtuosos by Elisabeth Doerr and Ralf Baumgarten pp. 154-169.
Catalogue Essay
Thomas Prescher’s background is an unusual one as he started his career as a naval officer before becoming a watchmaker in Switzerland honing his skill at IWC, Audemars Piguet, Blancpain and Gübelin. In 2002 he decided to set up his own workshops in the picturesque Swiss village of Ipsach, to create bespoke timepieces for a discerning clientele.
The present Tempus Vivendi features a silver guilloché dial and a hand engraved “Russian Eagle” in gold with black nickel plating. The “Russian Eagle” is the official coat of arms of the Russian Federation and inspired by the coat of arms of the Russian Empire. It represents a two headed eagle, the imperial crowns on each head standing for the unity and sovereignty of Russia, both as a whole and in its constituent republics and regions. The orb and scepter grasped in the eagle's talons are traditional heraldic symbols of sovereign power and authority.
The Tempus Vivendi collection is inspired by the ‘bras en l’air’ pocket watches from the Roaring Twenties and playfully transformed in a wristwatch. In the present timepiece, the eagle’s wings indicate hours and minutes on two semi-circular sections on either side; the left for hours and the right one for the minutes. The pushpiece with the crown makes the hands spring to the zero position and remain there until the button is pushed again whereby the hands will indicate the correct time.
The automatic movement is also beautifully hand engraved.
A whimsical and surprising yellow gold "bras en l'air" double retrograde wristwatch, on-demand time indication, hand engraved eagle automaton, guarantee and box
2005 43mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
