Manufacturer: Thomas Prescher Year: 2014 Model Name: Tempus Vivendi - Dragon Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, ETA 2824-A2 Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel TP pin buckle Dimensions: 43mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Extract from the Archives confirming production in 2014 and service papers dated August 2019. 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
Based in the picturesque Swiss village of Ipsach, Thomas Prescher eschewed a career in the navy to set up his workshops in 2002 concentrating on creating bespoke timepieces for his discerning clientele.
The present Tempus Vivendi is a unique piece and features an onyx dial and a hand engraved dragon in white gold. It 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 dragon’s “arms” indicate hours and minutes on two semi-circular engraved plates in pink gold placed on either side; the left plate 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.
According to Thomas Prescher, the watch was a special order and is the only steel Tempus Vivendi model he has ever made, adding extra appeal to an already very attractive and unusual timepiece.
Beyond the technical interest and astounding aesthetic impact, the present watch offers an additional layer of appeal: should the buyer decide to sell the timepiece in the 6 months following the sale, the manufacturer has kindly agreed to offer her/him a VIP experience, which includes the possibility of acquiring a new timepiece without having to join a waiting list, and the valuation and purchase by Prescher of the present piece at near retail price if the new wristwatch has a retail price of CHF 80’000 or above.