Thomas Prescher - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV Geneva Friday, November 5, 2021 | Phillips
  • 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.

Σ195

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

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 20,000 
€9,300-18,600
$10,800-21,600

Sold for CHF30,240

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East Director
AGhotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV

Geneva Auction 5 & 7 November 2021