Home » Baselworld - World Watch and Jewellery Show » Baselworld 2012 Preview – Thomas Prescher Nemo Sailor, the First Watch from the New Series Allows its Buyer to Choose the Movement
Highly anticipated Baselworld 2012 Watch and Jewellery Show will be the place to have the first glimpse of the brand new collection by Thomas Prescher Haute Horlogerie. The Swiss-based timepiece company founded by expert watchmaker Thomas Prescher, who is famous for his innovative and intricate timepieces, especially the ones with tourbillon complications (as is triple axis tourbillon), will be presenting the premier watch dubbed Sailor from the new Nemo collection. The timepiece which was inspired by steampunk and works of Jules Verne features a minimalistic design and overall nautical style. As it is usual for the pieces by the company, it is hand-made and its future owners will be able to get personalized details and even to choose the movement of preference.
Who is Thomas Prescher?
Thomas Prescher, sometimes called the “Master of tourbillons” for his amazing craftsmanship, is the man behind and at the head of this company. After completion of the stint in the German navy, Prescher decided to dedicate himself completely to his true passion – watchmaking. Extensive preparation and learning enabled him to be accepted for the single yearly position of an apprentice in IWC and to finish it one year earlier than it is usual.

Thomas Prescher
His career in the watchmaking industry was in Audemars Piguet, after which he worked Lucerne-based Gübelin and perfected his skills in restoring and creation of complex timepieces. In 2002, Prescher founded his own brand in Twann in Switzerland. Since he developed a passion for extremely intricate watches, it is not surprising that his first products with the designation Tempusvivendi came from the bras en l’air genre. These watches are made with double retrograde complication which includes a dial that in most cases depicts a human or an animal figure. The depicted scene is still until the mechanism is activated by the push of the button. Once the wearer does this, the figure’s extremities move into appropriate position to indicate the time, and after the release of the push-button, the figure goes back to the original state.
The next landmarks in the watchmaker’s career came in 2003 when his brand released double-axis tourbillon watches at Baselworld show. In the same year, Prescher was granted a membership in the prestigious Académie Horlogerie des Créateurs Indépendents (Horological Academy of Independent Creators – AHCI). At the next edition of the most significant event in the world of watchmaking that occurs each year in Basel, Prescher’s firm unveiled Tourbillon trilogy set that was comprised of single, double and triple axis tourbillons with constant force. When talking about the feats of Preschner’s company, one also has to mention another exceptional quality. This company always allows the clients to be involved in the process of making the watch and to opt for different finishes and customized details.
Nemo Sailor Timepiece
The first watch from the Nemo collection is also the timepiece that allows the buyer’s input in the creation. Clearly inspired by the nautical theme (which is quite clear from the choice of the name), this timepiece has a dial that resembles a porthole of a ship. The circular housing of the product (with the diameter of 44 mm and thickness of 12 mm) is made by combining the components made of copper, bronze (at the front and back) and steel (in the middle) which will enable it to develop patina over time and to have even more distinguished look.
It is very important to underline that the case, its dial and the stylish blued hands are completely made in the company’s workshops and decorated with exceptional hand-finishes. The silver-colored dial with the circular-grained decoration includes very subdued design and has only hour and minute hands, the brand’s name and the model’s number, as well as a date aperture at the three o’clock position.
Choose the Movement of the Customized Product
The basic version of Thomas Prescher Nemo Sailor watch is running on the mechanical self-winding movement ETA 2824 with 25 jewels. The caliber is hand-finished and supplied with supreme rotor. However, this is not the only option. As we previously explained, the future owner of the watch will be able to choose a movement of his or hers preference for Nemo Sailor timepiece. Besides, it is possible to choose among different types of straps.
This watch will be constructed in the limited edition of just 25 pieces. Each of the models is numbered which is clearly visible on the dial. Sailor is the premiere model from the collection. As it is announced, there will be two more models in the Nemo series. It is very likely that these models will include more complications, as it usual for the masterpieces by the independent watchmaker Thomas Prescher.