Thomas Prescher Custom Dial Transformation

WPS member · Independents forum

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Darren shares his unique experience of collaborating directly with independent watchmaker Thomas Prescher to reimagine the dial of his custom timepiece. This post highlights the unparalleled personalization possible with independent watchmakers and invites the community to weigh in on the aesthetic transformation.

As many of you know, I truly adore my custom Thomas Prescher timepiece and wear it quite often. As a quick reminder, here are scans of the front and back:

A year or so ago, while in the midst of wearing this watch for a week or so, I started to envision an alternative dial which I thought would work well with the case and movement. I sent a feeler e-mail to Thomas to see what may or may not be possible, and within days we were exchanging ideas and thoughts. The beauty of working with a watchmaker such as Thomas Prescher is that you can go right to the source with questions and ideas, silly as those ideas may be! Thomas is truly a gentleman, and is open to anything and everything when it comes to his timepieces.

Shortly thereafter I sent my watch back to Thomas and he got to work on the new vision.

The updates looked promising.

This morning I was thrilled to accept the return of my Thomas Prescher timepiece, with an altered front side.

This main dial plate is a bit darker on this one - more of a blackish hue as compared to the gray hue on the original version. I was also pleased to see that Thomas created a custom dial holder for my original dial, so when the mood strikes, I can return to version 1.0.

So, which dial do you prefer?

Darren

Key Points from the Discussion

The new dial, featuring Arabic numerals and a darker hue, is praised for its starker, more modern aesthetic, opening up the dial space and emphasizing the design over individual markers.
The original dial with Roman numerals is appreciated for its classical appeal, where the numerals merge seamlessly, allowing for a smoother appreciation of the overall dial lines.
The ability to alternate between two distinct dials on the same watch is a highly valued feature, offering versatility and extending the enjoyment of the timepiece.
The Arabic dial is seen as more whimsical and modern, while the Roman dial provides a contrast between industrial finishing and classical indexing.
The gold numerals on the original dial are noted for their perfect match with the gold movement, creating a cohesive and luxurious aesthetic.
The craftsmanship of Thomas Prescher, particularly in making and finishing the numerals, is highlighted as a significant factor in the appeal of the new dial.

The Discussion

social

Dec 2, 2013

....your custom made piece is so beautiful!

dedestexhes

Dec 2, 2013

It looks somehow more coherent, balanced to me. But the new dial is still beautiful! Enjoy! Dirk

amanico

Dec 2, 2013

Lighter, ore sober and clean. Really superb, my friend. WOW! Best, Nicolas

secretlife

Dec 2, 2013

There is no loser here! Congratulations on a gorgeous piece!!

andrewluff

Dec 3, 2013

personally my preference is for the old version, but would be happy with either! Congrats! Andrew

Ancienne Le Brassus

Dec 3, 2013

Beacuse BOTH dials are spectacular!! Wow, really amazing dial, it would be nice to have the two watches with these diff. dials so you can just alternate one each day :) I like both quite a lot, thanks for sharing this and congrats!!

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