Finally managed a few scans of my new Prescher....

I've been meaning to make at least a cursory post on this one for some time, but couldn't quite manage it.

Anyways, the idea behind this one began with my fascination with the Zenith 135 movement. The more I researched this particular movement, the more I longed to find an "orphan" movement which could serve as the base for a new timepiece. Really fell for the history of this movement in time competitions, as well as its slow-beat mechanism and rather large balance wheel, among other things. I was not, however, willing to separate a 135 movement from the timepiece in which it was "born", so it had to be floater if this was going to work.

After a fair bit of searching, a movement without a watch came available and it was on to the next phase. I had a couple of watchmakers in mind, but luckily for me number 1 on that list proved ready, willing and able to work with me after I reached out to him. After a few e-mails back and forth, a telephone conversation and a few more e-mails, we had settled on design, case metal, hands and size.

The process was a large part of the fun, as Thomas and his team kept me in the loop every step of the way. Lots of scans from beginning to end, which only served to build the excitement. The timepiece has been everything I hoped for now that I've had it for a bit.

Enough of my blathering - here are a few scans from along the way and the finished product. This one is hard to photograph, but I thought these came out fairly well.

Hope you enjoy.

Darren

Various in-the-making scans

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The movement

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The movement next to Christian Klings' movement

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The watch at completion

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The final timepiece

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The dials share subtle similarities I think

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With some others

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💰162 Marketplace Listings for Zenith›

Wonderful three!

By: sidneyc : November 14th, 2011-03:15

The Independent trio are amazing! The Prescher is breathtaking! Beautiful dial work! Congratulations Darren! This message has been edited by sidneyc on 2011-11-14 03:15:53

a great looking watch!

By: alex : November 14th, 2011-05:32

Thanks for sharing

By: nickd : November 14th, 2011-06:51

That must be very satisfying. Great looking watch as well. nick

Great movement, Great Project, Great result! Congrats!

By: ArthurSG : November 14th, 2011-07:36

Did Thomas service and help clean up the movement or are you fortuhnate enough to have found the 135 in that condition? Great outcome regardless.. juts curious.

Thomas deconstructed the movement....

By: Darren : November 14th, 2011-07:54

and provided a full service. The movement was in decent shape as shipped to me, but Thomas worked some magic on it. Thanks for the kinds words. Darren

Beautiful!!

By: andrewluff : November 14th, 2011-08:05

Great to see such workmanship and 3 beautiful watches you own. Congratulations Andrew

Tremendious collection,,,

By: DonCorson : November 14th, 2011-11:06

and congrats on the Prescher. Is that the same watch I saw in Basel? Don

Thanks Don. And in response to your question....

By: Darren : November 14th, 2011-11:44

Thomas did indeed have this timepiece with him at Basel, so would I guess this is the one you saw. Darren

Whew!

By: Mostel : November 14th, 2011-11:09

That is some GOOD watchmaking there, sir. Each watch, particularly the Klings and Prescher have a strength and integrity and detail and composition to them that oozes The Handmade. After all is said and done, the Independents are all I really truly want a...

Thanks for the kind works. That particular ...

By: Darren : November 14th, 2011-11:46

Roger Smith haunts my dreams. I can see why you're drawn to it. Hopefully one day you'll have one on your wrist! Darren

looks great!

By: playtime : November 14th, 2011-11:20

really has a timeless quality to it--and makes a wonderful addition to your collection of independents! wear in the best of health! Jason

What a great rebirth for the movement! [nt]

By: aaronm : November 14th, 2011-12:48

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Wow. That's all I can say. [nt]

By: SethRL : November 14th, 2011-13:14

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Congrats Darren!

By: foversta : November 14th, 2011-13:42

I like a lot the way TP used the 135. I saw it at Basel... Enjoy your watch with this iconic movement! Fx

Great vision Darren...

By: pplater : November 14th, 2011-15:34

You are to be congratulated on your patronage of a talented Independent, and maintaining a tradition of re-housing a worthy movement. The resultant watch is a beauty. Cheers, pplater.

Thanks PPlater.

By: Darren : November 15th, 2011-18:55

This movement deserved a new beginning, and I think Thomas did it proud. Darren

Amazing--one of my all time favorite indie jobs

By: expwmbat : November 14th, 2011-18:08

Thanks so much for the post and pictures next to the Klings. TPs chronicle on the Thomas Prescher website is also very impressive. I think the design you and TP produced is sublime--I love it. And the hands are simply to die for. There is such a striking ...

Thanks Daniel.

By: Darren : November 15th, 2011-18:54

I do indeed wear the Prescher quite often. It works quite well as a casual timepiece or for more formal occassions. I enjoy watching the massive balance wheel almost as much as I enjoy reading the time on the front of the watch. Darren

A really nice job...

By: grumio : November 15th, 2011-18:19

and great to see the photos of the 're-birth' of this classic Zenith movement. I like the sobriety and simplicity of the design you've come up with. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Can you tell us any more about the Klings included in your pictures ? Did...

Thanks. Regarding the Klings...

By: Darren : November 15th, 2011-18:53

it too was a commissioned piece. I've had the Klings for close to 2 years now, and never tire of it. You are correct that the movement started as an AS 130 ... another slow beat regulator. I got somewhat lucky on this one, as I reached out to Christian at...

I'm very fond of ...

By: grumio : November 15th, 2011-19:21

the teardrop lugs he uses, and the 'Breguet style' engraved dials and hands. It looks like there's a lot of 'old school' skill that goes into making his watches, which is part of what I find so attractive about them. Thanks for providing some background i...

Independents