The Thomas Prescher Nemo Captain
The Captain of the Nautilus, having first seen to the needs of his crew with the Nemo Sailor watch, gets his own timepiece, one which features an appropriately sophisticated mechanism, one which is befitting to his superior rank - the Nemo Captain watch by Thomas Prescher.
Last year's Thomas Prescher Nemo Sailor, the first in a promised trio of timepieces for the crew of the Nautilus, was pristinely plain and magnificent in every way and, it had a simplicity which impressed me greatly given the précis of its maker. With the Nemo Captain, we are presented with something altogether more familiar, one of Mr. Prescher's Triple Axis Tourbillons, which for the first time has the addition of a jumping hour indication.
Naturally such a unique tourbillon demands and deserves dial domination - for it is a compelling panorama, and for this piece a 4mm high sapphire dome has been requisitioned to accommodate and display it.
With such a mechanism, the indication of time becomes nonessential - even the jump hour indication, although its addition must have perplexed its maker somewhat, appears in a diminutive framed window, the temptation to showcase it "Grande-style" having been resisted.
As with the Nemo Sailor, the utmost consideration has been given to the materials used to construct the Nemo Captain. The lugs and porthole-esque front and back bezels enjoy the warmth of red gold and the middle case is made from silvery-white palladium. The name plates, a now synonymous "Steam Punk" inspired feature of this collection are also made from red gold.
Visible through the caseback is the antithesis to the face-on plainness - elaborate engraving, painstakingly handworked which adds theatre in a most artistic way on a backdrop which, if I am not mistaken is representitive of the pyramids of old Egypt - a notable feature of the Time Capsule Project which first seduced enthusiasts and collectors alike in the infancy of the Nemo collection.
Nautica, Industria, Complexity and Creativity - all are present. The contrast of finishes and metals is beautiful, and the design is ingenious. From the allure and supremity of its Tourbillon structure, its surrounding and cleverly conceived emptiness to the splendid valve-shaped crown, the Thomas Prescher Nemo Captain reaffirms the pelagic nature of the collection and its maker's affinity for the sea. The Captain has his timepiece, and it is majestic.
More information and specifications at the Thomas Prescher Official Website.
My review of the Nemo Sailor Watch (the one that almost got away..) here.