Preston tuners or
machines (also known as
peacock,
fan, or
watchkey tuners) is a type of
machine head tuning system for string instruments, named for English
cittern (
English guitar) maker
John Preston and developed in the 18th century. Preston claimed to be the inventor of this design, though scholars note the originator could be the
luthier John Frederick Hintz, who advertised such a mechanism as early as 1766. The tuning mechanism was also used on the German cittern known as the
waldzither, and is associated with the early 20th century instruments built by C. H. Böhm.