A new dimension of watchmaking
by our French Maison
Boldness of spirit from a French watchmaking brand
A new way to experience time
Maison Alcée is the very first brand to specialise in prestige do-it-yourself watchmaking. Inspired by an innovative vision, she reinvented the watchmaking experience, giving pride of place to artisanal French and Swiss excellence.
As French watchmakers, we’re inviting anyone with an interest to experience the delight of assembling their very own timepiece, including the mechanical movement itself.
“Our aim was to create a movement similar to that used in a wristwatch on a larger scale”
Alcée Montfort, founder Alcée Montfort
As soon as you open your presentation box, all 233 components of the movement and the externals are revealed, inviting you to take a deep dive into the history of watchmaking. The book included in the set provides step-by-step guidance as you assemble your desk watch clock.
To bring this world-first experience to life, Alcée surrounded herself with a team of experts, including Thierry Ducret — one of the rare holders of the prestigious ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ title in watchmaking — as well as master horology teachers and a Swiss designer specialised in fine watchmaking.
It’s an experience that involves so much more than simply owning a timepiece: it represents your commitment, your passion, and your own sense of accomplishment.
Our French brand is devoted to bringing you a new, more intimate and compelling way of interacting with the art of watchmaking and with time itself, engaging all your senses.
The heart of our brand’s watchmaking ethos
We love it when a plan comes together…
We set out to enable anyone with an interest to take a deep dive into the history of watchmaking, stepping out of the flow of time as they savour the experience of assembling their own desk watch clock.
To bring this ambitious project to life, we’ve marshalled the help of experts specialising in watchmaking. From a technology cluster in Morteau to the expertise of a Meilleur Ouvrier de France Best Craftsman in watchmaking via the skills of a Swiss designer, Alcée enlisted all the top-level support she needed to bring the desk watch clock she had in her mind’s eye to life.
After several years’ worth of R&D encompassing everything from the basic idea to the technical drawings, it was a real pleasure for our firm to see the first prototype take shape!
Jura: the cradle of both Swiss and French watchmaking
Where our watchmaking components come from
Watchmaking excellence is deeply embedded in historic cities such as Geneva and La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland and Besançon in France; our French watchmaking brand is grounded in that same tradition.
From the movement to the dial, every single component of your desk watch clock pays tribute to this heritage, reflecting both Swiss and French expertise in the art of watchmaking.
“Our materials are painstakingly selected; our components embody the very best in French and Swiss watchmaking; that’s rarely the case for this type of timepiece. Everything is designed in-house at Maison Alcée, with the important things in life uppermost in our minds – not least creating worthwhile jobs and doing them properly.”
The exacting standards of French and Swiss watchmaking
Component manufacturing stages
As a French watchmaking Maison, we set exceptionally high standards for every stage of the manufacturing process, from the selection of materials through to the assembly of each component.
Every step is a reflection of artisanal watchmaking excellence, backed by some thirty local manufacturing partners, around 90% of whom are located in the Jura Arc straddling France and Switzerland. All the components in your desk watch clock are crafted with the highest degree of expertise, in accordance with the finest traditions of French and Swiss watchmaking.
A one-of-a-kind watchmaking experience
The craftsmanship behind our Maison
Let us guide you through a unique watchmaking experience as you assemble your very own timepiece. Our carefully delivered solid wood presentation box contains the 233 components of the movement and externals, all the tools required, and a magnificent book: the apprentice watchmaker’s constant companion as they assemble their own desk watch clock – including the movement itself.
“Behind each and every watch component there is French and Swiss watchmaking expertise and excellence – and all the history of the mountainous Jura region straddling the two countries.”
We’re proud to be contributing to the current revival in the local mechanical watchmaking industry, indomitably holding out at a time when quartz watches seem to have the lion’s share of the market. Here at Maison Alcée, we know that the strength of artisanal watchmaking crafts resides in their creative innovation and authenticity.
Heritage is alive and well in these borderlands where artisanry is still highly qualified – and that’s where our French watchmaking brand has put down its roots.
“All the parts are made in the French and Swiss Jura mountain regions by 38 different manufacturing partners”
“The project is a family undertaking put together with her spouse along with master watchmaker Thierry Ducret and Swiss designer Antoine Tschumi.”
“Watchmaking is the stuff of dreams not only because of its ability to mark out time with extreme accuracy, but also because of the arresting beauty of watch mechanisms.”
“A point of pride for Maison Alcée is its hyper-local supply chain: More than 90% of the components are form the Jura region straddling France and Switzerland, the cradle of Swiss watchmaking.”
“Each kit’s wooden presentation box includes 233 components — all handmade, mostly in the Jura, a Franco-Swiss watchmaking region about five hours south of Paris”
“Maison Alcée: a quintessentially French approach to fine watchmaking.”
“Alcée Montfort has enlisted the help of a ‘Best Craftsman in France’ watchmaker and horology teachers who add an educational dimension.”
“At the heart of the project is the DIY assembly of a desk watch clock – including the movement. The France-based brand in question is Maison Alcée, newly created by a young woman with a passion for watchmaking.”
Rather than go down the well-worn path of mass production, our French watchmaking brand has taken a road less travelled, involving painstaking techniques and taking plenty of time to craft watch components; every detail from the movement to the dial adds its own singular touch to your desk watch clock.
Our French brand honours watchmaking, inviting you to enjoy all the beauty of time – and of the timepiece you make.
Common questions
How does Maison Alcée reinvent the watchmaking experience?
Maison Alcée reimagines the watchmaking experience by inviting you to assemble your own desk clock from 233 components, including its mechanical movement. Everything you need is provided in a solid wood presentation box, from the individual components and watchmaking tools to a detailed guidebook that accompanies you throughout the assembly. This hands-on approach offers a direct introduction to mechanical watchmaking, allowing you to understand how the movement works and the expertise behind its construction while creating a timepiece of your own.
Where are the compétents of the Maison Alcée watchmaking kit made?
More than 90% of the 233 components are sourced from the Jura Arc, the historic watchmaking region spanning France and Switzerland. Maison Alcée works with around thirty manufacturing partners in the region, bringing together specialist expertise across the different components of the timepiece.
The kit includes the complete mechanical movement and external elements, as well as the watchmaking tools and detailed guidebook required for assembly. By assembling the movement yourself, you gain a direct understanding of the craftsmanship and precision involved in mechanical watchmaking.
What can you learn by assembling a Maison Alcée timepiece?
By assembling a Maison Alcée desk clock, you immerse yourself in the history of mechanical watchmaking by building a complete movement from 233 components. You gain a practical understanding of how a watch movement works, discover the craftsmanship behind every part – from the mainspring to the balance wheel – and develop a direct appreciation for the precision required in this craft. The experience guides you step by step through a detailed book included, turning the assembly into a true initiation into the art of watchmaking while creating your own timepiece.
Can you assemble the mechanical movement yourself with Maison Alcée?
Yes, Maison Alcée invites you to assemble the entire mechanical movement of your mantel clock yourself. Developed exclusively by and for Maison Alcée over three years, the movement was designed to make the art of watchmaking accessible to everyone, even those with no prior experience.
The solid wood box contains all the movement and external components, along with the necessary watchmaking tools and a detailed book guiding you step by step. It is a unique experience that immerses you in the history of watchmaking while allowing you to craft your own timepiece.
