excellence guided by watchmaking experts
HORoLOGical excellence
At Maison Alcée, our pride lies at the very heart of our team of experts. Every horological creation is born from exceptional craftsmanship and unwavering passion.
Each watchmaking expert — guardian of artisanal precision and the intricate secrets of mechanical movements — ensures that every timepiece leaving our Maison becomes a singular work of art.
Maison Alcée is a harmonious symphony of diverse and talented souls—where visionary designers paint timeless dreams, inspired creators draw from the essence of emotion, and devoted master artisans weave the threads of excellence. Each watchmaking expert shapes the very essence of innovation and refinement that breathe life into the Maison.
The soul of the maison
Alcée Montfort, founder
After gaining valuable experience at prestigious Maisons such as Hermès, Cartier, and TAG Heuer, Alcée was driven by a passion to share her love for exceptional craftsmanship. She finds fulfillment through hands-on creation. This passion takes shape in the design of artisanal works, a process that allows her to reconnect with childhood dreams and feel profound satisfaction in witnessing a meticulously crafted object come to life. This is how Maison Alcée was born.
Alcée’s role is to bring together a team with unparalleled expertise, leveraging the unique skills of each watchmaking expert. This has made possible a singular experience to be cherished and shared with your loved ones.
If you follow her on LinkedIn, you will discover her love for the piano — her personal outlet. Horology, entrepreneurship, and fine craftsmanship naturally take center stage in her conversations! Alcée’s deep desire is to offer you an unprecedented horological experience, where luxury watchmaking craftsmanship comes alive in your hands. For her, passing on this heritage is a guiding mission — a way to perpetuate an exceptional expertise.
The EXPERT in watch
mechanics
Benoît Montfort, founder
Benoît has a keen eye for all things related to fine mechanics and vintage car bodies. In fact, he once arrived in a 2CV on his first day as an engineer at an automotive company.
Although not a watchmaking expert in the strict sense, Benoît stands out for his exceptional mechanical skills. He channels his energy into giving new life to every object he encounters—from repairing his Mac to restoring his vintage Peugeot tandem.
Benoît oversees the creation of the Persée desk watch clock, enabling you to take pride in building your own horological piece. As our conductor, he masterfully coordinates our network of about thirty manufacturing partners and our team of watchmaking experts.
The watchmaking EXPERT dedicated to the experience
Thierry Ducret, best Craftsman of France
“It’s quite surprising how I got into watchmaking as a child; my grandfather, a watchmaker, ran a workshop in Belleville-sur-Saône. Despite my interest in his craft, grandchildren were never allowed inside his workspace. It was only after his passing that I was able to enter—and at that moment, there was no doubt: I wanted to become a watchmaking expert!
After several decades of experience, my passion remains as strong as ever. Horology is one of the rare crafts where you spend hours, even days, working on components that, at first inert, eventually come to life as a watch or a desk watch clock. It’s always moving to see all these pieces take shape into a timepiece.
Though I studied at the Morteau high school in the 1980s, it was only about fifteen years later that I returned—this time on the other side of the workbench—to pass on watchmaking knowledge and expertise. Once again, it’s a joy to see how motivated the young watchmakers are!”
Beyond being a renowned watchmaking expert, Thierry is also a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman of France) in horology—a true mission of horological excellence and transmission.
“There are two things I often tell my students:
Horology is so absorbing that you never check the time.
In watchmaking, we gain time by taking our time.”
The watchmaking pioneer
Antoine Tschumi, swiss Designer
Antoine is a natural creative, passionate about designing desirable products that resonate with the soul of a brand. He finds wonder both in the raw texture of impressionist paintings and in the delicacy of a sculpture.
As an expert in watch design, he has breathed new life into a product often seen as outdated—the desk watch clock. A nod to the traditional hourglass, whether positioned vertically or horizontally for a more modern take, Persée will hold a special place in your interior.
Its visible movement, which can be admired, symbolizes mastery over time and showcases the technical prowess of Antoine’s watchmaking expertise… His design has become your Persée!
The watchmaking expert,
builder of time
Jean-Marie Desgrange, professor of horology
“My first passion is playing jazz piano in a band. Quite analytical, I must admit, I have always been interested in mechanical sciences and technologies, as well as astronomy. As a child, I loved creating and inventing, and I remain eager for knowledge. I also enjoy renovating and repairing to bring obsolete objects back to life. For all these reasons, I focused my studies on microtechnology and robotics, and I began working in research and development.
I seized several opportunities that shaped my career, moving toward teaching micro-mechanical construction and then watchmaking. Fascinated by what is new and beyond my reach, I quickly fell in love with horology. Naturally, I passed this passion on to my son.”
What a wellspring of knowledge! From computer-aided movement design to sharing horological history through the book, Jean-Marie, a watchmaking expert, has wholeheartedly shared his passion with you. With his expertise as an instructor and deep understanding of students’ challenges, he is part of our team contributing to the development of the Maison Alcée watch movement—designed to be assembled by enthusiasts new to watchmaking.
A singular watchmaking expertise
The craftsmanship of the Maison
Maison Alcée redefines luxury watchmaking by blending heritage with hands-on creation. Under the guidance of Masters of horology like Thierry Ducret, your desk clock will becomes a personal legacy — far beyond mere ownership. Begin your journey, and let expertise and passion shape a treasure that transcends trends and echoes your unique story for generations.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a watch enthusiast, or simply searching for an exceptional timpiece, Maison Alcée invites you to explore the world of fine horology. Guided by watchmaking experts, you will discover how a desk watch clock can embody the spirit of luxury watches — blending timeless design, mechanical precision, and personal craftsmanship.
