FAQ

Who are we? How does Maison Alcée stand out from other watchmaking Maisons?

Maison Alcée is the very first high-end watchmaking Maison dedicated to do-it-yourself craftsmanship. The Maison takes on the ambitious challenge of redefining the watchmaking experience by emphasizing exceptional craftsmanship.

A unique concept: allowing everyone to assemble their own timepiece with their own hands, including the mechanical movement; an experience that awakens childhood memories. Alcée has partnered with some of the finest experts, including one of the rare Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsmen of France) in watchmaking, Thierry Ducret, watchmaking professor Jean-Marie Desgranges, and Swiss designer Antoine Tschumi.

Maison Alcée’s ambition is to pay tribute to the art of watchmaking by allowing you to step into the shoes of a craftsman, awakening the joy of creation, and grasping its true meaning.

“We have an outstanding heritage – and a duty to pass it on. From then on, my goal was a clear albeit ambitious one: enabling anyone with an interest to discover all the beauty of watch and clock-making expertise by assembling their own table clock in the comfort of their own home.” Alcée

How is the Maison Alcée experience personalized?

As soon as you receive your case, you’ll be invited to join an exclusive exchange group between our watchmaking team and you. We will grant you access to a private WhatsApp group specially created to answer any questions you may have and guide you throughout the assembly process.
In our pursuit of a comprehensive and tailored support, our Maison is committed to offering you a space where you can ask your questions and receive attentive and caring guidance.

Your success and satisfaction are at the heart of our priorities. We do everything we can to provide you with exceptional support.

What are the values of Maison Alcée?

At the heart of our watchmaking Maison lie core values we deeply cherish: transmission, a sense of personal achievement, and emotion.

The transmission
The Maison Alcée experience guides curious minds through the discovery of watchmaking expertise. The book that accompanies the aspiring horologist was written in collaboration with horological professors and museums to pass down the history and science of horology. The hands-on experience fosters deeper learning, as intellectual reflection and manual work complement each other.

All the necessary materials – the components and tools required for assembling the timepiece – are provided to enable the aspiring clockmaker to build their own one-of-a-kind creation, worthy of becoming a treasured heirloom passed down through generations.

The act of assembling becomes a symbol of family history, a moment shared with pride and affection, creating memories that last a lifetime.

The sense of personal achievement
Maison Alcée ensures successful completion for the enthusiast through its meticulously crafted guidebook, optional video tutorials, and a private discussion group where every question is answered. The experience, while uniquely rewarding, also presents a personal challenge, requiring one to set aside time – a few dedicated hours to fully immerse oneself.

By assembling their own timepiece, enthusiasts gain a deep sense of fulfillment, a satisfaction that goes beyond mere ownership of the object.

“To enable you to experience the pride of creating your own timepiece” – this is Maison Alcée’s deepest desire.

The emotion
Whether through the quality of the finishes or the meticulous attention to every detail, Maison Alcée is committed to offering exceptional timepieces that inspire admiration. For Maison Alcée, beauty is not only found in the finished object; it also reveals itself through a sensory experience that evokes wonder.

Where are the watchmaking components manufactured?

Over 90% of the component manufacturing takes place in the Franco-Swiss Jura region, which is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

What does the Maison Alcée watchmaking experience involve?

By opening this finely crafted solid wood case, its owner is instantly connected to the promise of Maison Alcée: awakening to the joy of creation, experiencing the watchmaker’s craft firsthand, and understanding its true meaning.

Maison Alcée offers you the opportunity to experience a unique horological journey by assembling your own timepiece, including the mechanical movement. You will receive a solid wood box containing 233 components, 169 of which you will assemble yourself, along with 17 watchmaking tools. You will also find a beautiful 150-page book filled with treasures of details and stories, meticulously crafted to guide you through every step of the assembly.
From the comfort of your home, let yourself be guided over ten immersive hours to bring your timepiece to life.

Upon receiving your case, you will be invited to join an exclusive exchange group with our watchmaking team. You will then have access to a private WhatsApp group, where we will be available and ready to kindly answer all your questions.

Whether an expert collector, a passionate enthusiast, or an eager novice, each creator becomes, for a moment, the guardian of age-old craftsmanship, experiencing the pride of bringing something to life with their own hands.

Is the mechanical movement manufactured in-house?

Yes, the mechanical movement was designed exclusively for Maison Alcée by a team of expert watchmakers. Manufactured in the heart of the Franco-Swiss Jura Arc, a UNESCO World Heritage site, it has been specially developed to come to life in the hands of all fine watchmaking enthusiasts, including those with no prior experience.

How does Maison Alcée ensure a successful assembly?

Upon receiving your case, you will be invited to join a private exchange group between you and our watchmaking team. This allows us to guide you throughout the entire assembly process and answer any questions you may have. The watchmaking book, included in your watchmaking set and complemented by video tutorials, will guide you step by step through the assembly of your timepiece.

Watchmaking professors have brought a strong educational dimension to our watchmaking kits. Their expertise, enriched by their experience with the challenges faced by their students, has allowed us to refine our movement and overcome certain technical aspects of the assembly. This experience has been designed as both a practical and theoretical learning journey, ensuring that enthusiasts – even with no prior watchmaking experience – can successfully assemble their timepiece with confidence.

Every detail has been carefully considered to provide you with a complete and fulfilling watchmaking experience.

Does assembling the timepiece require being particularly meticulous?

The desk clock you will assemble features a movement similar to that of a wristwatch, but with dimensions of 10 x 16 cm. This allows you to explore the mechanics of a watch while reducing the level of precision required compared to a smaller wristwatch movement. 
The assembly offers a fully immersive experience, requiring only a moment of focus and calm, making it a truly timeless experience.

Are there any video tutorials available to complement the book?

Maison Alcée provides video tutorials to assist you in assembling your timepiece. Each section of the book is paired with QR codes that you can scan to instantly access the visual content.
These videos serve as a valuable complement to the book, offering a visual perspective and practical demonstrations to support you throughout the assembly process. Whether you prefer following step-by-step video instructions, written guidance, or both, Maison Alcée ensures a successful assembly experience.

How long does the assembly take?

The assembly time depends on your manual dexterity. Enthusiasts with confident hands usually complete it in about 5 hours, while others may take around 10 hours to fully enjoy the experience.

Is it possible to share the watchmaking experience with a loved one?

The Maison Alcée experience creates lasting memories, whether undertaken solo or with a partner – perhaps between parent and child. This shared moment allows participants to come together around a singular experience where each person brings their unique touch and sensitivity.

One enthusiast had the pleasure of sharing this experience with his 8-year-old child, who enjoys hands-on activities such LEGO. Together, they assembled their own Persée timepiece – a shared watchmaking creation that became a symbol of their strong bond and a precious legacy destined to be passed down from generation to generation.

How can I switch between the horizontal and vertical position?

The Persée desk clock has been designed to be displayed both horizontally and vertically, depending on your preference.

To change its position, simply follow the final assembly steps in reverse, as outlined in the book (pages 92 to 99).

Is it possible to disassemble the “Persée” table clock?

The Persée desk clock can be disassembled to further explore watchmaking craftsmanship, perform maintenance, or even add future complications.
The mainspring barrel must be unwound before any disassembly – an essential step explained in the book (page 101). You can then follow the assembly steps in reverse.

Persée is a timepiece designed to transcend generations. It embodies exceptional watchmaking expertise, which you may choose to pass on to a loved one. They, in turn, will have the opportunity to experience the assembly process, immersing themselves in the fascinating world of horology.

What are the delivery times?

Is worldwide shipping available?

Yes, Maison Alcée is committed to allowing everyone, wherever they are in the world, to discover the beauty of watchmaking craftsmanship and understand the complexity of this exceptional heritage – whether they are passionate collectors or curious enthusiasts eager to explore the art of horology.

Are Maison Alcée watchmaking sets insured during shipping?

Yes, all Maison Alcée sets are fully insured during shipment. Your package is shipped discreetly, with no visible branding or indication of its contents. It is delivered via DHL, a trusted international carrier, and will be hand-delivered against signature for added security.

In the rare event of a lost package, Maison Alcée will promptly prepare and reship your order at no additional cost.

Can I track my order online?

Yes, you can track the shipment of your order online. In the private exchange group between you and our watchmaking team, you will receive your tracking number.
You will also have the option to choose your preferred delivery date by clicking on the link sent by DHL, either by email or SMS, once your order has been dispatched.

Can I pick up my presentation box directly from your workshop?

We would be delighted to welcome you to our watchmaking workshop in the heart of Reims. Passionate about fine watchmaking craftsmanship, we would be pleased to hand you your case in person and share the story of our Maison with you. You can schedule an appointment here.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept payments by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) as well as bank transfers.

You can also pay via Apple Pay, secure payment methods that allow you to place your order easily.

Is my payment secure?

We are committed to protecting your data. All transactions on our website are secure. When processing your information, we use advanced encryption technologies to ensure its safety.
You can rest assured that data security is a top priority for Maison Alcée.

How can I make a bank transfer?

When placing your order, select the bank transfer payment option. You can then proceed with the transfer. For security reasons, your order will only be shipped once the payment has been received, at which point we will notify you.

What should I do if my payment is declined?

If your payment is declined, your order will be automatically canceled, and no amount will be charged. You can place a new order at any time.

Please don’t hesitate to contact our advisors by phone at +33 7 56 96 19 63 or by email at contact@maison-alcee.com
They will be delighted to assist you.

How does Maison Alcée ensure the precision of its timepieces?

Over 90% of our components are manufactured in the Franco-Swiss Jura Arc to the highest quality standards. Moreover, our expert watchmakers perform a “mise en lanterne” for each timepiece – a meticulous process ensuring that each desk clock leaves our workshop boasting top performance and maximum longevity.

What are the quality control steps before my timepiece leaves the workshop?

Before leaving our workshop, each timepiece undergoes a rigorous inspection carried out by our expert watchmakers. First, they fully assemble your timepiece to ensure its proper functioning. If any defective or underperforming component is detected, it is immediately replaced.

Once assembly has been verified, our experts set the timepiece to the correct time and carefully adjust the rate as required. Various measurements are then performed to check the amplitude, workings and settings of the regulating organ.

For 14 days, the desk clock is subjected to a series of tests. the timepiece is positioned vertically for seven days, followed by another seven days in the horizontal position.
Once the process is complete, your timepiece is carefully disassembled and placed in its presentation box, ready to be delivered.

Does the timepiece come with a warranty?

Each Persée timepiece comes with a two-year warranty covering any hidden flaws or defects. Inside your presentation case, you will find a warranty card with a QR code and a link. By scanning the code or entering the link, you can join Maison Alcée’s community, Les Bâtisseurs.

How often should I service my timepiece?

We recommend servicing your timepiece every five years.

What should I do if my timepiece requires maintenance?

If your timepiece requires maintenance, you can contact us through the exclusive WhatsApp group created between you and our expert watchmakers upon receiving your presentation case. They will be glad to guide you through each step.
If you prefer, you can also send it back to us for inspection by our watchmakers. Once received, our team will examine your timepiece and send you a detailed estimate to guide you through performing the maintenance yourself. Your timepiece will then be returned to you promptly. 

What should I do if I lose a component?

The screwdriver blades included in your watchmaking kit have been specially designed for Maison Alcée. They are made from beryllium copper, a material softer than traditional screwdriver blades, which helps protect the integrity of your components while ensuring precise handling. During assembly, slight marks may appear – this is completely natural and an integral part of the learning process.
If you lose a component, our Maison is at your disposal to provide the necessary piece, allowing you to continue your assembly.