JURA valley watchmaking
The JURA valley watchmaking heritage
Watchmaking tradition spanning France and Switzerland
Since 2020, Maison Alcée has been striving to introduce a generation in search of authentic first-hand experience to the artisanal expertise of the Jura valley.
December 2020
The Jura valley straddling France and Switzerland is home to expertise in ‘craftsmanship of mechanical watchmaking and art mechanics’ recognised as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Maison Alcée sets out to perpetuate this watchmaking heritage spanning France and Switzerland, collaborating with manufacturers for everything from design to the production of its desk watch clock components.
Autumn 2022
Persée, our first watchmaking kit comprising a desk watch clock for enthusiasts to assemble themselves, is launched. The set uses components designed and manufactured in the Jura valley by and for Maison Alcée through partnerships with leading actors in region, renowned for its watch manufacturers.
“Maison Alcée has given birth to an innovative concept, widely acclaimed right from the outset”
The invaluable heritage of JURA valley watch manufacturERs
Watchmaking treasure recognised as UNESCO World Heritage
Rather than take the easy way out, we resolved to rise to the challenge of having both the components and the movements for our timepieces manufactured and produced within the Jura valley, thus ensuring unrivalled levels of precision and sophistication – and we’re proud of having achieved our aim. The result is that your Persée luxury desk watch clock is a genuine product of the legendary mechanical watchmaking heritage of the Jura, as recognised by UNESCO.
The region’s tradition of watchmaking excellence dates back to the sixteenth century, when the protestant Reformation saw science and technology as noble disciplines, ranking them even more highly than decorative arts, and the Jura valley saw the rise of a subtle blend of science, art and technical expertise, with this magnificent region straddling France and Switzerland acquiring a reputation for unrivalled quality in every watch manufactory. Proof of this (if any is needed) is to be found in the fact that in December 2020, the craftsmanship of mechanical watchmaking and art mechanics present in the Jura valley was added to the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“Watchmaking embodies values such as pride in one’s own work, meticulous attention to detail, patience, punctuality, creativity and perseverance”
“The unending quest for precision and the intangible aspect of measuring time add a significant philosophical dimension to the craft”
JURA VALLEY WATCHMAKING ARTISANRY
Local commitment to excellence
Maison Alcée is proud to have designed the movement in conjunction with Jura valley watch company talent, including a French master watchmaker; its components are made by partner manufacturers based in the region, the cradle of fine watchmaking.
We’re committed to preserving this invaluable horological heritage – knowledge that dates back centuries.
MADE IN THE JURA VALLEY
Jura: the cradle of watchmaking
Over 90% of Maison Alcée’s thirty watch company partners are located in the Jura valley straddling France and Switzerland, perpetuating the two nations’ watchmaking expertise – around one hundred jobs are indirectly linked to the design of our Persée desk watch clock.
Like the watchmaking components in your kit, the screwdrivers are also manufactured entirely within the Jura valley. They have been specifically designed and feature an untreated beryllium copper alloy making them softer so as to mitigate the risk of any scratches. It’s the first time our manufacturing partner has used this solution; while the screwdriver blade doesn’t last quite as long, it offers better protection for the piece being worked on.
Maison Alcée strives to protect and enhance the finest French and Swiss watch manufactory traditions with the aim of passing on this horological expertise and knowhow in the form of outstanding desk watch clocks that uphold the invaluable heritage of the Jura valley.
“The Persée desk watch clock takes about 10 hours to assemble, including the winding movement. The clock kit comes in a wooden presentation case and includes 233 components and 17 watchmaking tools.”
“A point of pride for Maison Alcée is its hyper-local supply chain: More than 90% of the components, including those of the winding movement, are from the Jura region straddling France and Switzerland, the cradle of Swiss watchmaking.”
“Creating your own mechanical watch with manual winding at home. But not just a gadget – a true work of art made from 233 high-quality components, with educational support.”
“We also designed the movement in an elongated “baguette” shape to make it easier to understand the function of each component. In traditional watches, the movement is usually circular, making comprehension more challenging.”
“Watchmaking is both an art and a technical challenge. The movement of the desk watch clock is crafted and developed exclusively by and for Maison Alcée. It is important to note that 90% of the manufacturing takes place in the Jura region.”
“All the parts of the desk watch clock, including the winding movement, are made in the French and Swiss Jura mountain regions by 38 different manufacturing partners.”
“Regarding the watch movement, we wanted it to have the exact mechanism as a wristwatch but on a larger scale. This allows the apprentice to follow the steps while understanding how their watch works.”
