Persée Azur

The mechanical movement was developed by Maison Alcée to be assembled by an amateur.

It was designed in collaboration with:

• Thierry Ducret, one of the few ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ in watchmaking, on whom we relied for the excellent level of craftsmanship
• Watchmaking teachers from the prestigious high school in Morteau in the French Jura, who are well aware of the difficulties faced by their first-year students
• A Swiss designer, who came up with an innovative aesthetic encompassing two stances the enthusiast can choose from during assembly

The Persée table clock consists of 233 components, 169 of which must be carefully assembled by the apprentice clockmaker. Only the regulating organ is pre-assembled, providing a unique opportunity to bring each and every detail to life. Each part is carefully machined to produce exceptional surface finishes. The straight graining, circular satin finishing, chamfering, polishing and sandblasting reflect our House’s signature expert craftsmanship and attention to detail.

This is the story of an extraordinary creation.

Channelling the emotion, talent and history of traditional fine craftsmanship excellence, the founder of Maison Alcée invites admirers of beauty to “find escapism in a manual activity, to experience how it feels to be a watchmaker and create harmony with them”. 

For this unique experience, a lucky apprentice is provided with everything they need to build their own one-of-a-kind creation worthy of the remarkable objects that are passed down from generation to generation. Alcée Montfort carefully encloses these treasures of transmission in wood cases that can be kept or given as gifts: “We have to overcome this idea that certain know-how is inaccessible. Only when we bring this expertise out of the shadows can we infuse the profession with new energy, enabling a wider audience to see it in a new light.”

In order to give each enthusiast the freedom to assemble their own numbered timepiece however they like, she also had to write a guide so that all the steps were perfectly clear. The guide is filled with a treasure trove of meticulously composed stories and details, as well as engaging anecdotes and the steps to follow to understand the hundred or so tools and components from bridges to plates, from keys to bells: “This is much more than a simple manual – it’s a beautiful collection of instructive pages which is a joy to read. This book is an integral part of our boxed set. This undertaking requires time and concentration; it’s not something to be taken lightly.”

When an owner lifts the lid on this finely crafted solid wood case, they can be sure they will experience what Alcée promises: the joy of creating something and coming as close as possible to capturing the craftsman’s skill and its full meaning. Intemperate collectors, incorrigible enthusiasts or insatiable neophytes will all become heirs to an age-old discipline for a brief moment, finally feeling the pride of making something with their own hands.