“Bringing Time to Life: The Human Story Behind Modern Watchmaking”

In this exclusive conversation with Dubai Global News Media Group, the founder of Maison Alcée shares a deeply personal journey into the world of watchmaking—one that blends engineering, artistry, and a passion for preserving heritage. From early creative curiosity to a career shaped by leading luxury houses and master artisans, her path reveals how timekeeping is more than precision mechanics; it is a human story about transmission of knowledge, pride in craftsmanship, and meaningful creation. At the heart of the discussion is a bold vision: transforming admirers of horology from passive owners into active makers. By inviting people to assemble their own mechanical clocks, Maison Alcée seeks to keep rare skills alive while offering something increasingly precious in today’s world—a slower, hands-on, and deeply personal experience of time itself

• What is your personal relationship with watchmaking?

The story of Maison Alcée is a highly personal one that first began thirty years ago. When I was little, I enjoyed creatively bringing materials to life – and promised myself I’d never grow out of it!

To pursue my dream, I became an engineer, learning how to invent, develop and build – and above all, how to help craftsmen. I’ve worked for several fine brands: Hermès, Cartier, and then in watchmaking for Richemont and Tag Heuer, where science and passion are seen as crucial to timekeeping in equal measure.

They were amazing years! Working with artisans, I caught a glimpse of their innermost motivations:

• A desire to reconnect with reality by working with their hands
• Elevating humanity by cultivating beauty
• And on completion of their work, an inner pride in a job well done.

It was something of an epiphany for me: 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.

• Is there a personal story that shaped your journey into watchmaking?

What deeply marked me in watchmaking was a conversation I had while working at Tag Heuer. One day, the most experienced watchmaker in the workshop said to me: “Alcée, I’m afraid watchmaking is fading away, that it may disappear, because we are no longer able to pass this know-how on.

Those words stayed with me, prompting a deeper reflection: how can such a heritage be passed on?

For me, the most meaningful way is to allow anyone to assemble their own timepiece. When you create something with your own hands, you engage your intelligence, your manual precision, and your emotions. This personal involvement makes learning deeper, more lasting, and infinitely more alive.

• Would you describe watchmaking as more of an art, a science, mechanics, or a form skill?

I appreciate watchmaking so much because it is one of the few crafts that straddles the boundary between science and philosophy. 

Science seeks to measure time in order to better control it. 

Philosophy, on the other hand, reminds us that time flies and that every moment is precious, with no possibility of stopping it.

• Does it take special skills control to achieve this kind of mastery?
• And how did you learn this incredibly rare skill?

I am an engineer!
The fact that I am not a watchmaker is precisely what inspired me to share the beauty of watchmaking craftsmanship with the world.

For me, the best way to do this is to enable anyone who is interested to assemble their own timepiece, including the mechanical movement.

We therefore needed to develop our own watch movement with the support of: 

• Thierry Ducret, horology teacher and one of the select band of France’s ‘Best Craftsmen’ (Meilleurs Ouvriers de France) 
• Antoine Tschumi, a Swiss designer
• Jean-Marie Desgrange, a watchmaking teacher

Together, we developed our own clock movement, capable of being brought to life by anyone with a mind – and a heart – to do so.

Now, our ambition has come to fruition in the form of a presentation box containing all 233 parts of the clock, all the necessary tools (some of them specially developed to ensure they can be used by the uninitiated) and a beautiful book to accompany clockmaking apprentices on their journey to build a way of measuring time – perhaps even gaining an insight into time itself in the process.

Inveterate collectors, unrepentant enthusiasts and inquisitive newcomers alike can become heirs to ancient arts for a season – and in doing so, experience the pride of having made something with their own hands.

• My idea was that rather than being reduced to consumers simply buying and owning a product, people could enjoy a highly personal experience involving the work of their own hands. (from Maison Alcee website), can you give us more details?

At Maison Alcée, we don’t just offer a simple clock, but the opportunity for enthusiasts to discover the beauty of watchmaking expertise by assembling their own timepiece at home, including the mechanical movement.

The movement is visible, allowing each component’s role to be clearly understood, so that the knowledge gained during the experience can be appreciated and shared.

This immersive experience typically lasts around ten hours and has been designed so that every detail matters—the precision of the mechanisms, the elegance of the finishes, and the hands-on engagement of the participant. Maison Alcée fulfills its promise: to provide the joy of creation, to capture the artisan’s gestures, and to understand their deeper significance by reproducing them.

• Maison Alcée offers a personalized support purchase a set for beginners with no prior experience in horology. Can you share with us this support?

We know many of our customers personally. We have built strong and wonderful relationships with them. We enjoy welcoming them to our workshop in France or meeting them abroad when Benoît (co-founder of Maison Alcée and my husband!) or I travel.

Before the customer assembles their timepiece, we create a private WhatsApp group with them and our team of watchmakers. This allows them to ask questions and receive guidance throughout the assembly process. It is at the heart of the personalised support we provide with our watchmaking box set.

The watchmaking book included in the set offers a wealth of details and skilfully written stories, with step-by-step guidance on how to assemble the Persée timepiece.

We also offer the opportunity to view video tutorials for further guidance as they assemble their timepiece. These invaluable accompaniments to the book give a visual overview and practical demonstrations to help each enthusiast throughout the assembly process.

Every last detail has been carefully thought out to make sure the aspiring watchmaker enjoys a complete watchmaking experience, building something that will enable him to measure time in a whole new way.

• Experience the pride of having made something with your own hands. Can you share with us this eternal emotion through your clients?

Enthusiasts assemble their own timepieces. 

They put their intelligence, expertise and emotion into creating the piece, which makes them all the more attached to it. Once assembled, the clock is no longer just a clock… it bears the marks of this very personal experience. 

We also offer our customers the opportunity to sign their timepiece with their initials, just like a professional watchmaker would! The Maison Alcée signature plate can feature a personalized engraving such as ‘Maison Alcée by AM’, with ‘AM’ representing the enthusiast’s initials.

One of our customers, a passionate clock collector, told us that his Persée clock is the most important piece in his living room. It may be the most discreet clock in his entire collection, but for him, it is the most important because it is linked to the fruit of his labour.

What’s more, imagining the satisfaction of the end customer when they assemble their own timepiece is a source of joy for me. Some of our customers tell us about moments that are so precious, far beyond anything we could have imagined. 

One of them told us that assembling his clock was his best Christmas present ever, because he did it with his son. This father worked a lot and the father-son relationship was becoming increasingly distant. Assembling their clock together allowed them to create a strong bond, just like they did as children with Lego.

This experience allows every watch enthusiast to rediscover the wonder and curiosity of childhood. At Maison Alcée, we remain true to our DNA: passing on expertise, especially in watchmaking, and allowing anyone curious to step into the shoes of a watchmaker. We do not offer a finished piece—we offer an experience that lets our clients explore, learn, and feel deeply connected to the craft.