Maison Alcée Expands The Persée Experience With Moon Phase Complication
Maison Alcée continues to redefine the boundaries of participatory watchmaking with the introduction of its Moon Phase complication, an innovation that deepens the immersive experience at the heart of the Persée concept.
More than a technical addition, it is a natural evolution of the Maison’s philosophy: extending the journey of assembly while inviting enthusiasts to explore new dimensions of horological craftsmanship.
Engineering the Experience
Developing the Moon Phase presented two significant challenges. The first was both technical and aesthetic, ensuring the complication could be integrated seamlessly into any Persée clock, regardless of whether it had been assembled in a vertical or horizontal configuration. The second challenge was preserving the integrity of the original experience: creating a complication that could be added without requiring extensive disassembly, thus maintaining the magic of the build.
Maison Alcée’s solution is as elegant as it is practical. The Moon Phase can be installed with minimal intervention, requiring only the replacement of the eight-day bush, the minute wheel, and its pinion. At the same time, a specially developed adjustment mechanism ensures that the lunar display remains accurate and visually coherent in both orientations, an impressive feat of engineering subtlety.
A New Dimension of Creation
With this addition, owners are invited to rediscover the joy of creation. The act of assembling the Moon Phase mirrors the gestures of master artisans, offering a deeper understanding of the craft. Whether undertaken alone or shared between generations, it transforms watchmaking into a meaningful, hands-on experience, one that blends education, emotion, and creativity.
This philosophy has already earned widespread recognition. Maison Alcée was awarded the Audacity Prize at the 2023 edition of the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Genève 2023, cementing its reputation as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary horology. Its creations are now showcased internationally, from MB&F’s M.A.D. Gallery locations in Geneva, Dubai, Taiwan, and Singapore, to leading retailers such as The Hour Glass in New Zealand and Art in Time in Monaco.
The Moon Phase Unveiled
The new Moon Phase will make its official debut at the Time to Watches 2026, held from April 14 to 19 at Villa Sarasin in Geneva. For collectors and enthusiasts alike, it marks a key moment in the Maison’s ongoing journey.
The Story Behind the Maison
At the heart of Maison Alcée is its founder, Alcée Montfort, whose path to horology is anything but conventional. From an early fascination with materials and making, ranging from ceramics to confectionery, she developed a passion for creation that would later merge with a rigorous engineering background.
Her career took her through some of the most prestigious names in luxury, including Hermès, Cartier, and the Richemont, before she turned her attention to Swiss watchmaking. In 2020, she founded Maison Alcée alongside her husband, bringing to life a long-held ambition: to reinvent luxury through high-end, hands-on experiences.
The result was Persée, launched in 2022, the first high-end clock designed to be assembled entirely by its owner. Delivered in an elegant wooden box, the kit includes 233 components, professional tools, and a richly illustrated guide, transforming the wearer into the watchmaker.
A Complication Rooted in Poetry
The Moon Phase complication builds on this foundation, inviting users into the rhythms of the cosmos. Comprising 18 components, the kit includes all necessary tools and detailed guidance, with additional video support and personalised assistance via a dedicated horologists’ group.
True to Maison Alcée’s standards, craftsmanship is paramount. Around 95% of the components are made in France, with each element finished to an exceptional degree. The moon itself is a miniature work of art, hammered and polished on its convex surface, satin-finished beneath, and engraved by hand to recreate delicate craters.
The surrounding elements are equally refined. A proprietary gratté finish, combining hammered and frosted textures, creates depth and luminosity on the Moon bridge, complemented by a circular-grained surround. The ratchet features a gilded engraving of the Persée constellation, a nod to Greek mythology and the Maison’s narrative identity, while hand-finished wheels embody the precision and beauty of traditional watchmaking.
A Universe to Build
Every detail of the Moon Phase reflects Maison Alcée’s commitment to excellence, creativity, and accessibility. It is a complication that is at once technical and poetic, bringing together celestial inspiration and human ingenuity.
In doing so, Maison Alcée continues its mission: to bring the art of watchmaking out of the shadows and into the hands of those eager to experience it for themselves.
Technical Specifications:
- Progress of the 29.5-day lunar cycle displayed at the bottom right of the dial.
- Moon phase number moves forward every day at midday.
- Moon phase number adjusted by hand directly on the ratchet.
Materials
- Moon and wheels: watchmaking quality brass
- Bridge and wheels: 316L stainless steel
- Ratchet: aluminium
Finishings:
- Ratchet: lacquered, engraved with the constellation of Persée
- Moons: satin-polished, hammered, polished relief
- Moon bridge: hand-frosted
The Moon Phase add-on complication is available at a cost of 1,800 EUR – USD 2,100 (excluding VAT)
For more information please visit Maison Alcée