Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Maison Alcée x MB&F Nostromo, an Alien-Like Creation to Build Yourself
A DIY desk clock kit with design input from MB&F crafted by Maison Alcée celebrates the 15th anniversary of MB&F's M.A.D. Gallery.
Just ahead of Geneva Watch Days, MB&F has teamed up with Maison Alcée to release a wonderful build-it-yourself mechanical desk clock. Celebrating the 15th anniversary of MB&F’s M.A.D. Gallery, the two brands have collaborated on Nostromo, an alien-like creature that reflects MB&F’s passion for extraterrestrial design and Maison Alcée’s dexterity in producing DIY desk clock kits.
Founded by Max Büsser in 2011, the M.A.D. Gallery in Geneva is an original space devoted to MB&F’s avant-garde watches, machines and co-creations, as well as kinetic art and sculptures by independent international artists. Inviting like-minded “friends” to exhibit their moving objects, there is nothing static in M.A.D. Gallery.
A perfect match for M.A.D.’s kinetic philosophy, Maison Alcée specialises in build-it-yourself mechanical clocks. Founded by a husband-and-wife team, Alcée and Benoît Montfort, in 2021, their first table clock, Persée, comes in a kit with 233 components that can be assembled by wannabe watchmakers armed with a good dose of patience and a desire to learn.
As Alcée Montfort explains: “Everything is presented in a highly pedagogical way, but it isn’t child’s play. We didn’t want to make a toy for adults; this is a genuine horological project, but one that comes with all the support clients need to succeed. The result is always a moment of intense pride in having created something from A to Z with one’s own hands.”
Named after the spaceship in the first Alien movie, Nostromo was envisioned by MB&F’s creative designer Maximilian Maertens and brought to life by Maison Alcée. Featuring a central ring and two rounded protrusions at either end, the assembly of the gears, wheels and pinions is similar to Persée but is mounted horizontally and rests on three spidery legs.
In addition to the hours, minutes and seconds, Nostromo has an on-demand hour-chiming function. It has an impressive 14-day power reserve and has been designed so that the movement can be assembled in about 10 hours; the only pre-assembled component is the regulating organ. Accompanied by a 250-page instruction manual with video content via QR codes, Nostromo weighs 760 grams, measures 160mm in length, 134mm in width and 123mm in height and is composed of brass, stainless steel and German silver. The ring-shaped dial features M.A.D. Gallery’s signature peacock blue colour.
Nostromo is a limited edition of 50 pieces and will be available exclusively through M.A.D.Galleries in Geneva and Dubai and MB&F LABs around the world. The retail price is CHF 12,000 (excl. VAT).
