What is the new Maison Alcée x MB&F Nostromo?
The Nostromo is an alien inspired table clock crafted by French brand Maison Alcée and designed by MB&F’s Creative Designer Maximilian Maertens. It is part of MB&F’s M.A.D. GALLERY’s 15th anniversary celebrations.
Maison Alcée was founded by wife-and-husband duo Alcée and Benoît Montfort in 2021. Based in Reims, France, they rose to fame with the Persée, a do-it-your-self table clock comprising of 233 parts, a 250-page illustrated instruction manual and QR codes for video assistance, and the necessary watchmaker tools “some of which have been specially developed for amateurs with parts in beryllium copper to avoid scratches.” The Persée Azur won the Audacity Prize at the 2023 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2023.
“Everything is presented in a highly pedagogic 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 at having created something from A to Z with one’s own hands.” – Alcée Montfort.
Also Read: MB&F celebrates the 15th anniversary of its innovative M.A.D. Gallery
What is the Nostromo’s design inspiration?
The Nostromo builds on Maison Alcée self-assembly concept yet has been given a design makeover by Maximilian Maertens, MB&F’s Creative Designer who has transformed “the traditional table clock into a strange little creature from outer space.” Maximilian also designed the HM12 The Guardian, a robot inspired grand complication where the robot’s “brain” is the wristwatch and its “body” serves as the wristwatch’s base.
“It was no easy feat to modify the clock, since it needed to remain as user friendly as possible. It would have been easier if I had been designing something for professional watchmakers to assemble, but this was a different story. I am a huge H.R. Giger fan, and I wanted to bring a little bit of the alien world into play. Its name, Nostromo, also comes from outer space as it is the name of the spaceship in the first Alien movie.” – Maximilian Maertens.
Also Read: MB&F unveils the supercool new HM12 The Guardian
What are its features?
Its functions are hours, minutes, seconds, and an hour chime that can be enabled or disabled. Comprising 222 parts, it delivers a power reserve of 14 days.
Its materials include brass gears, 316L stainless steel base plate, dial, axles, gears, base, spacers and nickel silver bushes.
It measures 160 mm (width) * 123 mm (height) and 135 mm (depth) and weighs 760 grams.
How is the Nostromo presented?
Like the Persée, the 222 parts of the Nostromo are presented in a beautifully crafted wooden box. The box also contains all the requisite tools and a 250-page illustrated instruction manual containing QR codes for video assistance.
Also Read: MB&F unveils the dazzling new LM Perpetual Chromatic Editions
What do we think?
The Nostromo reflects MB&F’s uncanny ability to give birth to an imaginative design concept by assembling the right partners or Friends (the F in MB&F) and giving them a voice. In this case Alcée and Benoît Montfort of Maison Alcée and MB&F’s Maximilian Maertens. The Nostromo joins a family of MB&F co-creations that deserve applause.
MB&F’s M.A.D.Editions will be unveiling the M.A.D.3 next week. A collaboration and tribute to Vincent Calabrese, one of the renowned OG independent watchmakers, it promises to be special. Exciting time ahead in MB&F’s magical universe.
Also Read: MB&F unveils a new watch to celebrate its New York Lounge
Additional Details
Name: Maison Alcée x MB&F Nostromo
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 12,000 (VAT not included)
Limited to 50 pieces. Sold out.
There is a 51st Nostromo. Visitors to the M.A.D. Gallery during the upcoming Geneva Watch Days will be invited to assemble a few components of the Nostromo. Participants will be automatically entered into a raffle. The winner will be announced at the end of show and will get to take the Nostromo home. The seventh edition of Geneva Watch Days is being held during 2nd-6th September 2026.
Click here to learn more about the Nostromo and here to learn more about Maison Alcée.
