Maison Alcée Releases a Long-awaited Moon Phase Module, Upping the Game in DIY Horology

The prominent Maison Alcée is back and it has not come empty-handed. Responding to the requests of numerous clock owners, the trailing-blazer horology house has released a moon phase module for its signature Persée clock. This is not a standalone product—it requires an existing Persée clock. It’s an exciting step forward for the budding brand that has been steadily gaining momentum since its launch in 2020, and even scooping out the Audacity Prize at the 2023 GPHG.

Not just a doublespeak, the Persée clock revolves around the concept of user interaction and DIY assembly. It’s delivered in pieces, with owners tasked with putting it together—a process facilitated by extensive guidance and support. The moon phase module adheres strictly to this hands-on ethos, with owners expected to install the additional feature themselves.

The finished product is a DIY enthusiast’s dream—it’s an 18-piece add-on kit, complete with tools, instructions, and video guides for assembly. Innovative and intricate, installation demands partially disassembling the original clock, a composition of 233 components that requires about 6-8 hours to piece together from scratch.

Most of the module’s components hail from France, the brand’s base. It maintains the hands-on approach throughout the finishing process – the moon possesses a hammered and polished upper surface, with each crater manually refined. Plus, the lunar cycle’s 29.5-day span is vividly displayed at the bottom right of the dial—with daily advancement around midday.

The timepiece utilizes the brand’s proprietary gratté finish for the moon bridge—a harmonious blend of hammered and frosted textures. The ratchet is lacquered and engraved with a golden constellation of Persée against a starry backdrop. For do-it-yourself enthusiasts looking for an exciting challenge, the kit also includes Super-LumiNova for the hands and markers – to be applied by the owner, of course.