Who We Are

The workshop and our beginnings

Founded in 2016, our workshop is the result of a path combining horology and micromechanics.

From the very beginning, we understood that there are many ways to make an object and that some of them do not suit us.

Each approach has its advantages and its limits, and we had to learn how to choose the one that matches our vision and our constraints.

Two approaches to making an object

Let us take the example of making a watch. It can be approached in two very different ways.

The first consists in using only traditional techniques, faithful to the gestures and methods of craftsmen from the past.

The second relies exclusively on modern methods, making use of technology and computer controlled machines.

Differences between traditional and modern techniques

Modern methods precision and technological dependence

Modern techniques are characterised by extreme precision and a strong dependence on technology.

Computer controlled machines allow fast and highly accurate production, but they require significant material investment and constant access to sophisticated tools. 

Their implementation cost is often high, and their use can create dependence on complex systems and technical maintenance.

Traditional techniques skill time and commitment

Traditional techniques, by contrast, rely on manual skill and on the mastery of tools made or adapted by the craftsman himself.

These tools, often robust and simple, require repeated practice to reach the necessary level of precision. 

Traditional tools are rare, sometimes expensive, and no longer produced, which makes their acquisition and maintenance a challenge. 

These methods demand total involvement from the craftsman, as well as patient and meticulous work.

Finding a balance between tradition and modernity

Each approach has its limits. Modern techniques can be costly and distance the craftsman from manual gestures, while traditional techniques require time, energy and reliance on tools that must be made and maintained.

It became clear to us that we needed to find a balance, a path that combines rigour and independence.

Our choice simple tools made in house

In our practice, we have chosen to use simple tools made by ourselves.

This approach allows us to remain free and creative while staying faithful to traditional craftsmanship.

It is directly inspired by medieval clockmakers, who had to design and make most of the tools they needed to work. 

These craftsmen were both tool makers and users, which gave them complete mastery of their craft.

The legacy of the medieval clockmaker

The history of the medieval clockmaker is rich and reveals fascinating skills. Before becoming a distinct profession, the clockmaker belonged to the locksmiths’ guild and shared with them the gestures of forging and mechanics.

The first clocks were made of forged steel using simple tools. 

Mastery of these instruments was essential, as each part had to fit perfectly into the overall mechanism. 

This approach deeply inspires us and guides our working methods, even in the creation of contemporary miniature objects.

Processed image, from an original held by the Municipal Library of Lyon (A16AMM000371), The clockmaker by Jost Amman.

Forging at the heart of our work

Gesture and material

Forging occupies a central place in our practice, as it connects our current work to ancient know how.

As described by Diderot, “To forge is to strike metal on an anvil with a hammer. 

Forging is done cold and hot.” Every gesture, every blow, influences the shape and strength of the piece.

Working alone and in miniature

Unlike medieval craftsmen who often worked in teams, we work alone.

This solitude imposes certain constraints.

Some large scale techniques cannot be reproduced, and forging large pieces requires significant effort and time. For this reason, we focus on miniature objects. 

This reduced scale limits physical constraints while maintaining technical and artistic demands.

Essential forging tools

To forge, only a few tools are essential. The anvil, made of steel or stone, serves as a support for working the metal.

The hammer, with a wooden handle and a suitable head, allows form and precision to be achieved. 

An air source, often a wooden and leather bellows, feeds the charcoal hearth, which itself is built from earth and clay to heat the metal. 

These simple tools, designed and maintained by us, become extensions of the hand and support the mastery of gestures.

The materials we use

We work with a variety of materials: steel, wood, clay, leather, copper and bronze.

Each is chosen for its quality, its ability to be transformed, and its compatibility with miniature work. 

These materials are used both to make the tools and to create the objects themselves, ensuring coherence between instruments and finished pieces.

Presentation of creations and materials

A detailed presentation of our creations is available on the Specialities page of our website.

Tools, materials and their specific characteristics are also presented in the Journal sections, offering a comprehensive view of our world and our methods. 

This approach makes it possible to understand the relationship between gesture, tool and material, and to grasp the importance of each stage of the craft process.