Who We Are

The Workshop and Our Beginnings

Founded in 2016, our workshop is the result of a journey combining watchmaking and micromechanics.

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

Each approach has its advantages and limitations, and we had to learn to choose the one that best corresponds to our vision and our constraints.

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

The first is to use only traditional techniques, faithful to the gestures and methods of past artisans.

The second is to rely exclusively on modern methods, using technology and computer-controlled machines.

The Differences Between Traditional and Modern Techniques

Modern techniques are characterised by their extreme precision and reliance on technology.

Computer-controlled machines allow exact and rapid production, but they require significant investment in equipment and constant access to sophisticated tools.

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

Traditional techniques, on the other hand, rely on manual skill and mastery of tools made or adapted by the artisan.

These instruments, often robust and simple, require repeated practice to achieve the necessary precision. 

Antique tools are rare, sometimes expensive, and are no longer produced, making their acquisition and maintenance a challenge. 

These methods demand the artisan’s full involvement as well as patient and meticulous work.
Each approach has its limits.

Modern techniques can be costly and distance the artisan from the manual gesture, while traditional techniques require time, effort, and reliance on tools that must be created and maintained. 

It became clear to us that it was necessary to find a balance, a path that combines rigour and autonomy.

Our Choice: Simple, Homemade Tools

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

This approach allows us to remain free and creative while staying true to an artisanal craft.

It is directly inspired by medieval watchmakers, who had to design and manufacture most of the instruments they needed to work.

These artisans were both creators and users of their tools, giving them complete mastery over their art.

The Legacy of the Medieval Watchmaker

The history of the medieval watchmaker is rich and reveals a fascinating skill set.

Before becoming a distinct profession, watchmakers belonged to the locksmiths’ guild and shared their techniques of forging and mechanics. 

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

Mastery of these instruments was essential, as each piece 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.

The Forge at the Heart of Our Work

The forge occupies a central place in our practice, connecting our current work to ancient skills.

As Diderot describes:

(« Forger, c’est battre sur l’enclume un métal avec un marteau. On forge à froid et à chaud. »)

"Forging is beating metal on the anvil with a hammer. One forges both cold and hot."

Each movement, each strike, influences the shape and strength of the piece.

Unlike medieval artisans 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 considerable effort and time.

That is why we focus exclusively on miniature objects. 

This scale reduces physical constraints while maintaining technical and artistic demands.

Essential Tools for Forging

For forging, a few tools are indispensable.

The anvil, made of steel or stone, serves as a support for working the metal.

The hammer, with a wooden handle and an appropriate head, allows shaping and precision.

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

These simple tools, designed and maintained by us, become extensions of the hand and facilitate 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 transform, and its suitability for miniature work.

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

Presentation of Creations and Materials

A detailed presentation of our creations is available on the “Specialties” page of our website.

The tools, materials, and their characteristics are also presented in the “Journal” section, offering a complete view of our universe and methods.

This approach helps to understand the relationship between gesture, tool, and material, and to appreciate the importance of each step in the artisanal process.