If Weyland-Yutani, the shadowy megacorporation from the Alien franchise, ever commissioned a desk clock, it might look something like Maison Alcée and MB&F’s Nostromo. Even the name itself is borrowed from the commercial space tug crewed by Ellen Ripley and her ill-fated colleagues in Ridley Scott’s original 1979 film.

The Nostromo

For the past two decades, MB&F has dedicated themselves to creating horological machines that appear to have arrived from a whole other planet. The new Nostromo is no different, but takes that fascination and makes it a lot more hands-on for the owner: the alien-like table clock is delivered as 222 separate components and requires assembly.

The Nostromo is created with French horological maison Maison Alcée for the 15^th anniversary of the M.A.D.Gallery, and designed by MB&F creative designer Maximilian Maertens. The clock is limited to 50 pieces only and the assembly process takes approximately 10 hours, with only the regulating organ supplied pre-assembled.

Maison Alcée was founded in 2021 by husband-and-wife team Alcée and Benoît Montfort with their goal of placing enthusiasts at the watchmaker’s bench. Their first creation, the Persée clock, established their approach by arriving as a kit for owners to assemble at home. The Persée Azur went on to earn Maison Alcée the Audacity Prize at the 2023 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.

The M.A.D.Gallery was actually the first boutique to support the young maison, recognising how naturally its pillars of mechanical art, education and play combined and fitted well within the MB&F universe.

The Nostromo transforms the Persée concept into something more extraterrestrial. Maertens turns the clock onto its side and adds three organic sculptural feet, giving it the appearance of a crouching tentacled mechanical creature.

The clock itself can be rotated on its feet once fully assembled, while the time display has been slightly angled upwards for easier reading when on the desk. The original continuous dial ring has also been divided into individual sections finished in the M.A.D.Gallery’s signature peacock blue. This exposes more of the inner workings and gears beneath, while reworked black hands help to provide greater contrast against the movement.

Front view of the Nostromo

Beneath the science-fiction exterior is a serious and technical mechanical clock based on the architecture of a wristwatch movement, enlarged for this project. It shows the hours, minutes and seconds, even incorporating an hour chime that can be switched off. It offers a 14-day power reserve.

Back view of the Nostromo

Despite the complexity, the clock was designed so that novices can put it together. It is supplied with a 250-page illustrated book that guides the owner through the whole process, supplemented by QR codes linking to videos for those that require demonstrations for specific stages.

The Nostromo is constructed from stainless steel, brass and German silver. The completed clock measures 160mm wide, 135mm deep and 123mm high, coming with a total weight of 760g.

The table clock is delivered as 222 separate components and is supplied with a 250-page illustrated manual

Tech Specs: Maison Alcée x MB&F Nostromo

Movement: Mechanical table-clock movement based on enlarged wristwatch architecture; 14-day power reserve

Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds; hour chime that can be enabled or disabled

Dimensions: 160mm width; 123mm height; 135mm depth; 760g weight

Assembly: Approximately 10 hours; regulating organ supplied pre-assembled; professional tools and 250-page illustrated instruction manual with QR-linked videos included

Price: CHF 12,000

Availability: Limited to 50 pieces