by Brent Robillard
A study in depth and design
There’s a quiet confidence that defines both Tessé Watches and its founder, Thomas Brissiaud. He’s reserved, thoughtful, and meticulous—the kind of person who prefers to let his work speak for itself. And yet, when you look at The Architect, it’s hard to call it quiet. This is a bold statement in geometry and restraint, a watch that seems to bend light and shadow into form.
I first encountered The Architect briefly during a RedBar gathering earlier this year, and again at the Toronto Timepiece Show, where it caught the eye of more than a few collectors. But it wasn’t until the piece arrived in the studio that I understood what Brissiaud meant when he said he wanted “to see how far he could push the design on the dial.”
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From the Michel GMT to The Architect
For those who’ve followed Tessé’s evolution—from the warm refinement of the Michel GMT Rose Gold to the bold vibrance of the Michel GMT Crimson Drive—this new release feels like a natural, if daring, progression.
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Key Features of the Tessé Watches The Architect
Design and wear
While the Michel focused heavily on case engineering, The Architect turns inward—a study in what happens when the dial becomes a structural object rather than a surface. Composed of 21 individual components, including 13 luminous blocks and a lattice of hand-polished half-circles, it’s a miniature construction site of precision and patience. The assembly process is so exacting that Tessé rejects a significant number of dials that don’t meet its standards—a level of rigour more often associated with haute horlogerie than microbrand watchmaking.
The result is a dial that behaves almost like a sculpture. Depending on the light, the half-circles shimmer, the lume blocks glow faintly beneath the surface, and the negative space draws the eye in unexpected ways. It’s an object that feels both minimalist and maximalist—silent yet commanding.
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Precision Beneath the Surface
Inside beats the ETA 2892-A2, a movement prized for its thinness and smooth sweep, here in élaboré grade and regulated to -4/+6 seconds per day across five positions. Tessé houses it in a custom-engraved movement holder, visible through the sapphire caseback—a thoughtful touch that reminds you this is more than just a pretty face.
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The case itself will feel familiar to anyone who’s handled a Michel: 40mm across, 10.8mm thick, 47.1mm lug-to-lug, and treated with a 1200 HV anti-scratch coating that gives the stainless steel a subtle sheen. It’s paired with an Italian leather strap, which, in keeping with the design language, avoids unnecessary stitching or embellishment.
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A Kickstarter Launch Built on Awareness, Not Funding
Tessé’s decision to launch The Architect on Kickstarter might surprise some. But as Brissiaud explained, this isn’t about raising funds—it’s about visibility. At just under $1,000 USD for early backers, the level of design complexity and Swiss-made craftsmanship here is remarkable.
What’s more, The Architect signals a philosophical evolution for Tessé. When I reviewed Brissiaud’s book, The Forgotten Innovations of 70s Watchmaking, I noted his fascination with the forgotten, the experimental, the transitional—and The Architect feels like a direct manifestation of that curiosity. It’s a contemporary watch built on the spirit of discovery that once defined an era.
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Specs
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 40mm Diameter 47.1mm Lug to Lug 10.8mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Display Case Back 100m Water Resistance | |
| Dial & Crystal | Domed Sapphire Crystal 21-Element Dial Lume Block Indices Needle-styled Hands BL10 Lume | |
| Movement | ETA 2892-A2 (élaboré grade) Regulated -4/+6 sec/day in 5 positions 21 Jewels 28,800vph 42-Hour Power Reserve | |
| Strap | Italian Leather Strap |
Tessé Watches The Architect
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Final Thoughts
The Architect is a watch that refuses to be background noise. It demands attention, not through flash or colour, but through an interplay of light, texture, and silence. It’s Tessé’s most refined design yet—and perhaps its most honest.
Brissiaud once told me that he wanted his watches to feel “like objects designed, not decorated.” With The Architect, he’s achieved that in full. It’s a watch that feels as if it could have been drawn by a draftsman’s hand—clean lines, perfect balance, and a quiet pulse of purpose beneath it all.
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Pricing & Availability
The Architect campaign will launch October 28, 2025 at an early bird price at just under $1,000 USD. You can join the Kickstarter campaign here, or check out the brand website.
About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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