Tessé Watches on Kickstarter — Interview with the Creator of the Michel Architect

We sat down with Thomas Brissiaud, the founder of Tessé Watches on Kickstarter, to talk about the brand’s newest creation: the Michel Architect. After the success of the Michel GMT, Thomas wanted to push his design philosophy further, exploring structure, depth, and architectural forms in a way that feels both personal and precise.

During our conversation, Thomas spoke openly about the origins of Tessé, rooted in childhood memories and years spent refining the right manufacturing partnerships. He also emphasized that, once again, Kickstarter is not a financing tool for Tessé — production for the Architect is already underway — but rather a place to share the story, connect with a community, and bring collectors directly into the creative process. With its 21-component dial, luminous blocks, and refined detailing, the Architect represents the next step in Tessé’s evolving design language.

Origin of the Project Tessé Watches on Kickstarter

What inspired you to create Tessé Watches on Kickstarter with the new Michel Architect model?

Tessé began as a very personal project born from memories of the village where I grew up and fueled by years of searching for the right partners to bring my vision to life. After launching the Michel GMT, I wanted to build on that momentum with something even more ambitious. And from the very beginning, Kickstarter was never about funding for me, it was about exposure and building a community around the brand. Just like with the Michel GMT, production for the Architect has already begun and is fully financed by the brand.

Kickstarter simply offers a unique way to tell the story behind the watch, involve people directly in the journey, and share the excitement of creating something that blends heritage with modern design.

Design Philosophy

The Architect features a dial built from 21 components, including 13 luminous blocks. What led you to this layered and architectural approach to dial design?

I’ve always loved watches that reward you the longer you look at them, and I wanted the Architect to have real depth both visually and technically. The multi-layer structure and the lume blocks create a sense of three-dimensionality that you don’t usually see in this price range. It’s very much inspired by architectural forms: clean lines, stacked volumes, and the interplay of light and shadow. The goal was to give the dial its own character without relying solely on texture: make it a little world you can get lost in.

Case Evolution

You brought back the 70s-inspired Michel case. What refinements did you make to improve comfort and aesthetics in this new version?

For the Architect, the case itself hasn’t changed—we had already achieved an exceptional level of design and finishing with our manufacturing partners, and I was genuinely proud of the work we’d done. Instead, the refinement happened in the details around it. We reworked the movement holder, which is now engraved with the same pattern as the dial—something subtle, almost hidden, but rewarding for those who appreciate small, thoughtful touches.

For this iteration, I wanted to give the same level of care and precision to the dial and hands, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible at this price point. The hands, for example, feature intricate finishing with polished sides: an extraordinary feat at such a small scale and rarely seen in this segment. These are details most people may not notice at first glance, but they matter deeply to me, and they elevate the experience once the watch is in hand.

Movement Choice

You chose the Swiss ETA 2892-A2. What made this caliber the right choice for the Architect?

The Architect is a watch built with intention, so the movement needed to reflect that. The 2892-A2 is thin, reliable, and beautifully engineered—one of the most respected Swiss calibers available. It allows the watch to maintain a slim profile despite the complex dial, and its long-term serviceability is a major advantage for collectors. Getting access to this movement wasn’t easy as a smaller brand, but it was worth the effort because it elevates the entire piece. WE use the Elabore grade, fully decorated and regulated in-house.

Backer Experience

What do you hope backers will appreciate most when they discover Tessé Watches on Kickstarter and eventually wear the Architect on their wrist?

I hope they feel the honesty of the project—the countless hours spent refining suppliers, rejecting parts that weren’t good enough, and obsessing over details that many will only notice once the watch is in hand. I want them to appreciate the balance between nostalgia and innovation, the slimness of the case, the depth of the dial, and the feeling that this is a watch made with care rather than shortcuts. Ultimately, I hope it becomes a piece they reach for not just because it looks great, but because they feel connected to the story behind it.

Our exchange with Thomas made one thing clear: the Michel Architect is not the result of shortcuts or surface-level styling, but years of refining details most people may only notice once the watch is in hand. From the layered construction to the slim profile made possible by the ETA 2892-A2, every decision reflects a commitment to craft and intention.

By launching Tessé Watches on Kickstarter, Thomas isn’t just presenting a new model — he’s inviting backers into the same journey that shaped the Architect: the search for precision, the obsession over small details, and the desire to create a watch that blends heritage with contemporary design. For collectors who appreciate honesty and depth in watchmaking, the Architect feels like a chapter worth following closely.

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About the Creator of Tessé Watches on Kickstarter

Tessé Watches was founded by Thomas Brissiaud, a designer driven by heritage, precision, and meaningful craftsmanship. Inspired by the French village where he grew up, Thomas builds watches that merge architectural structure with Swiss-made excellence. Each Tessé release is an evolution of his design language — thoughtful, intentional, and built with meticulous attention to detail.

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FAQ about Tessé Watches on Kickstarter

Why did you choose to launch on Kickstarter instead of your own website?

Tessé is returning to Kickstarter not for funding, but for visibility. Production of the Architect is already underway and fully financed. As a young brand, Kickstarter offers a powerful platform for discovery, allowing more people to understand what Tessé represents. With early supporter pricing just above $1,000 USD for a Swiss-made watch of this complexity, the goal isn’t profit — it’s to showcase the level of craft the brand can deliver.

Where are the watches manufactured?

The watches are produced in Switzerland and assembled in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a historic center of Swiss watchmaking known for its tradition of precision and craftsmanship.

What are the dimensions of the watch?

The Architect features a 40 mm stainless steel case (316L), a thickness of 10.8 mm, and a 47.1 mm lug-to-lug distance. It comes with a sapphire crystal treated with anti-reflective coating and an Italian leather strap.

Are the watches truly Swiss-made?

Yes. The Architect meets the official requirements of the Swiss Made designation, ensuring Swiss production standards and assembly carried out in Switzerland.

What is the water resistance rating?

The Architect is water-resistant to 100 meters (10 ATM). It handles splashes and immersion, but it is not designed for diving.