For watch enthusiasts, few brands evoke the marriage of innovation and timeless design quite like Tessé Watches. We believe that good design is never accidental — it’s intentional, functional, and built to last. With the launch of its debut collection, the Michel GMT, the new Canadian microbrand Tessé Watches is set to redefine elegance and craftsmanship in watchmaking.
The Legacy of Michel and the Architectural Vision
The story of Tessé Watches is born from a deep passion for horology and a desire to create watches that tell a story beyond their function. Founded by Thomas Brissiaud, the inspiration behind the first model, the Michel GMT, is his grandfather, Michel. This timepiece is a sophisticated reinterpretation of classic 1970s designs.
With a passion for architecture and design, Thomas Brissiaud approached the Michel case from a structural perspective. Every angle, line, and proportion serves a purpose, without curves for the sake of style or size just to draw attention. For Tessé Watches, the case isn’t just a container; it’s a central part of how a watch feels, wears, and performs.
The Detailed Design of the Michel GMT Case
The Michel GMT case, blending elements of tonneau and cushion shapes, is designed with architectural principles to follow the natural curve of the wrist. It features a radial brush on the top, with a polished ring highlighting the slightly raised double-domed sapphire crystal. Polished chamfers flow to the etched sides of the case for refinement, and it boasts a 1200HV hardness coating for durability.
The result is a watch case with clean lines, functional geometry, and carefully considered transitions between surfaces. It wears comfortably, looks balanced on the wrist, and reflects light in a subtle, controlled way — no flash, just refinement.
Manufacturing Standards That Took Time
Design is only part of the equation. To get the case exactly right, Tessé Watches had to work through several rounds of prototyping, rejecting over 50% of their early case samples. Perfection was sought in every detail, from consistent brushing to lug tip tolerances and chamfer sharpness.
Eventually, Tessé Watches partnered with a case manufacturer that aligned with their high standards, whose attention to detail and ability to consistently deliver high-precision components made them the right fit for the brand.
Why the Case Matters
While movements and dial designs often get the spotlight, the case is what ties everything together. It defines how the watch feels on your wrist, how it reflects light, and how long it lasts. Tessé Watches chose a size and shape that works across a wide range of wrists and styles, avoiding trends in favor of timelessness. The finishing is subtle but deliberate, inspired by industrial and architectural surfaces that value precision over ornament.
The Debut Collection: Michel GMT - Key Features
The Michel GMT, with its 40mm diameter and a slim, comfortable 10.8mm thickness, is the ideal everyday timepiece. The dial design is equally captivating, featuring a multi-textured surface with a sunray radial brush, a satin ring, and etched details on the outer track. Its large, applied indices and distinctive "mountain-cut" hands catch light from different angles, creating a dynamic and ever-changing aesthetic.
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Movimiento: Swiss-Made Sellita SW 330-2 Elaboré Grade – 28,800 bph (4Hz), 21 jewels, and a 56-hour power reserve, regulated in-house to -4/+6 seconds per day in 5 positions.
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Case Dimensions: 40mm diameter, 10.8mm thickness, 47.1mm lug-to-lug.
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Finishing: Satin-brushed bezel with a polished ring, polished case sides and lugs.
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Dial: Multi-textured surface with a sunray radial brush, satin ring, and detailed etching.
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Hands & Indices: Large applied markers and distinctive "mountain-cut" hands inspired by vintage 70s aesthetics.
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Crystal & Durability: Double-domed sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating and scratch-resistant hardness coating (1200 HV).
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Exhibition Case Back: An extra-large sapphire window reveals a custom-engraved movement holder and blue screws.
- Resistencia al Agua: 100m (10ATM).
With its dual-time-zone functionality and versatile smart-casual design, the Michel GMT is crafted to be your ideal everyday timepiece.
Final Thoughts
The case of the Michel GMT, along with the entire watch, represents what Tessé stands for: thoughtful design, attention to detail, and high standards from sketch to production. It reflects the care we put into every decision — and it’s a reminder that sometimes the simplest elements are the most important.
"As an independent microbrand driven by a deep love for watchmaking, we are committed to creating timepieces that balance heritage-inspired design with modern craftsmanship," says Thomas Brissiaud, founder of Tessé Watches. "The Michel GMT is our take on a classic, designed for daily wear while evoking a sense of nostalgia and timeless elegance."
If you value clean design, quality construction, and watches that feel as good as they look, the Michel GMT is built for you.
Visit their website in tesse-watches.com
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