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Work beside a master watchmaker in Zurich’s Atelier to disassemble and reassemble a Unitas pocket movement. This intimate 1–2 hour workshop pairs practical technique with a short history of Swiss watchmaking and hands-on instruction.
Work beside a master watchmaker in Zurich’s Atelier to disassemble and reassemble a Unitas pocket movement. This intimate 1–2 hour workshop pairs practical technique with a short history of Swiss watchmaking and hands-on instruction.
You step into a small Atelier in central Zurich: light concentrates on a wooden bench, the tang of oil and metal hangs in the air, and a magnifying loupe waits like a tiny telescope. The Dreifuss family greets you, and the room shrinks to the slow rhythm of gears and fingertips — a close, deliberate world where a Unitas pocket movement becomes a lesson in patience.
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Operated by MDM | Maurice de Mauriac | Watches made by Zurich · Zurich, Zurich
You step into a small Atelier in central Zurich: light concentrates on a wooden bench, the tang of oil and metal hangs in the air, and a magnifying loupe waits like a tiny telescope. The Dreifuss family greets you, and the room shrinks to the slow rhythm of gears and fingertips — a close, deliberate world where a Unitas pocket movement becomes a lesson in patience.
The workshop frames that intimacy with context. Maurice de Mauriac is an independent Zurich atelier that teaches the craft amid Switzerland’s long watchmaking lineage that began in the Jura and spread worldwide. You’ll hear how movements evolved from industrial spindles to hand-finished calibers and why the Unitas has been a workhorse for manual timepieces.
Zurich itself sits where glacier-swept valleys meet the Limmat river; the city’s precise, ordered streets reflect the same culture of detail you’ll find at the bench. Expect a mix of technical explanation — escapement, mainspring, balance wheel — and hands-on practice: disassembling and reassembling parts under the watchmaker’s eye while wearing a loupe and watchmaker’s coat.
Practically: sessions run about 60–120 minutes, are wheelchair accessible, and allow photos. No prior experience is needed, but fine motor control and focus make the time more rewarding. Bottled water and light refreshments are included, and you’ll leave with a small keepsake from the Atelier. Book in advance for specific language requests, arrive with clean, trimmed nails and steady hands, and plan to pair this intimate craft lesson with a stroll along the Limmat to see how Zurich’s geology and urban calm shaped its crafts culture.
easy.
1–2 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires steady hands and the ability to sit and focus for up to two hours.
No. The workshop is designed for beginners; the watchmaker guides you step-by-step through disassembling and reassembling parts.
You work on a Unitas pocket movement under supervision and receive a keepsake from the Atelier; a fully serviced, wearable watch is not guaranteed as part of the session.
Children can attend but must be accompanied by an adult; small parts and tools make this better suited to older children with good focus.
Full refund available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time; no refund within 24 hours.
Maurice de Mauriac is a Zurich-based independent watch atelier operating within Switzerland’s broader watchmaking tradition that traces its roots to the Jura watchmakers of the 18th century.
The Atelier emphasizes small-batch craftsmanship which has a lower production footprint than large manufacturing; visitors are encouraged to respect tools and dispose of waste oils responsibly.
MDM | Maurice de Mauriac | Watches made by Zurich operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step into a small Atelier in central Zurich: light concentrates on a wooden bench, the tang of oil and metal hangs in the air, and a magnifying loupe waits like a tiny telescope. The Dreifuss family greets you, and the room shrinks to the slow rhythm of gears and fingertips — a close, deliberate world where a Unitas pocket movement becomes a lesson in patience.
You step into a small Atelier in central Zurich: light concentrates on a wooden bench, the tang of oil and metal hangs in the air, and a magnifying loupe waits like a tiny telescope. The Dreifuss family greets you, and the room shrinks to the slow rhythm of gears and fingertips — a close, deliberate world where a Unitas pocket movement becomes a lesson in patience.
The workshop frames that intimacy with context. Maurice de Mauriac is an independent Zurich atelier that teaches the craft amid Switzerland’s long watchmaking lineage that began in the Jura and spread worldwide. You’ll hear how movements evolved from industrial spindles to hand-finished calibers and why the Unitas has been a workhorse for manual timepieces.
Zurich itself sits where glacier-swept valleys meet the Limmat river; the city’s precise, ordered streets reflect the same culture of detail you’ll find at the bench. Expect a mix of technical explanation — escapement, mainspring, balance wheel — and hands-on practice: disassembling and reassembling parts under the watchmaker’s eye while wearing a loupe and watchmaker’s coat.
Practically: sessions run about 60–120 minutes, are wheelchair accessible, and allow photos. No prior experience is needed, but fine motor control and focus make the time more rewarding. Bottled water and light refreshments are included, and you’ll leave with a small keepsake from the Atelier. Book in advance for specific language requests, arrive with clean, trimmed nails and steady hands, and plan to pair this intimate craft lesson with a stroll along the Limmat to see how Zurich’s geology and urban calm shaped its crafts culture.