Led by William Massena and Louis Westphalen-Lemaitre, and with plans to raise millions in funding, the initiative will bring business incubator services to as many as four new independents each year.

The business incubator is coming to the watch bench with Ateliers Associés, a new venture promising business support, infrastructure, industry know-how, and contacts for independent watchmakers and young brands. The incubator is the brainchild of industry veterans William Massena of Massena LAB and Louis Westphalen-Lemaitre, a former Hodinkee staffer and most recently responsible for brand development and marketing at LVMH's Gérald Genta and Daniel Roth revivals.

William Massena

Business incubators, which provide capital, office and manufacturing facilities as well as corporate services and guidance to start-ups in return for a stake in the young companies they back, have been around for more than half a century.…