Kollokium: A revolutionary force in watchmaking with design at its core

With its inaugural release, Kollokium has firmly established itself as the antithesis of conventional branding in the watchmaking world. On 13th of October, the industry witnessed the unveiling of this groundbreaking platform, marked by its distinctive industrial die-cast steel case and a visually striking 3D dial, adorned with cylindrical pegs.

The Genesis of Kollokium

The brainchild of three industry luminaries: Manuel Emch (right), Barth Nussbaumer (middle), and Amr Sindi (left).

Manuel Emch, celebrated for reinvigorating renowned watch brands like Jaquet Droz and Romain Jerome, brings his creative and artistic vision to Kollokium. He is joined by Amr Sindi, known as “The Horophile,” a prominent figure in the indie watch scene with a vibrant and varied collection. Completing the trio is Barth Nussbaumer, a distinguished watch designer responsible for iconic creations like Jaquet Droz's Grande Seconde and TAG Heuer's Gulf edition.

Kollokium is not just another watch brand, it is a project-based platform that is poised to revolutionise the watch scene with its unique approach.

Eschewing traditional artistic direction, historical narratives, and design constraints, Kollokium champions unbridled creativity and freedom. Drawing inspiration from architecture, art, and design, the platform transcends stylistic norms, focusing instead on embodying a specific mood or atmosphere. This philosophy is vividly embodied in their debut offering, Projekt 01, which melds raw industrial aesthetics with an innovative 3D dial.

Projekt 01: Aesthetics

Projekt 01 is a testament to the brand's commitment to unconventional design. The 40mm stainless steel case, crafted not through traditional milling but via die casting, showcases a robust and textured finish, offering a tactile experience unlike any other. This process, common in marine and automotive industries, involves high-pressure molten alloys being poured into molds, resulting in a case that's not only visually striking but also pleasing to the touch.

The dial of Projekt 01 is a marvel of engineering and art. Resembling the Pin Art Screens of the 1980s, it features 468 hand-applied cylindrical pegs, each sandblasted and filled with orange Super-LumiNova. This unique approach creates a captivating visual effect, with the black hour and minute hands, outlined in Super-LumiNova, appearing to float above the pegs. The neon orange lacquered seconds hand adds a vivid touch to the ensemble.

Inside the Projekt 01: La Joux-Perret G101 Movement

Kollokium's commitment to quality and performance is evident in its choice of the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement. A robust alternative to the ETA 2824, this movement ensures reliability and a substantial 68-hour power reserve. This movement remains unbranded and unadorned, hidden beneath the solid caseback. We would appreciated an open caseback though.

Availability & Pricing

The Kollokium Projekt 01, initially released in a limited series of 99 pieces for friends and family, will see its first public release in early 2024. Priced at CHF 2,666.66, this timepiece is not just a watch; it's a statement