In the days before Covid-19, on December 17, 2018, Trilobe launched with a proposal that was unusual to say the least: no hour or minute hands, a proprietary movement, references to René Char and a price point well within the bounds of reason. Here was a brand intent on doing things its own way.
After a flying start at Baselworld (an institution that has since crashed and burned), after being shortlisted for the GPHG and more than doubling its estimate at Only Watch, Trilobe has continued its ascension with the introduction of an in-house movement in May 2020 (after a first calibre by the wonderful Jean-François Mojon), two more GPHG nominations and a distinctly unisex 38.5mm diameter.
Small steps
Trilobe still has a (long) way to go - not every start-up survives the three-year, even five-year, acid test -, but in a global pandemic, Gautier Massonneau’s decision that Trilobe shouldn’t run, and risk falling, before it can walk is a wise one. By cultivating an independent style and spirit, the brand has earned recognition from those whose world doesn’t begin and end with vintage, glittering celebrity endorsements and (yet another) party. Trilobe is taking small steps but never missteps, and this Goldilocks approach means it can look to the future with a certain degree of confidence.
Major league
This future will rest on (at least) three pillars. The first is a new collection, Nuit Fantastique, that will launch at Watches and Wonders where Trilobe can pride itself on exhibiting alongside the likes of Cartier, Rolex and Vacheron Constantin. The collection will share the same “time set in motion” DNA as its predecessors and while the prototypes are still under wraps, we can safely assume it will again be a case of “look, no hands!”.
On the block
The second pillar for 2021 will be a new creation for Only Watch. At a time when solidarity (between individuals, between countries, between generations) is more important than ever, Luc Pettavino’s heartwarming initiative will again win over collectors who, come November, will be itching to spend some of the loose change still sitting around after months of lockdown. It will also give Trilobe some first-class media exposure as the watches offered for auction go on view in Dubai, Paris, London, New York, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong then Taipei.
Times two
The third announcement, towards the end of the year, will be for a collaboration with a French architect. There are no names as yet, but a capsule collection will come out of this “Trilobe x”. Whereas others (HYT, Urwerk, Reservoir, MeisterSinger) rely on a single, albeit ingenious concept, Trilobe is ready to prove it has more than one idea up its sleeve. Time will tell, with or without hands!
