Those familiar with French brand Trilobe will know of its focus on unique time displays in all three of its collections – the Les Matinaux, Une Folle Journee, and the Nuit Fantastique. Of these, the Nuit Fantastique features hours rotating on the periphery, indicated by the Trilobe logo, and jumping minutes and rotating seconds in an off centre aperture and dial respectively. For Geneva Watch Days 2025, the brand has launched a new collection called the Trente-Deux, which features a similar display of time but with updated aesthetics and mechanics.
Trilobe Trente-DeuxTrente-Deux, which means 32 in French, takes its name from the address of the brand’s design studio and Parisian workshop, and was more than three years in development. While featuring the iconic off-center time display, its dial has now been reimagined with different finishes – grained, sunray-brushed, and deepened snailing; there is also stark circular chapter ring with satin-brushed and mirror-polished finish that borders the hour ring. The dimension of the case is also different at a 39.5 mm, falling midway between the 38.5 mm and 40.5 mm that the Nuit Fantastique is offered in.
The watch features a new integrated bracelet, fluted bezel, and movementThere are two variations offered – with a blue dial and a grey dial – both cast in 316L stainless steel. The case is also updated with mirror-polished surfaces alternating with satin-brushed and microblasted finishes, a fluted bezel with mirror-polished ridges and microblasted grooves, and a fluted push-button crown with protectors. There are asymmetrical lateral fins and a bevelled mid-case. The highlight though is the integrated bracelet shaped to perfectly hug the wrist, with tapering satin-brushed and bevelled links. The interlinks, polished to a mirror finish, recall Trilobe’s pointed shape. There is a double folding clasp engraved with the Trilobe logo. With no visible push buttons, it operates via a spring blade.
Details of the integrated braceletAnother major update is the movement powering the watch. Trilobe has debuted the X-Nihilo Calibre, “conceived, designed, developed, prototyped, machined, decorated, and assembled entirely in-house”. The unusual architecture revolves around an open island spotlighting an isolated, magnified balance wheel. The movement has a 42 hours power reserve.
The X-Nihilo Calibre is a beauty in itself, rich in myriad finishes – there are fine or raw grainings on the bridges and plates, black polishing on screws and brushing. The bridges have a satin finish, while the rhodium-plated gears display a circular brushing. Its skeletonised rotor offers a view of the minimalism underneath in every position, and the mirror-polished inner case reflects the movement to create depth. A 5N gold treatment ties it all together.
A view of the movement
The new watches represent Trilobe’s vision of developing everything in house. The movement is assembled in-house by a team of about ten skilled watchmakers, and a high-precision component production facility near Paris aids this. The Trente-Deux seems to be the first step in a new turn for the brand.
Images: Courtesy brand