Ready to dive into the world of horology with a twist? The Kollokium Projekt 01 Variant G is here, and it's not your average timepiece. This isn't just a watch; it's a statement, a concept, a collaboration that's been turning heads for two years and is now entering its sixth iteration! But what exactly is Kollokium? Is it a brand? A design studio? A group of friends? The answer, surprisingly, is a bit of everything.
Kollokium, masterminded by Manuel Emch, Barth Nussbaumer, and Amr Sindi (The Horophile), defies easy categorization. They aren't traditional watchmakers crafting in-house movements. Instead, they're all about pushing boundaries and challenging conventions.
The Projekt 01 Variant G, the latest in their series, stays true to its neo-brutalist roots with a die-cast steel case. It's a design that's both raw and refined. The case measures a wearable 40mm in diameter, featuring a cylindrical mid-case and a barrel-shaped base with unique lugs. A cylindrical sapphire crystal offers a clear view, while the raw steel back ensures a 50m water resistance.
But here's where it gets interesting: the dial. The Variant G introduces a fresh, unexpected color palette. While previous versions experimented with colors like purple, this time, they've opted for a softer, lighter approach. Imagine a dial awash in shades of blue, with a light background and darker studs. This design is not only visually striking but also makes the watch incredibly easy to read.
The Variant G offers a choice of two handsets:
- G1: Blue PVD hour and minute hands with blue Super-LumiNova centers, and a white seconds hand.
- G2: White hour and minute hands with blue PVD centers, and a blue PVD seconds hand.
The team couldn't decide, so they released both! The dial itself is a work of art, with 468 steel pins meticulously hand-applied in varying widths and heights. These pins are then filled with luminescent blue pigments, creating the hour markers. This complex design is surprisingly legible, especially at night.
Powering this unique timepiece is an automatic G101 calibre from La Joux-Perret, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offering a generous 68-hour power reserve. The watch comes with a single-piece navy blue elastic textile strap with a hook fastening system for ultimate comfort and adjustability.
The Kollokium Projekt 01 Variant G is a limited edition of only 499 pieces, available on the brand's website and at select retailers. It's priced at CHF 2,999 (excluding taxes).
What do you think of this fresh take on the neo-brutalist aesthetic? Is the blue dial a welcome change, or do you prefer the darker, more monochromatic versions? Let us know in the comments!
