Kollokium is an independent watchmaking entity founded in 2020 that characterizes itself as a project-based platform rather than a traditional brand. The venture was established to explore alternative perspectives in horology without the constraints of inherited history or predefined artistic directions. By operating through specific projects, the platform aims to create mechanical timepieces that transcend conventional watchmaking while maintaining an analog foundation.
The platform was founded by three established figures in the watch industry: Manuel Emch, Barth Nussbaumer, and Amr Sindi. Each founder brings a distinct professional background to the project. Emch is a veteran manager known for leading brands such as Jaquet Droz and Raketa, and currently heading Louis Erard. Nussbaumer is a respected watch and jewelry designer with a portfolio that includes work for TAG Heuer and Georg Jensen. Sindi, known online as The Horophile, is an independent watch collector and consultant involved in numerous industry collaborations.
Kollokium’s design philosophy is centered on an aesthetic they term neubrutalist horology. This approach draws inspiration from diverse sources, including post-war brutalism, Kraftwerk’s synth-pop aesthetic, and the retro-futuristic landscapes of Philip K. Dick’s literature. Rather than adhering to a singular corporate style, each project is intended to capture and convey a specific mood, often blending industrial textures with fantastical design elements.
Enthusiasts are frequently drawn to the brand due to its radical departure from mainstream luxury aesthetics and its focus on industrial manufacturing techniques. The use of die-cast steel cases, which results in a raw and grainy texture, serves as a significant point of interest for collectors looking for watches that do not follow traditional milling or polishing standards. This deliberate lack of refinement is often cited as a key part of the brand’s appeal.
The first major release from the platform was Projekt 01, which debuted in late 2023. This piece introduced a distinctive three-dimensional dial architecture featuring 468 hand-applied cylindrical markers of varying heights and diameters. These markers are arranged to form a pixelated representation of traditional hour indexes, creating a topographical surface that is particularly noted for its visual depth and light play under a highly domed box sapphire crystal.
A defining characteristic of Projekt 01 is its use of Super-LumiNova. Each of the hundreds of pegs on the dial is hand-painted with luminous material, creating a striking visual effect in low-light conditions. While some critics have noted that this design can prioritize aesthetics over daylight legibility, the unique glowing patterns have contributed to the watch’s status as a conversational piece within the enthusiast community.
Building on the foundation of the first project, Kollokium introduced Projekt 02, which evolved the topographical theme. Instead of individual pegs, Projekt 02 features a dial composed of 67 individual dial plates stacked in nine vertical layers. This construction creates a literal hypsometric map on the wrist, with hand-painted tonal gradients shifting from light grey at the peaks to deep black in the crevasses to emphasize the three-dimensional nature of the design.
Technically, Kollokium utilizes reliable third-party movements to power its creations, specifically the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic caliber. This movement provides a 68-hour power reserve and was selected for its proven performance and compact dimensions. The founders are transparent about their choice to use external movements, opting to keep the calibers unbranded and unadorned to focus the wearer’s attention entirely on the case and dial innovation.
The brand’s approach to distribution is characterized by small-batch, limited-edition releases. For instance, initial variants of Projekt 01 were produced in runs as small as 99 pieces for friends and family, with subsequent public iterations typically ranging between 199 and 500 units. This scarcity, combined with the unconventional design language, has led to these pieces often selling out quickly upon release.
In summary, Kollokium represents a modern trend of designer-led watch projects that prioritize creative freedom and industrial artistry over traditional horological prestige. By combining the expertise of industry insiders with a neubrutalist aesthetic, the platform has carved out a unique niche in the independent market. Its key pieces, Projekt 01 and Projekt 02, remain central examples of how experimental manufacturing and 3D dial construction can redefine the appearance of a standard mechanical watch.
