Trilobe is a contemporary independent watchmaker that has established a distinct presence in the horological world since its official launch in 2018. Based in Paris, France, the brand has gained recognition for its unconventional approach to timekeeping, specifically by replacing traditional moving hands with a system of rotating rings. This design philosophy, which emphasizes a “liberated” view of time, has allowed the young maison to carve out a unique niche within the highly competitive landscape of independent high watchmaking.
The company was founded by Gautier Massonneau, a French entrepreneur who currently serves as the brand’s CEO and creative director. Before entering the watch industry, Massonneau did not have a professional background in horology; instead, he built an impressive career in finance, working on infrastructure and project development in international hubs such as Tokyo, Dubai, and various regions in Africa. Despite this professional detour, he was raised in an environment that valued design and architecture, as both of his parents were architects.
Massonneau’s vision for Trilobe was born in 2013 from a desire to challenge the seven-century-old tradition of telling time with hands. Driven by a personal interest in shapes, textures, and intellectual challenges, he spent several years researching and developing a mechanical solution that could support his “eccentric” display concept. Lacking formal watchmaking training, he eventually partnered with Swiss experts, including the renowned Jean-Francois Mojon of Chronode and the specialist manufacture Le Cercle des Horlogers, to bring his technical drawings to life.
A primary reason enthusiasts are drawn to Trilobe is the brand’s commitment to poetic and architectural innovation. By removing hands, Trilobe forces the wearer to interact with the dial in a new way, focusing on three rotating rings that represent the “three pillars of time”: hours, minutes, and seconds. This “X-Centric” vision often appeals to collectors who seek timepieces that prioritize artistic expression and non-conformity without sacrificing the rigorous standards of Swiss mechanical engineering and high-end finishing.
The brand’s debut collection, Les Matinaux, was launched in December 2018 and remains a cornerstone of the brand’s identity. Named after a collection of poems by René Char, these watches established the signature Trilobe look: three concentric, rotating rings on a single plane, with the brand’s trefoil logo acting as the fixed indicator. This collection serves as the entry point into the brand, offering various dial colors and materials while maintaining the patented display system that first caught the industry’s attention.
Another key piece in the Trilobe catalog is the Nuit Fantastique, which provides a more minimalist and structured interpretation of the brand’s concept. This model features an off-center display where the minutes and seconds rings are intertwined in a figure-eight configuration, while the hour ring remains at the perimeter. The Nuit Fantastique has been a critical success for the brand, notably winning the “Petite Aiguille” prize at the 2022 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), a prestigious award that cemented its status among collectors.
For those interested in three-dimensional mechanics, the Une Folle Journée collection represents a significant technical leap. This model takes the concentric rings of the original design and elevates them 10.2mm off the dial using a series of nine pillars. Protected by a massive, bulbous sapphire crystal, the rings appear to levitate, offering a highly sculptural and transparent view of the movement. This piece emphasizes the brand’s focus on depth and volume, moving away from the flat dial structures of its earlier releases.
Trilobe also offers highly personalized timepieces through its “Secret” editions. This bespoke service allows a customer to provide a specific date, time, and location, which the brand then translates into a custom map of the stars hand-painted onto the watch dial. This map represents the exact position of the constellations for that chosen moment, effectively “freezing” a meaningful memory on the wearer’s wrist. This integration of celestial coordinates has become a popular feature for enthusiasts looking for an intimate, one-of-a-kind object.
A significant milestone for the brand occurred recently with the opening of its own watchmaking workshop in the heart of Paris. While the components of the watches continue to be sourced from specialized Swiss partners, the assembly, adjustment, and final testing of the movements have transitioned to this Parisian facility. This move marks the return of a manufacture to the French capital, a city with a rich horological history that had seen most major production move to Switzerland centuries ago.
The evolution of Trilobe continues with the introduction of the X-Nihilo calibre, the brand’s first manufacture movement designed and prototyped entirely in-house. This movement is featured in the Trente-Deux collection, which also introduces the brand’s first integrated metal bracelet. As Trilobe continues to develop its own movement architectures and expand its Parisian production capabilities, it maintains its original mission of redefining how time is measured and displayed, blending French creative intuition with traditional mechanical expertise.
