Barth Nussbaumer is a prominent Swiss watch designer and entrepreneur, recognized for his significant contributions to both established luxury houses and independent horological projects. Born in 1972, Nussbaumer’s professional foundation was built in the heart of the Swiss watchmaking industry. He completed his formal studies in jewelry making at the Art School in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a region renowned for its deep roots in horological craftsmanship and subcontracting.

Throughout his career, Nussbaumer has established a reputation as a versatile designer capable of working within the strict brand identities of major manufacturers while also pursuing avant-garde concepts. His portfolio includes high-profile projects such as the Grande Seconde for Jaquet Droz, the Dandy for Chaumet, the Koppel watch for Georg Jensen, and a Gulf edition for TAG Heuer. He has also contributed his design expertise to independent brands, including developing a dial for Petermann Bedat. Early in his career, he co-founded the design company White SA alongside Manuel Romero, emphasizing a humble, artisan-led approach to design that prioritizes meticulous detail over personal celebrity.

In 2020, Nussbaumer reached a new milestone in his career by co-founding Kollokium alongside industry veterans Manuel Emch and Amr Sindi. Conceived not as a traditional brand but as a project-based platform, Kollokium was born from a shared desire among the founders to create timepieces without the constraints of inherited frameworks or established aesthetic codes. The initiative allows Nussbaumer to explore “neobrutalist horology,” a style that blends industrial design, post-war brutalism, and retro-futuristic themes.

Under Nussbaumer’s creative guidance, Kollokium released its debut timepiece, Projekt 01, which features a distinctive three-dimensional dial composed of 468 hand-applied cylinders. He was also instrumental in the development of Projekt 02, a watch featuring a complex topographical dial. His work with the collective is characterized by the use of unconventional manufacturing techniques, such as die-casting steel cases, to achieve a raw, industrial finish. Today, Barth Nussbaumer continues to be a central figure in the independent watch scene, balancing traditional Swiss savoir-faire with a commitment to contemporary, disruptive design.