Trilobe - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

Trilobe, founded in 2018, is a Paris-based house envisioned by Gautier Massonneau, speaking to enthusiasts of contemporary watchmaking who seek a memorable, off-center reading of time without drifting into gratuitous complexity.

Hands-free display: three rings in motion

The brand’s signature architecture is “handless”: three off-centered discs — hours, minutes, seconds — rotate counterclockwise while a fixed marker frames the reading. This kinematics is powered by the X-Centric automatic calibre with micro-rotor, developed for the brand, whose openworked bridges and finely grained finishes echo the spirit of the dial. The result is a display that becomes intuitive after a few minutes on the wrist, anchoring the watch in the moment without mimicking classic codes.

Les Matinaux, Nuit Fantastique, Une Folle Journée: three pillars shaping the range

The collection is built around three families with complementary roles, each using the same display grammar while differing in dials and volumes. This coherence streamlines the decision: you first pick a “degree of expressiveness,” then choose your color or material variant.

• Trilobe Les Matinaux — The most pared-back line: three coplanar rings, titanium or gold cases, everyday elegance.
• Trilobe Les Matinaux L’Heure Exquise — Adds a graphic moonphase; limited runs depending on version, a more lyrical spirit.
• Trilobe Nuit Fantastique — Fine-grained dial and a figure-eight layout for minutes/seconds; the “Dune” variant won the 2022 GPHG Petite Aiguille.
• Trilobe Nuit Fantastique Secret — Personalized star map (date/time/place) printed on the dial; each piece is unique.
• Trilobe Une Folle Journée — “Floating” rings in relief under a domed crystal, a striking three-dimensional presence with a sculptural feel.

Positioning, pricing and distribution: mechanical poetry in the high-end segment

Trilobe sits within the independent high-end bracket, with entry pricing around €9,500 (incl. VAT) for titanium “Nuit Fantastique” versions, about €12,800–14,500 (incl. VAT) for “L’Heure Exquise” depending on configuration, roughly €20,400 (ex-tax/market dependent) for “Une Folle Journée” in titanium, and occasional high-jewellery editions in the six-figure range; exact volumes are not disclosed. Distribution blends direct sales and a network of selected retail partners, with increased visibility at Geneva fairs and major watch events. The typical buyer is a curious collector, design- and narrative-driven, seeking a reading complication rather than a checklist of functions.

Conclusion

Trilobe is for those who want a contemporary watch instantly identified by its handless display, yet wearable day to day. The families cover three degrees of expression — discreet, graphic, sculptural — to match use case and personality. Choose first by display architecture (flat, figure-eight, or in relief), then by material and size, keeping in mind the reading experience you want. To validate your choice and compare perception with real-world use, rely on Dialicious customer reviews before purchasing.

(Updated August 2025)