INTRODUCING: The Trilobe Une Folle Journée – a watch that lives up to its crazy name
Fergus NashTrilobe is admittedly a rather strange name for a rather strange brand, but it’s that level of oddity that so often creates fantastic watches when paired with next level engineering. The Trilobe Une Folle Journée means “A Crazy Day”, and one look at the watch explains it all.
Trilobe began from the creation of the X-Centric movement from which all of their subsequent releases have been based, utilising a series of three thin rotating rings that are laid out to tell the hours, minutes and seconds from the outside in. The asymmetrical layout of the rings flows into a creative space that deals with time in the abstract, while the back of the movement is inspired by brutalist architecture. The components are laid out in strict horizontal and vertical lines, as well as being coated black to give a bit of brooding contrast from whatever exciting dial option the movement has been used with. With the Une Folle Journée, the X-Centric movement is still fascinating to look at, but it doesn’t hold a candle to what the front of the watch has to offer.
Extremely domed sapphire crystals aren’t unheard of in luxury Swiss watches, especially complicated ones, however the Trilobe Une Folle Journée suits the bubble look magnificently, and doesn’t feel like an unnecessary gimmick. With the dial being completely skeletonised, Trilobe have raised up the time-telling rings to slope beneath the extreme curvature of the crystal, forming a sci-fi UFO profile on the wrist. Each of the raised platforms have had their edges meticulously polished for an even spacier effect. Reading the time, while it’s not the main purpose of this watch by any means, is actually relatively simple. There is a red arrow at the base of the dial, whose bottom points to the hour ring and whose tip points at the minutes ring. As the rings move anti-clockwise, it’s definitely aiming to challenge your preconceptions of conventional watches.
The expression of such extremes does come with the price of not-so-subtle dimensions, although given the attitude of the watch it might be a feature that it stands out on-wrist. The overall thickness including the crystal is 17.8mm, with 7.6mm of that total being accounted for by the dome. The grade 5 titanium case is actually quite friendly in itself, with a diameter of 40.5mm and a lug-to-lug of 48mm. The finishing on the case can’t be ignored either, with delicate polished strips and front-facing surfaces and a cleanly brushed mid-section. The crown has a deep engraving of the Trilobe logo, which is noteworthy as the logo doesn’t appear anywhere on the dial. The Trilobe Une Folle Journée is available with either blue timing rings and a matching leather strap or an all-black version.
The Trilobe Une Folle Journée pricing and availability:
The Trilobe Une Folle Journée is available for reservation at Trilobe’s website here. Price: $21,700 USD
| Case Material | Titanium |
| Case Dimensions | 40.5mm x 48mm x 17.8 mm |
| Water-Resistance | 50m |
| Dial | Skeletonised Blue / Black |
| Straps | Blue / Black Leather with Pin Buckle |
| Movement | X-Centric |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, seconds, patented display concept |
| Price | $21,700 USD |