The Trilobe Nuit Fantastique Editions Shadow and Light

Elegantly original with a slightly poetical twist and yet serious watchmaking credentials, Trilobe is a young French brand founded by Gautier Massonneau and specialized in watches that tell the time differently. Next to the inaugural Les Matinaux and the eccentric, complex Une Folle Journée, the Nuit Fantastique represents the timeless and elegant option of the brand. Available already in multiple editions, including the appealing dune and green versions here, it’s now back in two editions playing on black and white contrasts, the Nuit Fantastique Editions Ombre et Lumière (or Shadow and Light).

The name Trilobe indicates the three pillars of the time – hours, minutes and seconds – and is a way to remind what the display defined by the brand in all its watches so far is all about. What makes Trilobe watches special is the use of separate discs to indicate each of the time components. While Les Matinaux does it in a slightly more impactful way, the Nuit Fantastique keeps things discreet and refined, with the hours placed on a peripheral ring that rotates in a counter-clockwise direction and aligns with the static trilobe logo at noon, and a figure-eight configuration (symbol of infinity) with intertwined minutes and seconds placed on the left side of the dial. The result is a fairly spacious dial and a minimalistic design that, for an odd reason, never feels empty…

The new Nuit Fantastique Editions Shadow and Light retain everything that has made the previous models successful, starting with a choice of diameter for the case, either 38.5mm or 40.5mm. This thin case is made of grade 5 titanium, with brushed and polished surfaces, and a classic, contemporary shape overall. Sapphire crystals frame the watch and its boasts a 50m water-resistance.

What’s new this year are the dials. While black and silvery-white models were already available in the collection, these Nuit Fantastique Editions Shadow and Light add a touch of contrast, while the previous editions were monochromatic. The grained base is either white or black, with discs for the minutes and seconds in contrasting black or white. The centre of the seconds disc retains a clou de Paris pattern, adding some depth to this original, simplistic display. All models are paired with a black alligator strap.

Inside the case is the Calibre X-centric, conceived by Jean-François Mojon, made by Le Cercle des Horlogers. This large micro-rotor automatic movement is built around a pleasant vertical alignment and features grey micro-blasted bridges and plates. The movement beats at a frequency of 28,800vph and delivers a power reserve of 48 hours.

Integrated into the permanent collection, the Trilobe Nuit Fantastique Editions Ombre et Lumière are priced at EUR 10,800 (incl. taxes), whatever the colour or size. For more details, please visit trilobe.com.