Few new brands manage to make a bold statement with their debut, but Kollokium is not most brands. With the freshly announced Projekt 01 Variant F, this young Berlin-based collective—co-founded by veteran designer Eric Giroud and industry consultant Fabrice Gonet—delivers a timepiece that doesn’t try to look luxurious. Instead, it feels purposeful. Brutalist, utilitarian, almost anti-design in its form, this watch immediately sets itself apart in the oversaturated field of minimalist horology.
Kollokium: Where concept and craft collide
Founded in 2023, Kollokium is not just a watch brand—it’s a design laboratory. Positioned at the intersection of industrial design and contemporary watchmaking, the brand is fueled by a collaborative approach that breaks traditional molds. The Projekt 01 series was conceived to challenge preconceptions about what a modern mechanical watch should look and feel like. With its unapologetically raw appearance and Bauhaus-overturned aesthetic, the Projekt 01 line is clearly not about heritage—it’s about honesty. The Variant F takes this philosophy further by embracing function-first design with an added visual punch.
Under the surface: What makes the Variant F tick
At the core of the Projekt 01 Variant F lies a 40mm case made from bead-blasted stainless steel, delivering a soft matte texture that absorbs light rather than reflecting it. The square-rounded form evokes early computer-era hardware, yet it’s shaped for comfort with short, seamless lugs. Inside, the watch is powered by the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement, a Swiss caliber offering 68 hours of power reserve, hacking seconds, and bidirectional winding—a reliable choice for a young brand unwilling to compromise on substance.
One of the most distinctive elements is the mono-lug construction, a feature that removes visible spring bars in favor of a hidden attachment system. The strap flows directly into the case, giving the piece a smooth, integrated look that is rare in this price segment. The dial, a central element of the Variant F, showcases a deep matte forest green base with printed white numerals and concentric circles reminiscent of radar screens or technical schematics. There’s no lume, no date, no applied indices—just raw, thoughtful composition.
Form follows function—and then redefines it
This is a watch clearly aimed at design-savvy enthusiasts, those who appreciate watches as objects of concept rather than heritage. The Variant F rejects the typical codes of sport, dress, or tool watch categories. Its graphic dial, pared-down case and monochrome palette make it feel equally at home in a creative studio, architectural bureau, or on the wrist of someone who collects Dieter Rams furniture. The design draws subtly from brutalism, cyberpunk minimalism and even old-school German lab instruments—but without falling into parody. It’s quiet, cerebral and tactile.
Despite its avant-garde edge, the watch remains wearable. Its compact dimensions, flat caseback and clean ergonomics make it a comfortable daily companion. This isn’t a watch for everyone—and that’s precisely the point.
Final thoughts: A bold debut with staying power
The Kollokium Projekt 01 Variant F is not about nostalgia, status or hype. It’s about purposeful design, mechanical integrity, and a vision that feels refreshingly new. With a retail price of CHF 3,666.66, it offers tremendous value for an independently produced, Swiss-powered, design-driven timepiece. The Variant F is available now for pre-order, with deliveries expected in late 2025, in a limited production of 399 pieces.
For those seeking a watch that breaks the mold while still ticking all the horological boxes, this one’s worth a closer look. And honestly? Writing about this one felt like a conversation with a fellow design nerd—hope you felt it too…which is reminding us of an ever more ambitious watch : the MB&F HM8 Mark 2.
