Trilobe Opens New Paris Manufacturing Facility
Paris-based independent watch brand Trilobe has opened a new manufacturing facility in the city's Opéra district. The facility will handle the conception, design, prototyping, machining, decoration, and assembly of the brand's watch movements. The opening coincides with the debut of the Trente-Deux watch, which features the new X-Nihilo calibre.
Background and Development
Prior to this opening, Trilobe designed its movements and movement architecture internally in Paris. The brand's proprietary X-Centric calibre, which powers its signature eccentric ring time display, was developed in collaboration with the Cercle des Horlogers. Movement components were manufactured by specialist partners in Switzerland. Assembly and pre-assembly operations were moved to Paris in 2023.
According to statements from the brand, the decision to establish a full manufacturing facility was described as a natural progression as the company matured.
The team stated that bringing engineering, prototyping, machining, and watchmaking processes together under one roof was driven by a desire to support innovation and develop a true in-house calibre. The brand identified the main challenge as building the necessary team and infrastructure while preserving its independence and creative spirit.
Facility Operations and Capabilities
The new facility is designed to consolidate multiple stages of production. Key operational aspects include:
- Vertical Integration: The facility will handle movement conception, design, prototyping, machining, decoration, and assembly. The brand stated its goal is "meaningful independence over the elements that define our identity," rather than complete isolation. Certain highly specialized components, such as the balance spring, will continue to be sourced from external specialists.
- Collaborative Environment: The brand stated that a primary benefit of the new facility is the proximity of designers, engineers, and watchmakers, which it claims creates flexibility and agility in the development process.
- Testing Protocol: Each Trilobe timepiece undergoes 400 hours of movement performance testing before leaving the facility. This testing includes extended running tests, positional testing, and environmental simulations. The brand stated this level of testing limits production capacity, reinforcing its approach of producing limited quantities.
- Supply Chain and Quality: The brand stated the new facility secures its supply chain, allows for finer control over component quality, and provides freedom to explore new movement architectures and complications.
The Trente-Deux Watch and X-Nihilo Calibre
The first watch to feature a movement developed at the new facility is the Trente-Deux. This model is also Trilobe's first watch with an integrated bracelet.
The watch is powered by the X-Nihilo calibre, which the brand describes as its first effectively fully in-house movement. According to the brand, the design aim for the X-Nihilo was to create an expressive movement architecture that reflects its philosophy of rethinking time display.
A cited technical challenge was consolidating most of the movement's components beneath a large, self-supporting monolithic bridge.
Future Plans and Location
The brand stated that future watch collections will be developed using the new internal manufacturing expertise. Existing collections will remain part of the brand's product offerings.
The manufacturing facility will be opened for visits by collectors, partners, and members of the watch community. The brand stated these visits will be managed to protect the working environment.
The facility is located in Paris's Opéra district, an area historically associated with watchmaking brands such as Breguet, Le Roy, and Berthoud. The brand stated that being located in this environment is "both inspiring and meaningful," connecting its contemporary work with a tradition of horological innovation.