Kollokium Projekt 02 Variant B

It’s finally here. Ever since the introduction of Projekt 02 as a Friends, Family, Fools & Flippers closed edition in September 2025, many have been left waiting and wondering. Projekt 02 Variant B makes its mark as the first publicly available edition of kollokium’s sophomore release, and it takes the topographical design to new heights (and depths). Featuring quite possibly the world’s first vertical gradient dial in a shift of grey to black across 9 layers, Projekt 02 Variant B is a limited edition of 299-pieces… plus 1 prototype that will be auctioned for a great cause.

It’s safe to say that kollokium is no longer in its freshman phase. Now in the project’s third year of output and sixth year since conception, there is still much to explore and express. The vision is clear, the inspirations are many, and the ideas are countless. Projekt 01 set the tone, and Projekt 02 proved that kollokium is not bound by a single idea, design, or anything for that matter. And so, for the first publicly available iteration of Projekt 02, we wanted it to be vastly different from the Friends, Family, Fools & Flippers edition that debuted K,P–n°02 a few months ago. While retaining the same overall design with its topographical multilayer dial and case that’s actually more sapphire crystal than metal, the execution gives Projekt 02 Variant B an entirely different vibe from its predecessor.

Across nine layers consisting of sixty-seven individual dial plates (with pegs and all), Projekt 02 Variant B brings back the much-loved color scheme of Projekt 01 Variant E (and a certain OG colorway of an emblematic sneaker from ’95) and ups the drama. With a vertical gradient shifting from light grey at the peaks to near-black in the dial’s lowest crevasses, Projekt 02 Variant B gives the term “depth” when describing dials a truly literal sense.

Tonal layering

Like all kollokium Projekts and Variants, a little cosmetic change goes a long way, but it also requires much more prep work than meets the eye. Projekt 02 FFF&F edition proved that it can be done. A flat, two-dimensional image transfigured into a true topographical dial, consisting of 67 stacked dial plates. Each is painted by hand with a lacquer infused with Super-LumiNova. For Variant B, we wanted to go even further.

Like a Hypsometric map, the idea was to highlight and dramaticize the three-dimensional nature of the topographical dial by having each level painted in a slightly different tone. The highest peaks of the dial, representing the twelve hour markers, are hand-painted in a light grey color, then each successive lower layer gets darker. Across sixty-seven dial plate and nine vertcial layers, the dial shifts from light grey to a deep black.

The process to perfect the gradient of luminescent paint was no easy feat. Besides the usual headache of finding the right grain sizes, opacity and consistency, creating a transitioning gradient that maintains a unifrom tone or hue took more trials than we’d like to remember. But the end result is totally worth the effort.

Brutalist artisanship

While kollokium’s designs are meant to evoke a sense of industrialism and rawness, behind the avant-garde object is a tremendous amount of manual, meticulous handwork. And because there’s no equivalent to base our work on, we end up having to find creative solutions to problems no one has encountered before. While we wouldn’t consider ourselves champions of traditional handcrafts, our watches require specialized hands and talent to materialize. We call it brutalist artisanship.

Projekt 02’s topographical dial is made in nine layers, composed of sixty-seven individual dial plates, which are individually hand-painted with a mix of lacquer and Super-Luminova, carefully avoiding the metal contours. These plates are then vertically stacked and pegged on top of each other, one at a time. It takes around 6 hours to assemble a single dial, and the plates can be prone to bending when pressed together, causing the entire dial to have to be discarded and the work starts all over again. Oh, the poor dial-makers…

It should be noted that given just how much of the dial work is done by hand, industriallevel perfection and super-tight tolerances are not the aim of the game for us. We rejoice in the fact that no two dials will be identical, and that some discrepancies are only natural in this kind of work. In fact, we’re so proud of it that we offer a full panoramic view of the dial through the tall sapphire crystal with rounded edges.

Monobloc case (or is it?)

One of the things that we believe makes kollokium stand out from the rest is our approach to making cases. Instead of the tried and tested methods of CNC milling or stamping (yuck), we use a method that isn’t commonly found in watchmaking: diecasting. By working with a mold, the molten 316L stainless steel can take on forms that would be difficult to achieve with other methods, while also exhibiting a unique matte texture that requires no finishing. It's steel in all its raw glory.

In Projekt 02, the case serves as a structural platform, upon which the topographical dial is built. With no distinct bezel (from the outside anyways), no caseback and no detachable lugs, it’s a single integrated unit that’s indivisible. The design is such that a slightly arched barrel-shaped central element appears to be held in place by four triangular lugs, as if welded together. No sharp angles, no straight lines. It’s all in the curves and tension. With a rounded bottom and downward lugs, the case sits very close to the wrist and wears surprisingly slim. With no visible logo or branding, the watch bears only one mark of its makers: the project’s full internal dossier or project name, K,P–n°02, in relief on the side of the case. On the opposite side, the signature kollokium triangular valve-shaped crown.

One of the elements that many of our customers adore about their kollokium watch is the strap. Light, elastic and breathable, the strap is inspired by outdoor gear (glamping trip, anyone?). The hook buckle, also in diecast steel to match the case, fastening system and stitched loops allow for easy size adjustment on the move.

kollokium ≠ watchmaker

We’re not pretending to be something we’re not. kollokium may be a lot of things (at least we like to think so), but a watchmaker on a bench isn’t one of them. For Projekt 02, we’re continuing to use Swiss movement manufacturer La Joux-Perret’s G101 automatic movement. With a power reserve of 68 hours, you can take it off on Friday and wear it again on Monday (though why anyone would want to remove it at all is beyond us, but hey). Since kollokium had nothing to do with the movement, it was decided to leave it completely unbranded and unadorned. It’s not like you can see it anyways ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

299 pieces +1 prototype to support the M.I.H.

In addition to the 299 pieces of Projekt 02 Variant B that will be available online and through kollokium’s offline retail network, we have decided to consign a prototype of the series to Marteau & Co.’s second online auction, “The Echo”, to support something that means a lot to all three founders.

The entirety of the proceeds from the online auction sale, which will take place from March 12 to March 19, will be donated to the Musée International d’Horlogerie (MIH) in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. A place that’s close to the hearts of kollokium’s three founders, who have all spent considerable time throughout their careers in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the MIH stands as one of the most important independent and comprehensive museums of horology.

Nestled right in the cradle of Swiss watchmaking, the building itself is an outstanding concrete structure from the 1970’s that seamlessly blends in with the surroundings. The museum is currently undergoing extensive renovations to the structure and is slated to reopen in Spring 2026. With this humble contribution, kollokium hopes to shine a light on the museum’s renovation endeavours and all it does to protect and transmit the passion and know-how of watchmaking in Switzerland and beyond.

A pop-up experience with Uhrsachen in Bern

There’s a first time for everything. Sometimes, it’s hard even for us to believe, but here we are. Together with our sole Swiss retail partner Uhrsachen in Bern, kollokium will inaugurate its first ephemeral boutique, by taking over a space in the city’s historical Theaterplatz, where visitors can experience our timepieces in an evocative setting. The kollokium pop-up @ Uhrsachen will open its doors on March 12 and will operate for several weeks. Visitors will be among the first to get hands-on with Projekt 02 Variant B.

The kollokium Projekt 02 Variant B is a limited edition of 299 pieces that will be available from kollokium.com on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 14:00 CET. Deliveries will take place towards the end of April 2026 until end of May 2026.

Prototype #1 of the watch will be available from Marteau & Co’s second online auction, “The Echo” taking place from March 12 to March 19. All proceeds from the sale of the piece will be donated to the Musée International d’Horlogerie (MIH).

Technical specifications

Kollokium Projekt 02 Variant B

Limited edition of 299 pieces

Case

• Material: Monobloc steel case topped by sapphire glass box
• Diameter: 39.5 mm
• Height without sapphire crystal: 5.90mm; Height with sapphire crystal: 12.40mm
• Valve-shaped crown
• Water-resistant to 5ATM

Dial and hands

• Topographical dial with 67 dial plates
• Black finish with sandblasted edges.
• Dial plates filled with a vertical gradient of lacquer in 9 tones,infused with blue emission Super-LumiNova
• Black hour and minute hands with applied Lichtblock™ elements in grey, blue emission Super-LumiNova
• Fluorescent yellow seconds hand with bent triangle counterweight

Movement

• La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement
• Diameter: 26mm
• Height: 4.45 mm
• Frequency: 4Hz / 28’800vph
• Number of jewels: 24
• Uni-directional unsigned winding rotor
• Power reserve: approximately 68 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, and seconds

Strap and buckle

• Anthracite elastic textile single-piece strap with “hook” buckle in die-cast steel

MSRP: CHF 3'666.66 (excl. taxes)

For more information, please visit kollokium.com