PROJEKT 01 - VARIANT "F"

Let there be violet light.

At Swiss Gallery UK, we are drawn to watches that push beyond surface-level aesthetics, and Kollokium Projekt 01 Variant “F” does precisely that. This is not a cosmetic evolution, but the first truly faithful alternative expression of Projekt 01 since the original Friends, Family and Fools edition unveiled at the end of 2023.

Variant “F” introduces an extraordinary approach to luminosity, quite possibly unprecedented in modern watchmaking. At its core is Lichtblock™, a proprietary ceramic-resin material infused with an exceptional volume of violet-emission Super-LumiNova. The result is a rare and arresting glow, one that elevates chromatics and low-light legibility to an entirely new level. Limited to just 399 pieces worldwide, this is Kollokium at its most uncompromising.

Luminosity is never just about colour. It is about volume, density, and consistency. Violet light, far less perceptible to the human eye than green or blue, demands an entirely different approach. Rather than simply filling the hollow tips of traditional metal pins, Kollokium reimagined the architecture altogether, creating the pins themselves entirely from luminous material. Achieving this was anything but straightforward.

After nearly two years of development, testing, and refinement, Kollokium succeeded in producing 488 individual luminous pin elements across six different sizes, each delivering consistent intensity and controlled translucency. The amount of Super-LumiNova required is staggering, equivalent to that used in approximately 500 conventional watch dials. Lichtblock™ is not a flourish; it is an engineering statement.

As with every Kollokium Projekt, the dial is assembled through an exacting, unforgiving process. Each pin is placed by hand. Any misalignment, any imperfection, and the entire dial is discarded and rebuilt from the beginning. This obsessive approach is not about perfection in the traditional sense, but about honesty of execution. The result carries a raw, industrial character that cannot be replicated through mass production.

That philosophy extends naturally to the case. Forged from 316L stainless steel, the Projekt 01 case is not machined or milled conventionally. Instead, it is die-cast using molten steel, an old-school industrial process rarely, if ever, applied to watchmaking. The objective was clear: to create a form with no decorative finishing, no polishing, no cosmetic distraction.

The resulting surface is unique. Neither matte nor frosted, neither polished nor brushed, it carries a texture that is visually rugged yet unexpectedly soft to the touch. The die-casting process naturally rounds edges and angles, giving the case a functional, tool-like presence that stands in direct opposition to the pristine finishes found in traditional Swiss watchmaking.

Projekt 01 Variant “F” is not designed to please everyone. It exists for those who appreciate material honesty, mechanical conviction, and the beauty found in controlled imperfection. At Swiss Gallery UK, this is precisely the kind of watch we are proud to present.