At the most basic level, Trilobe’s latest is a new twist on the sportier Trente-Deux collection with a very nice, deep red dial. Unsurprisingly, the French brand has taken this seemingly simple dial makeover and transformed it into a story of brand expression and identity by linking it to something quintessentially French. Wine.

Specifically Burgundy. Trilobe has paired the dial of this watch with great French wines, bringing in concepts of terroir and robe (the colour and appearance of wine) into its Trente Deux model. The dial hasn’t been picked from a Pantone chart, but from a wine rack; the dominant dial details are a matt sunburst with a glossy, lacquer finish, contrasted by finely grained timekeeping discs and accented by brushed, chamfered lines in the applied steel dial detailing. The overall presentation is rich, resplendent and not at all on the nose.

Framing this new dial are the more familiar elements of the case. The integrated case, with its coin-edge bezel, is familiar both for fans of Trilobe and sporty watches more generally. The movement, Trilobe’s own X-Nihilo, is still a highlight, dramatic enough to rival the dial with its stark architecture reminiscent of classic pocket watches, and finished in a manner that speaks to the confidence of the young brand.

The Trilobe Trente-Deux is already a compelling package, and this incredibly rich red dial only adds to the allure. However, for some francophiles, the icing on the cake (or should that be the dusted sugar on the mille-feuille) will be the fact that the first 100 watches come with a special bottle of French wine, along with an exclusive caseback engraving. Beyond this, the watch will enter the regular Trilobe collection.

Tech Specs: Trilobe Château Trente-Deux

Movement X-Nihilo manufacture movement, automatic with 42 hours of power reserve
Functions Hours, minutes, seconds
Case Stainless steel, 39.5 x 46.18 x 10.5mm, water resistant to 50M
Dial Deep red, matte sunburst finish on main disc, grained on the hour and minute discs
Strap Steel bracelet with double deployant
Price Euro 17,500 excl. taxes