2015 marks the fifth birthday of the independent brand Ressence. A watch that when first released stood out for having no crown and lack of conventional hands to tell the time. To mark the anniversary of the brand introduces the Ressence Type 1 V Genesis. A limited edition of just 5 pieces.
Now you may be wondering, the watch looks unfinished. How come the the numerals have not been filled in with paint? Why does the main part of the dial have a rough appearance? As the Italians would say it looks rustico. Thats the way Benoît Mintiens intended it to look. The watch is intended to be It’s an expression rather of Ressence’s being a work in progress towards a fresh kind of fine watchmaking.
The dial has been sandblasted and the numerals are not filled in. The hands have been galvanized to provide a contrast so viewing the time is easier and thats it. The 42mm titanium case has not been touched after the machining process. Even the leather strap is left untreated, so that it will patina with time.
The time is displayed via ithe patented, 107-part Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS1). A complex mechanism driving convex sub-discs that continually revolve, as does the main disc. This was designed by Ressence and sits atop a heavily modified ETA movement. With no conventional hands, the dial can sit closer to the sapphire crystal covering it. It gives the illusion that there is nothing separating the wearer from reaching out and touching the dial.
Flipping the watch over reveals the crown-less winding system. The setting of the time, date and day and the winding can all be done at the back of the watch. A great way of keeping the silhouette of the watch smooth.
We think that Ressence took a novel approach to celebrating their birthday, by producing a timepiece that says the story of Ressence is still being written and has many chapters to go. Happy Birthday Ressence!
As stated earlier, the watch is limited to 5 pieces and will retail for $18,750 Euros (Excluding Taxes).
For more information please visit Ressence.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, seconds and day of the week
CASE: Titanium grade 5
Domed sapphire crystals top and bottom with both sides anti-reflective
coating
42mm (diameter) x 13mm (thickness)
1 ATM water-resistance
DIAL: Convex nickel silver dial (125mm radius) with 3 eccentric biaxial
satellites inclined at 3° (hours) and 4,75° (seconds and day of the
week)
Engraved indications
MOVEMENT: Patented ROCS1 (Ressence Orbital Convex System)
Crownless winding and date/time setting mechanism
Self-winding
36 hours power reserve
28,800 vibrations per hour
53 jewels – 27 gears
BUCKLE: 20mm, double folding clasp titanium grade 5
STRAP: Barenia calf leather
COMPONENTS: 208
PRICE: 18.750 EUR (excl. VAT)
PRODUCTION: Limited to 5 numbered pieces
