When somebody says Belgium, the first thing that comes to mind for many people is beautiful cities like Ghent and Bruges and the nearly endless array of specialty beers. While the Belgians didn’t invent this beverage, they have indeed perfected it.

There are quite a few avid connoisseurs and watch collectors in Belgium, and the country even has a few brands of its own. While not that many, those that exist do carry something of a big stick. In particular Ressence, which has reinvented the way that time is displayed. Instead of becoming a one-trick pony, though, Ressence has cleverly further developed its technology, combining it with ever savvier designs.

Ressence Type 8

Ressence Type 8: core “DNA”

With the Type 8, Ressence goes to the core of its “DNA.” In fact, with it Ressence seems to be exploring an even stronger sense of purity than what we have seen before. That says something as Ressence was already a master in toning down design to achieve maximum impact and legibility.

Ressence Type 8

We can call the Type 8 a futuristic type of dress watch. Its hidden lugs and UFO-shaped case are somewhat reminiscent of Marc Newson’s work for Ikepod, though this Ressence model is a very different animal. It has been kept as slim as possible, and the case back and strap attachment translate the Type 8 into a real wrist-hugger. Ressence also forgoes a complex folding clasp, choosing instead to have a perfectly styled buckle to match the watch.

Ressence Type 8

Ressence opted for titanium as the metal of choice here, so the Type 8 is ridiculously light, weighing just 42 grams. This further adds to its wearing comfort, as does its diameter of 42.9 mm. For me, wearing comfort has become an increasingly important factor as I have noticed that even the coolest watch in my collection hardly gets any wrist time if it is not that comfortable to wear.

Form, function, and wearing comfort all need to be balanced, and with the Type 8 Ressence has hit the sweet spot.

Ressence Type 8

Ressence Type 8: dial of the future

Did I already mention the matte cobalt blue dial? I should have because as well-designed as the case is, the dial is even better. Why? Because of the empty space.

As it only displays the hours and minutes, the Ressence Type 8 has quite a bit of leftover space that founder, owner, and designer Benoît Mintiens has chosen not to fill in. Now the dial has become more of an ever-changing painting, and watching it almost becomes a form of meditation.

Ressence Type 8

In fact, with the Type 8 I feel that Ressence is entering a new era of its development. With this purer form, it is not solely about the innovative way that this timepiece displays the time. There is room for more. In the (near) future I can very much see Ressence capitalizing on this opportunity by introducing more creative arts in the Type 8, arts that are not so much about the function, but do further develop the form.

Ressence Type 8: if it works, don’t touch it

The essence of the Type 8 is the same as that of the previous models. It features the patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS) powered by a reliable ETA 2892-2 automatic movement.

Ressence Type 8 case back

Dispensing with a crown, the Type 8 is wound and set by simply turning the watch’s back bezel.

Instead of centrally mounted hands, the Ressence Type 8 also consists of a titanium dome that rotates to display the minutes and a smaller dial that turns on its own axis to indicate the hours.

Ressence Type 8 dial detail

The indications are engraved and filled with Blue Super-LumiNova, ensuring that the Type 8 is also a joy to look at in low-light conditions, with the added advantage that you can also tell the time.

Ressence Type 8

This might be a strange remark, but while the Type 8 is practical, legible, and a very functional timepiece, I consider it most of all an objet d’art, a design statement, and one of the nicest watches I have seen introduced this year.

For more information, please visit ressencewatches.com.

Quick Facts Ressence Type 8
Case: 42.9 x 11 mm, polished and brushed titanium
Movement: modified automatic ETA Caliber 2892/A with patented ROCS module, 36-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph/4 Hz frequency
Functions: hours, minutes
Price: 12,500 Swiss francs

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