Ressence is the Belgian brand making waves in the watch world since its inception in 2010 by founder Benoît Mintiens.
With a fresh and contemporary view, its array of watches are designed with a unique ethos that transcends time itself. Here, we spotlight one of WatchPro’s favorite models that epitomizes Ressence’s philosophy: the TYPE 8.
Launched in 2022, the TYPE 8 marked the introduction of ultra-minimalism to the Ressence collection, a philosophy further expanded with the addition of the TYPE 9 in autumn 2024.
The TYPE 8 exemplifies Ressence’s ‘less is more’ philosophy, focusing on simplicity in both design and functionality. By eliminating superfluous details, it distills watchmaking to its essence: offering a pure time-reading experience with hours and minutes displayed through the patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS).
The minimalistic design, lightweight construction, and modern engineering achieve a perfect balance between elegant form and essential function.
The name Ressence originates from a contraction of two French words – “Renaissance” and “essentiel” – forming the concept of the rebirth of the essential.
It embodies the pursuit of a watch’s essence by combining its functional core – indicating time with high legibility – and its emotional essence: a timeless, tactile, and human-centered design.
Hands were removed, the crown replaced by a concealed caseback winding system, and even the sapphire’s refraction addressed, resulting in watches that are remarkably intuitive, tactile, and visually pure.
This simplicity is achieved through the sophisticated ROCS complication, a mechanism of over 200 components. At Ressence, complications are hidden and exist solely to serve an essential and simple watch design.
Luxury, for Ressence, is refined simplicity. Stripped of excess, the TYPE 8 embodies this vision with intentional design and easeful interaction, offering wearers a moment of clarity in a cluttered world. It stands as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of luxury and technology, paving the way for future creations that challenge conventions while staying true to the brand’s ethos.
At the heart of the TYPE 8 lies Ressence’s signature ROCS (Ressence Orbital Convex System), a mechanical module powered by a customized self-winding ETA 2892-A2 base movement.
The display consists of a rotating minute disc and a smaller hour disc that orbit around a central axis. The absence of traditional hands gives the watch a unique two-dimensional aesthetic.
The TYPE 8 features a Grade 5 titanium case, chosen for its exceptional strength, lightweight nature, and resistance to corrosion. With a diameter of 42.9mm, a thickness of 11mm, and weighing just 42 grams, it is one of the lightest Ressence watches, second only to the TYPE 9.
This feather-light construction enhances comfort and wearability, ensuring the watch feels almost imperceptible on the wrist.
Like other Ressence watches, the TYPE 8 has no crown. Time is set and the movement is wound using the rotating caseback, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted design.
The TYPE 8 is offered in vibrant cobalt blue, enhancing its modern and dynamic aesthetic. Its minimalist dial design and bold hues make it a versatile choice.
The TYPE 8 is positioned as one of Ressence’s more accessible models, with a retail price of CHF 13’500 (excluding taxes).