A few days ago on Instagram we posted a video of a Ressence Type 1° Round and since then it has become a craze. Within 5 days the video has been viewed by 4.000.000 – yes, million – people and it doesn’t seem to stop. That is why we decided to dedicate an article to it and tell more about the watch and the philosophy of the brand that created it.
Ressence is a name that has always embodied innovation in the world of luxury watchmaking, with a design philosophy based on purity of form and functionality with an entirely unconventional eye. The TYPE 1st Round represents the latest step in this ongoing mission to renew the way we interact with time.
To learn more about Ressence history read our article here.
Design and Philosophy
The TYPE 1° Round retains the restraint and simplicity that have made Ressence a distinctive choice among watch enthusiasts. Incorporating the patented ROCS 1.3 (Ressence Orbital Convex System) module, the watch combines the sensuality of the TYPE 3 design with the linearity of the TYPE 1. As Benoît Mintiens, founder of Ressence, says, “Better design is less design; function must prevail.”
The most peculiar thing about Ressence watches is definitely the unconventional way of indicating the time. In fact, the individual hands are replaced by rotating discs on which the “hand” is drawn, surrounded by fixed rings containing the markers. Each of the discs rotates causing the hand to move, which marks on the peripheral ring the indication.
Attention to detail has always been one of the driving forces behind Ressence’s success, and the TYPE 1st Round is no exception. The new “Night Blue” color adds an emotional dimension to the visceral experience of time. The addition of larger hands for seconds and days of the week and hour markers every 10 minutes on the dial increase readability without sacrificing aesthetics.
Another notable feature is the absence of a crown. When you set the watch, you are also winding it-an intuitive process that mirrors the experience of setting an old wall clock. This ergonomic design makes it comfortable to wear for both right- and left-handed people.
The latter, combined with the characteristic way of marking the time, is certainly one of the features that most attracted the curious on our video, as we are able to move the entire dial through the special “lever” on the back of the case.
Technical details
To go into a little more detail, the watch case is made of grade 5 titanium. The measurements of 42.5 mm in diameter and 11 mm thick, combined with the tapered shape of the case mean that the watch blends in well under the wristband. Nevertheless, given the absence of a bezel and the curved sapphire crystal that “hugs” the entire dial, these 42.5 mm are quite large. The dial, in its entirety, is made of convex silver
The ROCS 1.3 caliber mounted on the watch enables the Ressence Type 1° Round to display hours, minutes, seconds and days of the week. The minute disc is the one that also includes all the other discs, which will move in unison along with the minute hand in a translatory motion that preserves its orientation.
The result is a very elegant dance of all the elements on the dial. This is probably what most attracted fans to our reel.
Price and availability
With a price of CHF 16,800 (excluding tax), the TYPE 1° Round is available in two finishes – Black and Night Blue.
Final thoughts
Ressence’s TYPE 1° Round is much more than a watch; it is an expression of the ingenuity and passion that define the brand. It is a watch that not only tells you the time, but also makes you appreciate time itself in a whole new way. The dance that is created by the synchronous movement of the elements on the dial is truly irresistible … and 4 million people can attest to it
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