Mark Cho, co-founder of the menswear retailer The Armoury, wanted a Ressence that could live with a suit, and founder Benoît Mintiens refined his ideas into one.
Ressence today introduces the TYPE 9 ARM ‘Scattering Sun’, made with The Armoury of Hong Kong and New York and limited to 20 pieces. It is based on the TYPE 9, the smallest watch Ressence has made, at 39mm across.
The polished titanium fluted bezel doubles as the minute track. The salmon dial, also titanium, is sandblasted for texture beneath its PVD finish. There is no crown: rotating discs replace hands, driven by the patented ROCS 9 module on a customised automatic base calibre. A chocolate suede strap, with exposed stitching, completes the piece, chosen for its warm tone and feel.
Mintiens says The Armoury pushed Ressence towards a smaller scale, more classical decoration and traditional colours, while the display stays pure Ressence. “The best watches are the ones you’re wearing the most,” says Cho.
It is a small ritual: no crown, only the case back, turned by hand to wind and set the time.
The Basics
Brand: Ressence
Model: TYPE 9 ARM ‘Scattering Sun’
Diameter: 39mm
Thickness: 11mm
Case material: Polished Grade 5 titanium; polished fluted titanium bezel doubling as the minute track; domed sapphire crystal; no crown, wound and set via the case back
Dial: Sandblasted Grade 5 titanium, salmon PVD coating; indications filled with green Grade A Super-LumiNova®
Water resistance: 1 ATM splash-resistance
Strap: Chocolate suede, 20/18mm, exposed stitching; titanium ardillon buckle
Limited edition: 20 pieces
The Movement
Calibre: Patented ROCS 9 (Ressence Orbital Convex System) module, on a customised automatic base calibre
Functions: Hours, minutes
Winding: Self-winding (automatic)
Power reserve: 36 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Jewels: 31
Images courtesy of Ressence.