The Ressence Type 1 is similar to the Ressence Type 3 in that it has no crown and no hands. The Type 3, however, is distinctly different in that its discs are bathed in a fluid that refracts light and projects the indications directly onto the sapphire crystal.
The case measures 44 mm by 15 mm and has a bubble-shaped sapphire crystal that makes it possible for the display to go all the way to the edge of the curve, giving the watch a unique look, even in comparison to the Type 1, which is already quite distinct.
Inside is a mechanism that consists of 57 jewels and 28 gears, enclosed in an upper compartment filled with a naphtha-type liquid which enhances the refraction of light and causes the brain to see a two-dimensional display, rather than three.
A thermal valve automatically adjusts for any expansion or contraction of the fluid. As with the Type 1, setting the time, date, and winding of the watch is done by turning the caseback.
According to the manufacturer, “Discs displaying hours, minutes, seconds and days revolve under the domed sapphire crystal, while the date is read from the perimeter of the dial at 6 o’clock. The indications discs continually revolve, as does the whole dial itself. The face of the watch is constantly changing in the same way that a human face is transformed by each passing emotion.”
The dial and indications are curved and treated with DLC, and all components with the exception of the gears are titanium. The total weight of the watch is 80 grams. Indications are engraved in the discs and are filled with Super-LumiNova (white, grey, and orange).
While the patented module consists of 28 gears and 57 jewels, there is also a movement that has an additional 25 jewels. In total, there are 407 components. Like a traditional Swiss automatic watch, this timepiece beats at 4Hz and has a self-winding winding rotor.
Verdict
There is undoubtedly no other watch like this on the planet. If you want something that stands out, without being totally ostentatious, and with a nice technical story, go for a Ressence.
