If “x” marks the spot, then Ressence has hit its proverbial target with the launch of its new Type 1 Slim X model. Born in 2010, the Belgium-based brand has thus far celebrated a multitude of crucial moments — notably winning the “Horological Revelation” Prize at the 2013 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) plus becoming a member of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) in 2016. This month, the brand is celebrating another significant milestone, its 10th anniversary year.
We humans, are known for being terrible at keeping track of the time, and if time is fleeting, then Ressence, “wants us to make better use of our time by focusing on our relation to it.” Enter the Type 1 Slim X Limited Edition, the first timepiece released from Ressence’s new X collection. According to Ressence, the collection’s name stems from the “fusion of an X, or ten in Latin,” engraved on its hour disc. The Type 1 Slim X collection comprises four watches, each limited to 40 pieces and bearing dark olive-green-colored dials. The new anniversary model is graphically reminiscent of an hourglass.
The curved, olive-green dial, made of German silver, measures 125 mm in radius and uses the brand’s “ever-changing” dial design — with continually revolving subdials, reminiscent of the moon orbiting the Earth — and adds a subtle handmade makeover to the dial’s disk. The Type 1 Slim X, powered by the Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS), the brand’s in-house-developed mechanism driven by the minute axle of its customized ETA 2892/A caliber, activates the disks to orbit around one another continually. The watch’s self-winding movement vibrates at 28,800 v.p.h (4 Hz) and stores a power-reserve of 36 hours. When the midnight and midday indicators are animated, the dial is divided into two separate finishes; matte on one half and circular on the other half. (For more on how Ressence watches operate, click here.)
The hours, minutes, seconds, and date function are presented on three disks, with silver engraved indications coated in green Super-LumiNova. The minutes and hours disk, engraved with a graphical, augmented, open-palmed “hand” icon between the 30-minute and 60-minute hour marker, represents, according to Ressence, “a modern and wearable interpretation of an hourglass.” The watch’s hours function is located at 3 o’clock, and its seconds and weekday display is positioned a little past the 4 o’clock mark.
The double-domed case is made from Grade 5 titanium and covered with a sapphire crystal, glazed in an antireflective coating, which extends to the edge of the case, making the timepiece more crystal than metal. The case measures 42 mm in diameter and 11 mm thick, with lugs measuring 20 mm in width. The case is water-resistant to 10 meters (1 ATM), and is individually numbered (out of 40 pieces) on its caseback.
The Type 1 Slim X time-setting and self-winding functions are set via a lever on the watch’s caseback, employing the entire caseback itself, rather than a traditional crown, to wind the movement, which Ressence says offers “better ergonomics.” In all, the movement comprises 212 components, including 40 jewels and 27 gears. The watch is presented on an olive green calfskin strap with a silver ardillon buckle. Priced at $21,500, it is limited to just 40 pieces.
The Type 1 Slim X is available through Ressence’s website and selected retail partners. The remaining three models apart from its X collection will roll out during 2020, with a frequency of one every other month, from July 7 through the end of December.
| Manufacturer: | Ressence |
| Model: | Type 1 Slim X |
| Functions: | Hours, minutes, seconds, weekday date display |
| Movement: | Caliber 2892/A , ROCS 1 (Ressence Orbital Convex System), self-winding, 28,800 vph frequency, 27 gears, 40 jewels, 36-hour power reserve, 212 components |
| Case: | Grade 5 titanium, double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, water-resistant to 10 meters, individually numbered (out of 40), winding and time setting via lever on the caseback |
| Bracelet and clasp: | Olive-green calfskin strap (20 x 20-mm) with ardillon (pin) buckle |
| Dimensions: | Diameter = 42 mm Thickness = 11 mm Lug width = 20 mm Weight = 67 grams |
| Price: | $ 21,500 |
For more news and the latest updates on Ressence and its X collection, click here.
