Every now and then, a timepiece emerges that challenges the very essence of traditional watchmaking. The Ressence Type 8 Indigo is precisely that – a watch that doesn’t merely tell time but transforms it into an art form. Launched as part of The Indigo Project in collaboration with Shellman Tokyo, this limited-edition marvel of just eight pieces stands as a testament to the artisanal finesse and avant-garde philosophy that defines Ressence. I had the luck and pleasure to get the piece in the metal from Ressence for a weekend. It is one of the most difficult projects, a piece as equal hard to capture as it is beautiful. But I hope I have managed to reveal it to you and see it as I have seen it – a light master catcher and player.
A Brief History of Ressence
Founded in 2010 by Belgian industrial designer Benoît Mintiens, Ressence has consistently redefined modern horology. The brand’s ethos revolves around innovation, minimalism, and a commitment to rethinking the relationship between a watch and its wearer.
The debut Zero Series featured a groundbreaking dial with rotating discs in place of traditional hands. The Type 1 introduced a crownless design, while the oil-filled dial of the Ressence Type 3 eliminated refraction for unparalleled clarity. The Type 2 went even further with an automatic self-setting crown. The Type 8, however, epitomizes their philosophy of “Less is More,” reducing the display to its purest form: hours and minutes, in a symphony of rotating discs.
Titanium Elegance
The Type 8 Indigo’s case is a masterclass in modern craftsmanship. Made from polished Grade 5 titanium, it strikes a delicate balance between robustness and lightness. With a diameter of 42.9mm and a svelte thickness of 11mm, the watch is remarkably lightweight at just 42 grams, ensuring a comfortable fit on the wrist.
The domed sapphire crystal, treated with an anti-reflective coating, enhances legibility while seamlessly integrating with the polished titanium bezel. The caseback houses the innovative winding and setting mechanism, eschewing the need for a conventional crown and maintaining the brand’s signature sleek aesthetic. The watch sits comfortable on the wrist. It’s lightness, slick dimension and well chosen Saffiano leather strap will make you choose this piece against other, simply on the easiness and pleasure to wear.
Artisanal Excellence in Indigo
The pièce de résistance of the Type 8 Indigo is undoubtedly its dial. Here, Ressence ventures into uncharted territory by incorporating a centuries-old Japanese craft – indigo dyeing. The dial is meticulously adorned with a 0.2mm-diameter silk thread, dyed in natural indigo and applied in a spiral pattern. This intricate process, executed by Swiss Arts & Métiers artisans, transforms the dial into a canvas that captures the essence of time in rich, varying shades of blue.
The indigo thread is sourced from Buaisou, a renowned atelier in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, ensuring authenticity and quality. Each dial requires two days of painstaking craftsmanship, as the thread is carefully bonded to the titanium surface without compromising its natural texture or color. The result is a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow, with engraved hour and minute markers filled with Grade A Super-LumiNova®, offering both beauty and functionality.
As fantastic it is to seeing playing with light and reflections, the watch is quite difficult to capture. Its curvature and polished surfaces will find everything around you and serve it back to you through its own perspective. I was mesmerised by how interesting the world is seen on the Ressence Type 8 Indigo and I was challenged to find ways of photographing it. It was a fun process.
minute axle of a customised automatic base calibre
Movement – The Heart of Innovation
At the core of the Type 8 Indigo lies the patented ROCS 8 (Ressence Orbital Convex System). This mechanical marvel is driven by the minute axle of a customized automatic base calibre. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, the movement offers a power reserve of 36 hours.
The entire system comprises 20 gears and 4 ball bearings, meticulously arranged to ensure the smooth rotation of the discs. The absence of traditional hands allows for a seamless, fluid display of time, a hallmark of Ressence’s design philosophy.
Celebrating Artisanal Craftsmanship and Independent Watchmaking
The Ressence Type 8 Indigo is a celebration of artisanal craftsmanship and independent watchmaking. In an industry often dominated by mass production and uniformity, Ressence stands as one of the beacons of innovation and creativity. True to the brand‘s core beliefs, every piece is destined for greatness in eternity – not a fashion trend, not an ephemeral desire, but something one wants to enjoy now, in ten years, in a lifetime. By blending ancient Japanese dyeing techniques with cutting-edge horology, the Type 8 Indigo encapsulates the beauty of time in its most elemental form.
Limited to just eight pieces, this timepiece is a rare gem that speaks to collectors and enthusiasts who value artistry, tradition, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. In the words of Benoît Mintiens, the Type 8 Indigo is “a symbol of the natural rhythm of time” – a masterpiece that invites us to experience time not as a constraint, but as a canvas for endless possibilities.
Ressence Type 8 Indigo Technical Specifications
NAME: TYPE 8 Indigo – CHF 25.000 (excluding taxes)
Functions
- Indications: hours, minutes
- Components: 188 components
- Weight: 42 grams
Movement
- Patented ROCS 8 – Ressence Orbital Convex System – module driven by the
minute axle of a customised automatic base calibre - Self-winding
- 36 hours power reserve
- 28,800 vibrations per hour
- 31 jewels
- 20 gears
- 4 ball bearings
Case
- Polished Grade 5 titanium
- Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating inside
- 42,9 mm (diameter) x 11mm (thickness)
- 1 ATM splash-resistance
- Manual winding over 12° and set-up via caseback
- Rotating two directions
Dial
- Grade 5 titanium dial (75mm diameter) running on a jewel ball bearing with eccentric satellites
rolling on jewel ball-bearings inclined at 9,75° (hours) - Silk thread application
- Engraved indications filled with blue Grade A Super-LumiNova®
Buckle & Strap
- Titanium ardillon buckle
- Medium warm grey Saffiano calf leather (20/20mm)
