The TYPE 9 S75 is a collaborative creation by Ahmed Seddiqi and Ressence, unveiled to mark the 75th anniversary of the esteemed luxury watch and jewellery retailer. Limited to a mere 20 pieces, this exquisite timepiece stands as a testament to the elegant fusion of tradition and innovation, incorporating sand from the U.A.E.’s seven Emirates into its unique design.
A History of Excellence
Ahmed Seddiqi holds the distinction of being the foremost luxury watch and jewellery retailer in the UAE since its inception in 1950. With over 70 years of heritage, the company curates an unparalleled luxury retail experience through its representation of more than 100 brands across over 50 locations. The firm is renowned for its excellence in service, horological expertise, and commitment to crafting unique customer experiences, solidifying its status as a trusted leader in the world of luxury.
“We are honoured to celebrate Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75th anniversary with the launch of the TYPE 9 S75, a truly exceptional watch that beautifully captures the spirit of the U.A.E. By incorporating grains of sand from all seven Emirates into the dial and featuring a strap crafted from genuine camel leather, the watch is a unique tribute to the nation’s landscape, heritage, and innovative thinking. This limited edition not only reflects our deep cultural roots but also symbolises the partnership between Ahmed Seddiqi and Ressence, blending tradition with cutting-edge horological craftsmanship,” said Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, CEO of Ahmed Seddiqi.
“Central to this project is the idea of measuring time through the motion of sand grains. This watch stands at the crossroads between the ancient hourglass, the organic dome of the dial echoing the texture of dunes, and the regional origin of the piece, symbolised by a blend of sand gathered from all seven Emirates. All expressed through a contemporary watch design for the 21st century. That’s a lot for a 39mm watch.” said Benoît Mintiens, Founder of Ressence.
The Sand of Time
The dial of the TYPE 9 S75 is a triumph of both artistry and engineering. Crafted from Grade 5 titanium, the dial is an intricate canvas that brings the desert’s texture into motion. Sand collected from each of the seven Emirates is meticulously bonded to the titanium Minutes and Hours discs, encapsulating the spirit of the UAE’s landscape. The engraved indications, filled with green Grade A Super-LumiNova® for enhanced legibility, offer both functionality and aesthetic distinction. This watch eloquently embodies Ressence‘s ethos as a “living canvas,” as described by Benoît Mintiens, the Founder of Ressence.
Shining from afar with ROCS 9
At the heart of the TYPE 9 S75 is the patented ROCS 9 – Ressence Orbital Convex System – driven by the minute axle of a customised automatic base calibre. This self-winding movement boasts a 36-hour power reserve and operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, utilising 31 jewels and 20 gears intricately housed within the movement. The precision and innovation of the movement reflect Ressence‘s commitment to avant-garde horology.
39mm Titanium Subtlety for the Wrist
The watch features a polished Grade 5 titanium case, measuring 39 mm in diameter and 11 mm in thickness. Its domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating ensures clarity and durability, while its design provides a splash resistance of 1 ATM. Setting and winding occur via a rotating caseback, further highlighting its minimalist design that foregoes conventional crowns for a streamlined aesthetic.
Tradition, Culture, and Innovation
The TYPE 9 S75 is an elegant confluence of tradition, culture, and innovation. It stands as a tribute to Ahmed Seddiqi‘s 75-year legacy and its collaboration with Ressence. As Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, CEO of Ahmed Seddiqi, expressed, the TYPE 9 S75 is a “unique tribute to the nation’s landscape, heritage, and innovative thinking,” while Benoît Mintiens emphasised the conceptual depth of the piece, calling it a “contemporary watch design for the 21st century.” It is indeed a remarkable synthesis of simplicity and sophistication, a tribute to the past and a beacon for the future of horological design.
Another exquisite piece can be seen here: Exclusive Review: Ressence Type 8 Indigo – A Symphony of Craftsmanship and Industrial Design
Ahmed Seddiqi & Ressence TYPE 9 S75 Technical Specifications
NAME: TYPE 9 S75 – CHF15,500 (excluding taxes)
Functions
- Hours
- Minutes
Movement
- Patented ROCS 9 – 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
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) - Sand bonded on titanium Minutes and Hours discs
- Engraved indications filled with green Grade A Super-LumiNova®
Case
- Polished Grade 5 titanium
- Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating inside
- 39 mm (diameter) x 11mm (thickness)
- 1 ATM splash-resistance
- Manual winding over 12° and set-up via caseback
- Rotating two directions
Buckle & Strap
- Polished ardillon buckle in Grade 5 titanium
- Camel leather strap (20/18mm)
Components
- 182 components
Weight
- 40 grams
ABOUT AHMED SEDDIQI
Ahmed Seddiqi, established in 1950, is the leading luxury watch and jewellery retailer in the UAE. With curating timeless luxury at its core, the company offers an unmatched luxury retail experience with a collection of over 100 brands across over 50 locations. Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75-year rich legacy is recognised as trusted name in luxury, led by its commitment to service excellence, horology expertise, portfolio curation, and creating unique experiences. Discover ‘The Difference Time Makes’ honouring the company’s expertise in craftsmanship and timeless luxury.
To learn more, visit https://www.seddiqi.com/75th-anniversary.
ABOUT RESSENCE
Founded by industrial designer Benoît Mintiens in 2010, Ressence is redefining the essence of contemporary watchmaking. From the start, we have taken on a “Less is More” approach, stripping away unnecessary attributes that traditional watches have clung to for decades.
Combining Swiss-made calibres with our own innovations, we reimagine the interaction between mechanical watches and their owners. Our minimalistic designs aim to awaken the senses and provoke wonder, making our watches daily companions for today’s and future generations.
It all began with the Zero Series, featuring a revolutionary dial design where time is represented on flush two-dimensional rotating discs. Gone are the traditional hands — time reads like words on paper. This hallmark of simplicity continued with the TYPE 1, which got rid of the crown, resulting in a truly ambidextrous watch. The TYPE 3 pushed boundaries further with its oil-filled dial, eliminating refraction and enhancing legibility, earning the 2013 Horological Revelation Award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève and the ‘Best of Best’ distinction at the Red Dot Design Award in 2024. The TYPE 2 introduced the world’s first automatic self-setting crown, removing the need for manual adjustments. The TYPE 8 began a new chapter of minimalist design, embodying the most essential and graphically simplified Ressence display with only hours and minutes, and received the Red Dot Award for Product Design in 2023. The TYPE 9 continues this evolution as our smallest and lightest watch to date, offering refined elegance in a compact form. In 2025, the TYPE 7 joins the collection, combining functional design with refined comfort. With its GMT display and titanium bracelet, this tool watch embodies the perfect balance of elegance and performance.