The Type 9 continues a simplified chapter for Ressence
Pietro PillaRessence has always had a highly distinctive design language, and the new Type 9 is no exception, while subtly nodding to “traditional” horology. This new model furthers the idea presented with Ressence’s most wearable model yet, the Type 8, which already simplified the easy concept of reading time. While it still tells just hours and minutes, it comes in a more compact package for the ultimate minimalist look. I had the grey version with me for the past week, and I made sure to wear it in my day-to-day life. Spending so much time with it made me appreciate all its merits, its flaws, and what makes it so special.
The dials
Let’s start with the element that takes the most space when a watch, especially this one, sits on the wrist. The thin frame provided by the case surrounds the typical Ressence indication of the time, with two rotating discs for hours and minutes. The smaller disc indicates the hours, and orbits around the inside of the minute track, running on a jewelled ball bearing with eccentric satellites on jewel ball bearings inclined at 9.75 degrees. It’s not my first time with a Ressence watch, but it’s always fascinating to see how the two (painted) hands dance, chasing each other around without ever touching.
The first variation of this model features a monochromatic grey tone, with all dial elements crafted from grade 5 titanium left in its natural state. With the second variation, there is a more vivid tone on the dial, with the titanium dial coloured in an aqua hue. Both the hours and minutes tracks are finished with a circled brushing, expanding the nod to classic horology further. To aid visibility during the night, all the numerals and the hands are engraved directly into the moving dials, and then filled with Grade A Super-LumiNova. These white fillings are the only points of contrast on an otherwise elegantly monochromatic timepiece when the lume is not activated. On the aqua model, there’s another colour accent provided by the gold-coloured Ressence hand logo serving as the 12′ indicator.
The case
In line with the philosophy of the brand and the rest of the collection, the case is very much pebble-like. Compared to the cases of the other models, however, the curve provided by the highly domed sapphire continues into the more traditional lugs. It measures just 39mm in diameter and it looks even more compact thanks to the minute indicators outside of the dial, serving as a bezel. This is a first for the Antwerp-based brand, where usually all indications find space on the convex dial. The grade 5 titanium gives it an astonishing lightness that you wouldn’t expect when reading the stat sheet. It weighs in at just 39 grams, strap included! This aspect, together with the convex shape of the sapphire crystal (which measures just 11mm at the highest point) translates into an excellent wearing experience for all kinds of wrists.
The strap
The strap is a visual continuation of the sinuous case shape, with a grey tone for both iterations, complementing the titanium on both the watch and the polished buckle. While the grey model is paired with a synthetic woven strap with a leather lining, the aqua blue will be available on a soft calf leather strap.
The movement
Some of you may be unfamiliar with Ressence’s patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS, for short) and display of time. Both discs have painted hands on them that, unlike a standard time display, never cross or overlap each other. The hour disc makes a full revolution every 12 hours, yet maintains the correct orientation to read from. To accommodate the ROCS module in the new case, it needed to be reduced in size when compared to the ROCS 8 found in the Type 8 model. This resulted in the ROCS 9 module and the smallest possible watch the brand could produce to this day, considering the size of the components.
The thoroughly proven ETA 2892-A2 continues to serve as a base calibre after undergoing extensive modifications to allow for the inclined and jewelled ball bearings of the module, which still holds a power reserve of 36 hours. The titanium caseback is closed, because, as you probably already noticed, there’s no crown on this timepiece, and all interaction with the movement is done by rotating the caseback itself.
Closing thoughts
It’s very appreciated that Ressence, even after releasing a very wearable Type 8 not too long ago, continued on the same path and released a more compact, cleaner, and even more affordable model. After wearing it for a week, I can say that the weight – or maybe I should say lack thereof – had a big impact on the wearing experience, almost making me forget I had it on. The case, despite being highly domed, is still thin and easily slipped under any cuff I wore. It was up to me to choose the moment in which to have the watch visible or not. I wore it on the synthetic woven strap, which even though it was extremely light, probably needed a bit more time to break in. I’m curious about how the leather strap will feel, which is another step in a more traditional direction.
Overall I’d say I really enjoyed my time with this model. While being far from the most complicated, it quickly became my favourite of the current collection, and I was surprised how little time I needed to adapt to reading the time in this format.
Ressence Type 9 pricing and availability
The Ressence Type 9 Grey is now available through Ressence’s official retailers network, while the Type 9 Aqua will be available from February 2025. Price: CHF 12,500 (~US$14,100)
| Brand | Ressence |
| Model | Type 9 Grey Type 9 Aqua |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 11mm (T), 39g weight |
| Case Material | Grade 5 titanium |
| Water Resistance | Not stated |
| Crystal(s) | Domed sapphire front |
| Dial | Grade 5 titanium in grey or aqua blue |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Bracelet and strap | Synthetic woven strap, titanium buckle Calf leather, titanium buckle |
| Movement | ETA 2892A2 ROCS 9, in-house module, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 36 hours |
| Functions | Hours and minutes |
| Availability | Grey available now, Aqua available in February 2025 |
| Price | CHF 12,500 |