Timekeeping, we often think, can have an unblinking, unforgiving seriousness: the constant management of ruthless deadlines; the multi-billion-pound market that watchmaking has created; the minutiae and intricacies every Swiss house obsesses over throughout the day. However, even with the horological universe’s complexities and Formula-1-standard precision – features that, of course, deserve never-ending waves of praise – we should often remind ourselves that there is still space for a bit of light-hearted pleasure and colour.
Ressence, which was launched by Belgian industrial designer Benoît Mintiens in an effort to put a novel spin on premium watch production, does much to inject playfulness and genuine innovation into the industry by upending the usual designs, concepts and expectations; the use of a crown has been jettisoned, for example, with the winding function pinned to a rotating caseback. Most recognisable among the label’s signature details is the futuristic-looking dial and, more specifically, the circular sub-dials, which replace traditional hands and facilitate clear legibility, thanks to their pared-down, intuitive look – something that’s highly appreciated by weary-eyed collectors.
RESSENCE Type 1 Round Multicolour, CHF18,150, ressencewatches.com
The Type 1 Round Multicolour, in particular, has brought us an abundance of joy in months gone by. Though we can talk for hours about the double-domed sapphire crystal top and the fairly nifty 36-hour power reserve, it’s those sub-dials, this time in poppy, block tones, that we love the most: the hour disc is displayed in green, the seconds are shown in yellow, and the days are expressed in red. The minute track, in blue with white indicators, encircles all this, and a light-grey backdrop underlines the contrast.
Fluid in looks, punchy in spirit and with the numbers removed in order to keep the design pure, it’s the type of creation that aficionados of Anglepoise, Jony Ive and Wallpaper* will appreciate. Time management, despite the pain it can often inflict, inches rapidly towards the pleasurable whenever this is strapped on the wrist.
This feature was taken from our Summer 2024 issue. Read more about it here.
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