Ressence was founded in 2010 by Belgian industrial designer Benoît Mintiens. The brand set out to offer an alternative approach to centuries-old design traditions in classical watchmaking. This approach positions watches not just as instruments for telling time, but as objects that build a more intuitive relationship with the user. At the core of Ressence’s innovation lies the ROCS (Ressence Orbital Convex System), a mechanism that completely departs from traditional hour and minute hands. In this system, hours, minutes, seconds, and other functions are displayed through rotating discs rather than fixed hands. The entire dial remains in constant motion, offering a fluid and natural perception of time that feels fundamentally different from conventional displays.
The brand’s most remarkable model, Type 3, features a dial filled entirely with oil. This technical solution eliminates light reflection and creates the illusion that there is no glass above the display. As a result, it feels as if you are reading time directly from the surface — even the tip of your finger. This optical illusion is not only visually striking but also a functional innovation.
Ressence watches also do away with the traditional crown. Adjustments are made via the back of the case. This detail reflects the brand’s commitment to rethinking ergonomic functionality. The case design is curved for comfort, and the dial is clean and intuitive. The visual simplicity deliberately contrasts with the mechanical complexity within.
All models are produced in Switzerland with high precision and are built on automatic movements. Ressence focuses as much on design language as it does on technical engineering — a philosophy rooted in its industrial design origins.
Ressence’s mission is not merely to produce watches, but to explore alternative ways of perceiving time. Rather than paying tribute to classic watchmaking, it reinterprets it. The brand offers watch enthusiasts an experience that is unusual, intuitive, physical, and deeply personal.
