Why watches?
A watch is one of the few genuinely holistic products in all its creative aspects. It has so much to offer in terms of aesthetic, ergonomics, economy, but also marketing, technique, comfort, legibility, and the intimacy that exists between a watch and its owner, along with the social status this implies.
Very few products, apart from maybe the car, have this many dimensions. Through Ressence, I’ve been able to embrace them all and create a complete world. I had to imagine a product that would make a strong impact but wouldn’t be too complicated to produce. There is a space between these two extremes where creativity takes hold.
Has there been one experience in particular that stands out?
Seeing the ROCS module working for the first time, almost 15 years ago. Prior to that we’d seen computer simulations, but a computer programme will never tell you if something actually works or not! It was an emotional thing to see my drawings come to life before my eyes.
Which is your daily beater?
A Type 3. So far, it’s the one I think best embodies what I’ve put into Ressence. I’m currently working on a project that will go much further, but it’s too soon to go into detail.
What are you most proud of?
My customers. All these people who wear my watches and who correspond to the values I wanted to inject into the brand. Most are my own personal values, but not all. It’s always a huge source of pride to see a community of collectors unite around these same values.
Is there still a common misconception about Ressence?
Some people still think that all our watches are dipped in oil. Obviously they aren’t. It’s not a big deal but it isn’t true either!
Is there anything we don’t know yet?
Not really. I wanted to build an open, transparent brand, although a lot of people aren’t aware that we originate from Belgium. I located production in Switzerland because that’s where the expertise is, but to be honest I’m not really hung up on the Belgian or Swiss or whatever aspect. Had there been equivalent expertise in Germany, that wouldn’t have been a problem.
Where do you see yourself after Ressence?
Probably travelling, but for myself. Some people think I’m constantly travelling but these are business trips. I go from an office to a hotel and back again. It’s extremely time-consuming, hence why I try to make these trips as short as possible.
Of course it’s something that has to be done, but it does take a chunk out of my schedule. When you think I have to block an entire week for six or eight meetings in Asia that would take 36 hours in Europe. For that reason, I try and keep business travel to a minimum.
Otherwise, it’s far too soon to be thinking about retirement. My father is 79 and still keeps busy, which keeps him in great shape. Anyway, Ressence has never really felt like work!
