To launch this renewed TYPE 3 duet, we explore the interplay between these two watches through graphic arts in black and white. At their highs, at their lows, and all the nuances in between.
This pair of TYPE 3 features new details, aligning their dial design with the other TYPE 3 within the collection. The key update lies in the font. When these two watches were first launched in 2013, Ressence's in-house font hadn't been finalised yet—the finished version was introduced two years later for the TYPE 5. Now, this couple of iconic Ressence watches feature the custom typeface, designed for technical precision. The lines of the font are shaped by the round tool used to mill the titanium dial, giving the numbers and indexes their distinct rounded ends. Other updates include a simplified hour disc with indexes every two hours and a redesigned shock absorber. Additionally, the weekend days and oil temperature indicators now feature new pastel tones.
Another notable evolution in the watch’s design is the enhanced harmony between the caseback and the dial. In the TYPE 3, the upper part is immersed in oil, creating the illusion that the indicators are inscribed on the sapphire glass, evoking a digital screen. Ressence has achieved a similar visual effect on the reverse side of the watch.
“By using oil to create a deep and contrasted projection effect on the dial, the TYPE 3 offers an experience reminiscent of a digital screen. Our new approach to the caseback not only refines the watch's design but also pushes its dematerialization further to obtain a monolithic pebble on the wrist.” says Benoît Mintiens, Founder of Ressence.
The TYPE 3 Black and TYPE 3 White are accompanied by the TYPE 3 Eucalyptus Green and Black Black 2. They will be available worldwide from late fall 2024, via Ressence’s official retailer network.
Augmented readability
When launched in 2013, the TYPE 3 took the watch industry by surprise as the first ever oil-filled mechanical watch. It was awarded the “Horological Revelation” Prize by the prestigious GPHG the same year and the TYPE 3 BB2 was awarded the “best of best” distinction at the Red Dot Design Award 2024. Drawing on the inherent qualities of Ressence’s crown-free case design, the edge-to-edge sapphire crystal found on both front and back of the forward-thinking TYPE 3 resembles a perfectly smooth and natural-looking pebble, making it as satisfying in the hand as on the wrist.
The TYPE 3 cancels out the distortion caused by the refraction of light, ensuring exceptional readability from any angle. To achieve this result, the upper chamber has been flooded with 3.57 ml of oil, creating a projection effect that gives the illusion of information displayed directly on the glass. The TYPE 3 is easy to read, regardless of the lighting conditions, thanks to the filling of engraved indications with Grade A Super-LumiNova®.
Bellows system
While the oil provides high legibility, it is also sensitive to temperature variations. To compensate for the oil's expansion or contraction under varying thermal conditions, Ressence has developed a Bellows System. It is a self-equilibrating system that accommodates for volume variations. This Bellows System is graphically represented by a temperature gauge on the dial.
Mechanical efficiency
Another benefit of the oil-filled chamber is that all parts of the ROCS are continuously lubricated, resulting in very low friction. The components of the ROCS essentially 'float' in the oil, following the Archimedes’ principle, which further reduces friction and allows for a reduced need in energy to drive the dial.
Rooted in design culture
Ressence embraces a ‘Less is More’ approach, crafting meaningful mechanical watches where every design choice serves a function. Designed to be worn, enjoyed, and cherished, these watches are becoming an integral part of the wearer’s journey.
