Introduction
Founded in 2010 by Belgian industrial designer Benoît Mintiens, Ressence has developed one of the most original approaches to contemporary mechanical watchmaking. Its watches dispense with conventional hands and crowns in favour of the patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS), in which the entire display and its subsidiary indications continually orbit around one another. Introduced in 2013, the Type 3 pushed the concept considerably further by filling the upper display chamber with oil, creating the remarkable illusion that its indications are projected directly onto the sapphire crystal.
The Type 3 BB2 takes this technical concept and gives it an almost entirely monochromatic appearance. Its 44mm Grade 5 titanium case is finished in matte black DLC, surrounding an oil-filled black display showing the hours, minutes, date, day and oil temperature. Beneath it sits a modified ETA 2824/2 automatic movement, mechanically isolated from the oil-filled ROCS module and connected to it through an ingenious magnetic transmission. With no conventional crown, winding and setting are instead performed by rotating the case back.
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Grade
M 9.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box, warranty and booklet
Est. value range
$20,000 – $30,000
The Details
Brand
Ressence
Dimensions
44mm × 15mm
Model
Type 3 BB2
Movement
Automatic modified ETA 2824/2 with Ressence ROCS module
Reference
TYPE3B
Bracelet
Leather strap
Year
2015
Condition
Like new
Material
Black DLC-coated Grade 5 titanium
Included
Box, warranty and booklet
Dial Color
Black
THE DIAL
Rather than a conventional dial, the Type 3 BB2 uses Ressence's oil-filled ROCS display, with the indications engraved into a convex titanium surface beneath the domed sapphire crystal. Hours, minutes, day, date and oil temperature are displayed through continuously orbiting indications, while the oil virtually eliminates refraction between the dial and crystal, creating the striking impression that the graphics are floating directly on the surface of the watch.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The crownless 44mm case is constructed from Grade 5 titanium with a matte black DLC coating and sandwiched between two dramatically domed sapphire crystals. Its upper chamber contains 3.57ml of oil, while the mechanical movement remains completely dry in the lower chamber. Winding and setting are performed through the rotating case back, preserving the Type 3's exceptionally smooth, pebble-like form.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in overall like-new condition. The case shows only light signs of wear or handling. The dial and hands are like new. It is fitted with a black leather strap and a black PVD-coated pin buckle showing light signs of wear. Comes with the boxes, warranty, and booklet.
Please Note: Due to CITES considerations, if the watch is to be shipped outside of the USA, the exotic skin strap will have to be removed.
Our Perspective
Few contemporary watches challenge the conventions of mechanical watchmaking quite as convincingly as the Ressence Type 3. The BB2 distils the concept into an especially striking monochromatic package, combining its oil-filled orbital display, crownless construction and magnetic transmission with an understated black DLC finish. The result looks almost digital at first glance, yet everything taking place beneath the sapphire is fundamentally mechanical.
Justin Gruenberg
Co-founder
