We are a bit on the late side to report on this novelty, though we got a glimpse of it when Benoît Mintiens visited Singapore not long ago. But better late than never.
Here is the press release information with our commentary in italics.
New: Ressence Type 3 x Marc Newson
The Ressence Type 3MN retails at CHF 46,000 before taxes.
Commentary
When is a redesign not a redesign? Quick answer, this Ressence Type 3 MN. The base watch is the Type 3, which is already a rather organic design, with a pebble smooth case, and clear graphics. It contains the essence of the design originating from Benoît Mintiens. And somehow, this is fused with the organic design language so well expressed by Marc Newson.
The final watch looks seamless, like it could have come out from the individual studios of either Benoît or Marc. And as a collaboration project, it achieves an even higher target of total integration. The elements contributed by each designer, I do consider both of them to be the very finest in industrial design, meld into each other. The entire watch is cohesive, and wonderfully presented.
All the tech, of course is contributed by Ressence. The Type 3 is not a new watch, and we are already very familiar with its features and functions since the release in 2013. The model was updated in 2015. I did a full hands on review of the revised watch (2015) here. And this latest iteration seems to be just a visual update, with cues from Marc Newson.
Pricing has not quite kept up with inflation. In 2015, the Type 3 was released at USD 42k (an equivalent purchasing power of about USD 57.5k in 2025), and today, the latest MN version hits the streets at CHF 46k (approx USD 56k). Interesting pricing policy, and we applaud Benoît for this transparent approach.
Release information
Two design philosophies converge, and the extraordinary emerges.
The TYPE 3 MN represents more than a collaboration; it is the fusion of Marc Newson’s pioneering approach to industrial design and Ressence founder Benoît Mintiens’ innovative vision for time display. With its ergonomic elliptical silhouette, the TYPE 3 MN features a domed sapphire crystal and minimal hands which appear suspended in an oil-filled chamber.
This organic design combines Marc Newson’s signature style with Benoît Mintiens’ revolutionary oil-filled technology, powered by Ressence’s patented ROCS (Ressence Orbital Convex System), the proprietary display mechanism behind every Ressence watch.
“I wanted to merge our universes,” explains Mintiens. “Knowing Marc Newson’s design universe, I saw a pioneer of industrial-design thinking in fine watchmaking, and that really interested me. I wanted to bring Marc’s and Ressence’s vision of watchmaking into one perfect product. How often do designers work together on one product? In my eyes, one plus one can become more than the sum of its parts.”
“As a longstanding admirer of Benoît’s pioneering engineering and unique approach to watchmaking at Ressence, this collaboration provided a wonderful opportunity to synthesise our approaches; to conceive of a design that was distinct and innovative, yet cohered with my design language,” says Newson, the celebrated industrial designer whose diverse portfolio spans automotive, aviation, nautical industries, timepieces, products, and furniture.
Ergonomic precision meets seamless form
Newson’s distinctive design language marries seamlessly with the artful engineering of the TYPE 3.
“Ressence watches are a technical tour de force and remain unique in the industry. The original TYPE 3, in particular, balances clarity with sophistication. With the resulting TYPE 3 MN the perfect representation of my original vision has been realised; the result of a deeply gratifying, collaborative process.” says Newson.
The watch features an ergonomic, elliptical silhouette—a form Newson has refined over decades of work. Bold, minimal hands playfully nod to Newson’s iconic Ikepod watch designs of the 1990s.
The colour palette draws on subtle yet striking hues of celadon green, grey, black, and vibrant yellow, delivering visual clarity while preserving the watch’s elegance.
The dial itself features Grade 5 titanium discs with four eccentric biaxial satellites inclined at varying degrees, including a runner disc. Engraved indications are filled with blue and green Grade A Super-LumiNova®, ensuring legibility in all lighting conditions.
Dematerialised time display
At the heart of the TYPE 3 MN lies Ressence’s patented ROCS 3 system—a mechanism featuring magnetically driven rotating discs that deliver a unique visual experience.
“The vision for the TYPE 3 was to have a dematerialised watch. You only see the time. It’s as pure as can be,” notes Mintiens.
The upper chamber is flooded with 4.15 ml of silicone oil, cancelling out the distortion caused by light refraction and ensuring exceptional readability from any angle.
This creates a magnified projection effect that gives the illusion of information displayed directly on the glass, with time appearing to float beneath your fingertips. The domed sapphire crystal enhances this suspended time-telling experience.
For those who prioritise purity
“Drawn from my established timepiece design ideology, the formal process behind this watch proved to be deeply rewarding: one which underlined my longstanding joy and fascination in this area of expertise,” says Newson, who notes that his design philosophy is dependent on an oscillation between past ideas and processes, and the constant urge for reinvention.
“I would like this watch to connect with those for whom purity of form, quality of material and complex engineering is prioritised: those who admire, and find beauty, in a refined aesthetic, and find resonance with an object which looks and feels highly considered, coherent and elegant.”
A testament to ‘Simplication’
The TYPE 3 MN embodies Ressence’s creative spirit and reinforces its commitment to ‘Simplication’— the brand’s belief that good design creates clarity without losing soul, functionality without sacrificing beauty, and simplicity that resonates deeply.
“In watch design, you can manage every dimension yourself—aesthetics, technique, ergonomics, economics, mechanics—and push each to a higher level,” says Benoît Mintiens, noting that this unique collaboration raised the stakes in this regard. “The real challenge is coherence between them. When everything aligns, you get a logic of its own—a new reality. That’s exactly what we aim for with TYPE 3.”
Ressence Type 3 x Marc Newson specifications
NAME: TYPE 3 MN (Marc Newson)
Functions • Hours • Minutes • Runner (180 seconds) • Day • Date • Oil Temperature
Movement • Patented ROCS 3.6 – Ressence Orbital Convex System – module driven by the minute axle of a customised automatic base calibre, • Caseback winding and day/date/time setting • Magnetic transmission • Compensating Bellows System • Self-winding • 36 hours power reserve • 28,800 vibrations per hour • 47 jewels • 44 gears • 4 ball bearings
Dial • DLC and PVD coated Grade 5 titanium • Convex Grade 5 titanium discs (125 mm radius) with four eccentric biaxial satellites inclined at 3° (hours), 4.75° (oil temperature and days of the week), and 6.25° (runner) • Engraved pad-printed indications filled with blue and green Grade A Super-LumiNova®
Case • Grade 5 titanium • Two separate sealed chambers with upper half filled with 4.15 ml of oil holding the ROCS 4• Double-domed sapphire crystal (top) with anti-reflective coating inside, titanium bottom, 45 mm (diameter) x 15 mm (thickness) • 1 ATM splash-resistance
Buckle & Strap • Titanium ardillon buckle • Synthetic rubber
Components & Weight • 387 components / 95 grams (buckle & strap included)
