For Baselworld 2015, Ressence is releasing a new version of their Type 3 watch, this time with an added indicator on the dial. Introducing Ressence The New Type 3
Winner of 2013 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, Horological Revelation, Ressence has definitely come a long way. It is a truly fascinating concept, to put floating dials on a refraction oil base, something almost unheard of. What is fascinating about this piece, is the constantly moving dial. The subdials or the floating dial is designed to revolve about the face of the watch, where only the minute hand is the constant. Back in 2013, we reviewed the first Type 3 and were very much impressed with the concept. So what is it that the 2015 model has to offer?
The TYPE 3 capitalises on the advanced technology of the ROCS patent. ROCS stands for Ressence Orbital Convex System and is a state-‐of-‐the-‐art complex mechanism composed of 158 parts, 35 gears and 52 jewels.
Very much similar, safe for an oil temperature indicator, the New Type 3 uses the same movement from the previous type 3 and capitalises on the advanced technology of the ROCS patent. ROCS stands for Ressence Orbital Convex System and is a state-‐of-‐the-‐art complex mechanism composed of 158 parts, 35 gears and 52 jewels. For antimagnetic and lightweight purposes, all components are in titanium grade 5 with the exception of the gears.
The older Type 3, which also consists of three main elements: the central section made from a titanium grade 5 plate that integrates the lugs for the bracelet; the upper section with the ROCS submerged in oil; and the lower section housing the movement and the winding/setting mechanism.
The unique approach for displaying the time: discs replace traditional hands. Sub-discs continually revolve, as does the main disc. The face of the watch is therefore constantly changing. The convex discs are displaying hours, minutes, runner (360 seconds), days of the week, oil temperature, and the date. They may be seen as the dial in a traditional watch but are in fact the ROCS’s bridges
The TYPE 3 architecture consists of three main elements: the central section made from a titanium grade 5 plate that integrates the lugs for the bracelet; the upper section with the ROCS submerged in oil; and the lower section housing the movement and the winding/setting mechanism. Minute information is transmitted from the movement to the ROCS via micro-‐magnetic fields as it is completely sealed and physically separated from the lower section by a hermetic titanium grade 5 membrane. An anti-‐magnetic cage (acting as a Faraday cage) protects the movement from the magnetic fields.
The discs of the ROCS as the whole case itself have a 125mm radius sphere shape and require specific know-‐how and tools to be produced. The watch, made of titanium grade 5, weights only 75 grams. This makes the watch highly comfortable and wearable on the wrist. Seen here is the older Type 3.
Comfort on the wrist and enjoyable touch were key priorities during TYPE 3’s development. The TYPE 3 upper half is filled with 35.2 ml of oil for a never-‐seen-‐before visual effect. Oil has remarkable properties but is sensible to temperature variations. The TYPE 3 includes therefore seven bellows that compensate for oil’s expansion or contraction. A mechanical thermal gauge has been added to inform precisely when the watch is performing at its best. The 0.5 mm bi-‐ metal spiral is mounted 0.1 mm under the discs to captures the slightest temperature change inside the oil, ranging from -‐5 degrees to +55 degrees Celsius.
