A combination of the words
renaissance and
essentiel,
Ressence is a young, independent brand with a unique approach to contemporary watchmaking. Their motto “Built on the expertise of yesterday, crafted with today’s technology, our watches are designed for tomorrow” - very much speaks to this, innovative identity. Founded by the Belgian industrial designer, M. Benoît Mintiens in 2010, all of
the brand’s watches carry ever-changing regulator dials, in which the sub-dials and main-disc continually orbit one another.
First debuted at
Baselworld 2010, the
Zero Series was the first production watch by
Ressence. Only 50 pieces were made, each with steel cases and large winding crowns. This particular example, is one of the most limited of the four variants of the
Zero Series produced (1004),
with only 9 pieces made.
The ’1004’ reference, refers to the
grey aluminium discs, shown on the dial side. The orbital display shows hours and minutes on convex discs, while the sub-dials indicate the seconds and AM/PM. The embedded indicators are
painted white for contrast. The Zero Series also displays double digits for the hour disc (01, 02), whereas later pieces use only single numerals (1, 2).
With two highly-domed, sapphire crystals covering both sides of the watch, the
Zero Series is distinctively
Ressence, exhibiting a pebble-like appearance clearly influenced by
current industrial design trends. The steel case measures 42 mm and wears true to its size. The winding crown is unique to the Zero Series, signified by the orange colour within the crown itself, which is beautifully machined and complete with a safety mechanism, to prevent accidental time changes. The wire lugs, secured to the case by four screws, detach and separate for strap changes.
The watch is split into
two modules; a lower-half comprised of a customised self-winding
ETA 2824/2 ébauche, and a display module, or
ROCS (
Ressence Orbital Convex System). The sapphire caseback is secured by 6 screws, only visible in the Zero Series.
This Ressence Zero Series is the very first iteration of the brand’s novel and whimsical approach to mechanical design. With very few pieces made, it’s one of only a handful of examples, and serves as the reference point for all Ressence pieces.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment only.
Closer look
| Brand: |
Ressence |
| Model: |
Zero Series (1004) |
| Movement: |
automatic ETA 2824/2 base with modified with in-house ROCS display module |
| Functions: |
hours, minutes, seconds, AM/PM |
| Features: |
brushed grey dial, aluminium discs, regulator display, winding crown |
| Case: |
42 mm stainless steel |
| Crystal: |
domed sapphire front and back |
| Bracelet: |
Ressence strap and original steel deployant buckle |
| Year: |
2011 |
| Box & papers: |
original nest box, outer box, letter from Ressence |
This Ressence Zero Series is in excellent condition and was recently serviced by the brand. It comes with its original nest box and strap tool, as well as an accompanying letter from Ressence. It is guaranteed for authenticity and comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man.
