Ressence has collaborated with renowned Australian industrial designer Marc Newson to unveil the Type 3 Marc Newson. A limited edition of 80 pieces, it brings together the Belgian watch brand’s distinctive time display with Marc Newson’s innovative industrial design sensibility—a style forged through his experience in sectors such as automotive, aviation, nautical, timepieces, products, and furniture. In watchmaking, Newson is renowned for co-founding Ikepod in 1994.
“I wanted to merge our universes. 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.” – Benoît Mintiens, Ressence founder.
Key Features
Functions and Operations
Hours, minutes, runner (180 seconds), day, date, and oil temperature. Time / day / date setting and winding via the caseback.
Dial
Dial is made from DLC and PVD coated Grade-5 titanium. It features convex Grade 5 titanium discs (125 mm radius) with 4 eccentric biaxial satellites that are inclined at 3° (hours), 4.75° (oil temperature and day of the week), 6.25° (runner). Indications are engraved and pad printed, and feature blue and green Grade A Super-LumiNova.
Movement
Powered by the brand’s patented ROCS (Ressence Orbital Convex System) 3.6 module that is driven by the minute axle of a customised ETA 2824/2 base automatic movement. Parts: 215. Jewels: 47. Gears: 44. Ball bearings: 4. Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Power reserve: 36 hours. Movement features the brand’s magnetic transmission and Compensating Bellows System.
Case
Made from Grade 5 Titanium. It features 2 individual sealed chambers, with the upper half filled with 4.15 ml of oil holding the ROCS 3.6 module. Diameter: 45 mm. Thickness: 15 mm. Dial side features a double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective costing on the inside. Caseback is made from titanium. Watch is splash resistant up to 1 ATM or approximately 10 metres. The watch comes with a synthetic rubber strap with an ardillon buckle made form titanium.
“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.” – Marc Newson.
Our Thoughts
Horology is a canvas for creativity; not just dials and cases, but the mechanical heart or movements too. The latter, while rooted in physics, is open to interpretation. Benoît Mintiens did exactly this 15 years ago when he founded Ressence. Though driven by a customised base calibre (exact one depends on specific Ressence model), the brand’s ROCS is an engineering and horological marvel.
The Type 3 Marc Newson incorporates the designer’s signature design elements, giving it a utilitarian aesthetic. For collectors passionate about independent and unconventional watchmaking, fused with a bit of Marc Newson, this watch is a must have in their collection.
Additional Details
Name: Type 3 Marc Newson
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 46,000 (excluding taxes)
Limited edition of 80 pieces.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
