The Ressence ROCS’ convex discs have a 125mm radius with three or four eccentric bi-axial satellites inclined to varying degrees. This gives each watch not just a distinctive style- it gives time a certain sense of tactility. The sub-dials continually revolve, as does the main disc into which they are set- rather like moons around a planet.
ROCS Beneath the oil-filled top half of the Type 3 and Type 5 cases lies yet another ingenious Mintiens invention called Ressence Orbital Convex System, or ROCS, the three-dimensional revolving bridge system that translates the power from the minute-hand axle of the customized self-winding ETA 2824 / 2 caliber below directly to the dial.
The ROCS system, transmitted via a set of shielded magnets, creates the planetary movement visible on the dial, whereby each timing hand and day-of-the-week indicator rotates independently while the larger main disc( with the minute hand) rotates once per hour.
Several micro magnets, connected to each other, are positioned inside the upper half and the lower half and are separated by a grade 5 titanium membrane. These magnets, despite being separated, transmit the minute information from the base caliber to the ROCS.
Mintiens developed ROCS first for Ressence Type 1, which offers the same rotating, single-plane dial system, but without the oil refraction display he subsequently added to the newer designs. The movement is protected from the effects of any magnetism by a soft-iron Faraday cage.
OIL & BELLOWS As in the Type 3 and the Type 5, the ROCS is physically separated from the rest of the watch because it is suspended in oil. Remember that oil volume fluctuates as the temperature
2017 | WRISTWATCH 73