RESSENCE
SEVEN BELLOWS
Each of Ressence’ s seven bellows is a self-equilibrating pressure-balance system. The bellows extend or compress to compensate for changes in the oil’ s internal volume between-5 degrees and + 55 degrees Celsius. This range covers all extreme temperature situations the watch might undergo. + 10 to + 40 degrees Celsius- the white zone- corresponds to the watchmaking industry’ s norm.
Ressence Type 5
NO MIRROR REFLECTION UNDER WATER
To achieve the best-ever readability underwater, the complete ROCS 5- all 142 components, including the dial- is immersed in 37.5 ml of oil. The use of oil ensures complete legibility whatever the angle of view. A first for a mechanical watch.
changes, so Mintiens has built in a system of seven small bellows that compress if the temperature rises, raising the oil volume, or expand if the temperature drops to reduce the oil volume. This system is directly connected to the fun and functional oil temperature gauge on the dial.
Mintiens says he created this complicated gearing system so he could offer what he calls a more intuitive reading of the time. He says he wants his timepieces to be“ extensions of nature, all curves with only rounded shapes.” Indeed, the company name comes from a contraction of the phrase“ renaissance of the essential,” which Mintiens champions as a starting point to talk about how time is displayed.
LATEST MODELS
RESSENCE TYPE 5 Ressence last year added an all-black case to its Type 5, renaming the new model Ressence Type 5BB($ 35,800). Mintiens built the Type 5 to highlight the strong visibility of his unique oil-filled system, but he also notes that the watch’ s case design, gently domed sapphire crystal and convex dial are together meant to evoke a more naturalistic rounded shape that mimics the hydrodynamic profile of a sea turtle.
74
WRISTWATCH | 2017