The Ressence Type 11 And RW-01 Movement

Most of you know the deal with Ressence watches by now. The highly original creations by Belgian designer Benoît Mintiens tell the time through an intuitive layout. The watches don’t use conventional hands; instead, they feature several eccentric satellites. Until now, the brand’s so-called Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS) was always powered by a highly customized Swiss ETA 2892-2 movement. Well, that’s about to change with the introduction of the brand-new Type 11 and its integrated Ressence Werk, named RW-01.

The RW-01 automatic movement was specifically designed to power the ROCS module and developed in collaboration with a Swiss movement manufacturer. In addition to the new movement, the Type 11 also features a new power reserve indicator with a string of lighter and darker ceramic microballs. Let’s take a quick look at what the Belgian brand has created here.

The brand-new Ressence Type 11 in Pine, Sky, or Latte

Like all other Ressence watches, the brand-new Type 11 also has a Grade 5 titanium case. Its shape reminds me slightly of the Type 9, but the 41mm diameter is a bit wider. It’s almost completely polished, except for the circularly brushed case back. With a 45mm lug-to-lug span, the watch is relatively compact for its diameter, and it has an 11mm profile, including the domed sapphire crystal atop the pebble-shaped case.

At launch, you can choose between a Pine (green), Sky (blue), or Latte (beige) dial. All color variations feature different combinations of grainy and brushed finishes, changing how the dials play with reflections. The Type 11 dials all feature indicators for the hours, minutes, and running seconds.

However, the most exciting dial component is the new power reserve indicator. Instead of a hand, there’s a string of ceramic microballs in different colors telling you how the new movement is doing on juice. This is something I haven’t seen anywhere else, and it’s a very nice signature by Benoît.

The new RW-01 movement

All right, on to the next exciting reveal of today, Ressence’s first integrated movement, the RW-01. As mentioned, all previous Ressence watches were powered by a highly modified Swiss ETA 2892-2 movement. The company made it work, but the dial and movement sides of the watches were always two very separate parts. In comes the Ressence Werk 01, the first movement designed and developed to power the brand’s ROCS module.

That means the movement and the dial are fully aligned and integrated. The new RW-01 automatic movement runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour and features 40 jewels, 67 gears, and 18 ball bearings. Two barrels offer a power reserve of 60 hours, and along with the balance wheel, they mimic Ressence’s satellites on the dial. Other than that, the RW-01 is intended as a workhorse, not a showpiece. However, through a small window on the case back, you can see the rotor spinning. Of course, the case back also features a lever to wind the movement and set the time. There’s no conventional crown on the Type 11.

The case back attaches to the case with four screws. This construction helps keep the Type 11 water-resistant to 3 atm.

Premiering at Watches and Wonders Geneva next week

I haven’t seen the new Ressence Type 11 in person yet, but I’m very much looking forward to doing so at next week’s Watches and Wonders show in Geneva. I’d love to try the new case on my wrist and play around with the new movement inside. I’ll also bring my loupe to take a good look at the ceramic microballs inside the power reserve indicator. In that sense, the Ressence Type 11 is a watch full of firsts. I can’t wait to go hands-on with it next week.

The brand-new Ressence Type 11 with the new RW-01 movement costs CHF 23,000 (excluding VAT). You can choose to buy it on a leather, rubber, or hybrid (leather and rubber) strap, but a titanium Milanese bracelet is another option. I’d also like to check out that mesh bracelet next week. In the end, there’s still a lot to learn about the new Ressence Type 11. But with the company’s first fully integrated movement, Ressence is definitely entering a completely different ballgame.

What do you think of the new Ressence Type 11 and the new RW-01 movement? Let me know in the comments below.

Watch specifications