Ressence TYPE 3 BB2 – Liquid Magic

Ressence, a brand born from the vision of Belgian industrial designer Benoît Mintiens in 2010, has always been about rethinking what a watch can be. By blending cutting-edge technology with a minimalist design, Ressence has redefined the way we experience time. Known for their oil-filled watches, which offer a remarkable visual experience and exceptional legibility, Ressence has captured the attention of horology enthusiasts and design lovers alike. Over the years, the brand’s innovative approach has earned it a reputation as a true pioneer in the world of watchmaking.

Continuing this tradition of innovation, Ressence has just introduced the TYPE 3 BB2, a watch that has just been awarded the ‘Best of the Best’ at the 2024 Red Dot Design Award—often seen as the Oscars of product design. This honor reinforces Ressence’s place at the forefront of watchmaking, where technical innovation meets elegant design. The TYPE 3 BB2 is a striking evolution of the brand’s commitment to hyper-minimalism, presented in a sleek black edition that takes the visual appeal of the watch to new heights.

This black edition of the TYPE 3 BB2 accentuates the watch’s hyper-minimalist design, where the combination of its dark hue and oil-filled chamber makes the thin space between the discs almost disappear. The result is a mesmerizing effect whenever the dial moves, capturing attention in a way that few watches can. Benoît Mintiens, the mind behind Ressence, describes the nearly pitch-black TYPE 3 BB2 as a showcase of the magic behind its flush rotating discs, which act like a mechanical screen, playing tricks on the eye and sparking a sense of wonder.

The design of the TYPE 3 BB2 is all about subtle, captivating details. Its edge-to-edge sapphire crystal, which spans both the front and back, gives the watch the sleek appearance of a dark pebble. This is paired with a matt black DLC-coated titanium case that contrasts beautifully with the glossy sapphire. Drawing inspiration from the limited 2022 TYPE 3 BBB, the TYPE 3 BB2 sticks to a pared-back color palette, using mostly white and light grey inscriptions on its dial, with a few touches of primary colors marking weekends and oil temperature indicators.

When the TYPE 3 was first launched in 2013, it turned heads as the first-ever oil-filled mechanical watch. This innovative design eliminates the distortion caused by light refraction, ensuring that the watch remains exceptionally readable from any angle. To achieve this, the upper chamber is filled with 3.57 ml of oil, creating a magnified effect that makes it seem like the information is projected directly onto the glass.

Beyond its striking appearance, the TYPE 3 BB2 is designed to be functional in all lighting conditions, thanks to the use of Grade A Super-LumiNova® on the engraved indications. However, the oil within the watch is sensitive to temperature changes, which could impact its performance. To counteract this, Ressence developed the Bellows System—a self-adjusting pressure-balance mechanism that compensates for the expansion and contraction of the oil in varying temperatures. A temperature gauge on the dial visually represents this system.

The TYPE 3 Black Black 2 stands alongside the TYPE 3 Black, White, and Eucalyptus Green editions. With its innovative features and captivating design, the TYPE 3 BB2 is a testament to Ressence’s ongoing pursuit of pushing the boundaries of what a watch can be.

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