Type 8 Indigo

Ressence unveils the limited-edition TYPE 8 Indigo, inspired by the Japanese art of indigo dyeing. Created as part of The Indigo Project with Shellman in Tokyo, this watch celebrates the expansion of Shellman’s retail space at Isetan Shinjuku, now Japan’s largest luxury watch destination.

The TYPE 8 Indigo features a minimalist dial made from indigo-dyed silk thread, symbolizing the passage of time with a design reminiscent of tree rings. Its expansive surface, featuring only hour and minute discs, highlights the vibrant shades of indigo. Created in collaboration with Swiss Arts & Métiers artisans, the dial’s organic spiral pattern evolves visually, ranging from electric blues to deep black.

Benoît Mintiens, Founder of Ressence, describes the use of silk thread as a groundbreaking innovation. A single 0.2mm, 2.5-meter thread is intricately applied to the titanium dial in a spiral, symbolizing time’s rhythm. Limited to just eight pieces, the TYPE 8 Indigo will debut at Shellman’s Isetan Shinjuku Watch Shop on November 25, 2024.

Ressence partnered with Buaisou for the dial, a master indigo dyeing company in Japan’s Tokushima Prefecture. Buaisou grows its indigo plants and oversees every step of the dyeing process, preserving this centuries-old tradition known for its iconic “Japan Blue.”

The technical complexity of the TYPE 8 Indigo is remarkable. With just 0.25mm between the dial and sapphire crystal, the titanium dial is precisely carved to accommodate the silk thread. Areas that cannot be thinned are coated in neutral grey PVD to accentuate the vibrant indigo. Each dial takes two days to complete, with the silk thread applied in a continuous spiral by a Geneva atelier using specialized techniques to preserve its color and texture.