Ressence, the brainchild of Belgian designer Benoît Mintiens has evolved plenty in the 16 years since its 2010 founding — but one thing that hasn’t changed its the brands commitment to telling time differnetly — via the complex series of discs known as the (patented) Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS), where hands are replaced with a series of discs with indicators, for a time display that offers a futuristic interpretation of traditional watchmaking.

The Ressence Type 9 IKE is the perfect example of this dual approach. Before we talk about the incredibly eye-catching dial created with Terumasa Ikeda, it’s worth covering the Type 9. This 39mm watch is the newest addition to the Ressence collection, which debuted in 2024, and stands out not just because it is the most compact expression of Ressence’s craft, but also the most accessible. The smooth titanium case, with its crownless design (the caseback serves as the setting and winding mechanism), is incredibly tactile and blends pleasingly into the dial, sitting under a domed sapphire crystal, with a bezel marked with minute markers. The ROCS-equipped movement is built of a heavily modified ETA 2892.

Ressence Type 9 IKE

Terumasa Ikeda

The smooth titanium case with crownless design and the caseback serves as the setting and winding mechanism

Ressence’s ROCS display forms the perfect basis for the TRON-like artistry on the dial. At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking that the watch is offering a retro-futuristic array of blinking lights. Except, this veritable circuit board is made not from silicon and circuitry, but rather traditional Japanese crafts.

The TRON-like artistry dial

Terumasa Ikeda has created a composition specifically for the Type 9 dial, and realised it in urushi lacquer and raden (mother-of-pearl) techniques. “Within a single watch, the past and future co-exist, almost creating a paradox,” says Ikeda. “When I first saw the TYPE 9’s orbital display, it reminded me of a planetary system — something astronomical,” he says. “This inspired me to work around the idea of heliocentrism, when astronomers pursued truth through data even as authority resisted them. I really empathise with that attitude.” The resulting creation is visually arresting, and technically challenging, requiring Ikeda to curve the delicate mother-of-pearl pieces so they matched Ressence’s discs. The colour of the lacquer and nacre is emphasised by its absence elsewhere, the rest of the dial, as well as the bezel, case and strap are full black — with only the luminescent aspects remaining to enhance Ikeda’s design. Unsurprisingly, this creation is extremely limited, with only eight pieces produced.

The dial disc created in usushi lacquer and raden techniques

From the idea of heliocentrism, Ikeda curve the delicate mother-of-pearl pieces so they matched Ressence’s discs

Tech Specs: Ressence Type 9 IKE

Movement Patented ROCS 9 – Ressence Orbital Convex System – module driven by the minute axle of a customised automatic base calibre
Functions Hours and minutes
Case DLC-coated titanium, 39 x 11mm, 1 ATM of splash resistance
Dial Black with applied mother-of-pearl and urushi lacquer
Strap Black cordovan with titanium pin buckle
Price CHF 32,000 (Ex. VAT)
Availability Limited to 8 pieces