Ressence · TYPE 1° Round Black
The model in detail
Meet the watch
The Ressence TYPE 1° Round Black is interesting for the way it changes a familiar view of time. Instead of hands above a stationary dial, discs bearing pointers revolve here. The composition changes continuously, although the watch remains mechanical and automatic. This is a review of an existing model rather than news of a premiere; the official store’s code for the black version is T13R-BXX1-CBA.
ROCS 1.3 — the Ressence Orbital Convex System — drives the display. The manufacturer describes it as a module powered by the minute axle of a specially adapted 2892 base calibre. The module turns movement into an orbital arrangement of indications. Calling the whole assembly an entirely new base calibre would be inaccurate: what matters here is the proprietary display construction combined with an identified mechanical foundation.
The large dial and three off-centre discs form a continuous convex surface. Hours, seconds and the day of the week appear on separate satellites; the minute indication is read on the main scale. On a first encounter I would begin with the two main readings — hours and minutes — before adding the others. The brand’s website has a simulator: before a fitting it helps establish whether you like this way of reading time.
EnlargeThe hour, seconds and weekday discs share a continuous convex surface.
© © Ressence · SourceDetails and limitations
The controls are unfamiliar too: winding and setting the day and time use a lever on the caseback. There is no ordinary side crown, so nothing protrudes from the right of the case. The other side of that convenience is a different setting ritual: consult the official instructions before use rather than trying to operate the back as if it were a conventional winding crown.
Grade 5 titanium helps keep the stated weight at 64 g including strap and buckle. The case nonetheless measures 42.7 mm across and 11 mm thick, topped by domed sapphire with an internal anti-reflective coating. The large diameter provides space for the display. At a fitting I would assess both the legibility of the discs and how the broad surface sits on the wrist.
Automatic winding does not remove the relatively modest 36-hour power reserve. Take off a fully wound watch on Friday evening and the specified reserve will not last until Monday. For someone regularly alternating several models, that means more frequent setting. To me, this everyday compromise matters more than an impressive component count or an unusual appearance.
The key limitation is splash resistance only: the official catalogue uses that phrase without promising suitability for swimming. I would therefore not choose the TYPE 1° Round for a pool or beach. The engraved markings are filled with Super-LumiNova, but that does not justify attributing measured brightness or glow duration to them. Night-time reading is worth assessing personally, just as daytime reading is.
The official store lists the black version at €24,150 including VAT; the seller’s actual offer and import terms need separate confirmation. I see this as a purchase for the way it displays time: ROCS gives mechanics its own visual language. If familiar reading, long autonomy and water activities matter more, the TYPE 1° Round asks for too many concessions. If you want to learn another way of interacting with a watch, its construction gives a substantial reason to choose it.
