Ressence celebrates Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75th anniversary with a literally sandy Type 9
Tom Austin- Ressence joins forces with acclaimed UAE retailer Ahmed Seddiqi, to release a limited-edition Type 9 with a remarkable difference.
- Released to commemorate the Seddiqi’s 75th anniversary, Ressence has incorporated sand from each of the seven Emirates into the Type 9 S75.
- To drive the Middle Eastern inspiration home, the watch’s finishing touch is a leather strap made from genuine camel hide.
One of the things we love most about the independent watch brand sector is its freedom to innovate. The lack of stuffy, brand-protective restrictions, combined with a busy attention economy, means taking risks is high on the priority list. This gives us, the consumer, a wealth of choice when it comes to picking something different. Whether it’s leftover paint, coffee, or pizza, there’s always something that stands out. One brand in particular has built a reputation around being different from the get-go, even with its standard catalogue. Swiss-Belgian brand Ressence has spent the last 15 years bending the rules and carving out its very own niche in minimalist watch design, and it has just done it again with the Type 9 S75.
The Type 9 is Ressence’s rendition of a more compact and minimalist watch, maintaining the brand’s distinctive design language while featuring a clutter-free dial that differs from the rest of the range, as well as a slightly downsized 39mm case. This clean look left a fresh canvas, which has been put to excellent use with this new model, thanks to a collaboration with the UAE-based watch and jewellery retailer Ahmed Seddiqi.
Established in 1950, Seddiqi now covers 50 retail locations in the United Arab Emirates and is a staple in the region for the watch industry. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, this partnership with Ressence is designed to embody the spirit of the UAE, and what better way to do that than to incorporate an actual part of the landscape into the watch?
Encapsulated in the articulating dial of the Type 9 are real grains of sand from the seven regions of the UAE, bringing together the slightly different, sandy tones of the deserts of places like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The result is a unique, hourglass-like texture unlike any other Ressence we’ve seen before. Complimenting the earthy tones is a radially brushed hour dial finished in golden brown, with contrasting luminescent markers that match the simplistic, yet striking hands.
In polished grade 5 titanium, and shaped like an ocean-smoothed pebble, the case has a tactile, lightweight feel. The proportions are complemented by a heavily domed sapphire crystal and a shallow outer bezel that contains the simple minute markers. Its 39mm diameter and 11mm thickness make for an excellent wear experience, especially considering the watch weighs just 40 grams. Its short lugs and lack of crown on the side allow for an uninterrupted silhouette, keeping the design clean and minimalist. There is a slight downside to the case design, in that it only offers splash-resistance (or a depth rating of 10 metres), but for a watch like this, it’s probably one you wouldn’t want to take swimming anyway.
Speaking of the crown, another unique element of Ressence’s design language is the use of a rotating caseback in place of a traditional crown to interact with the movement. This is a familiar feature on Ressence watches now, and this model features a “1 of 20″engraving to denote its rarity. It’s directly connected to the heavily modified base ETA 2892-A2 calibre, a self-winding calibre that features Ressence’s patented ROCS 9 module, which converts the traditional concentric rotations of the movement into the unique, orbital rotations visible on the dial of the Type 9.
The ROCS 9 is the smallest iteration of the module that Ressence has developed, allowing for more compact dimensions, and still features the signature rotating discs on the front. This, combined with the sandy textures, is just an awesome look and makes the watch a true conversation starter.
To complete the desert theme, Ressence has chosen an appropriate strap to complement both the dunes and the UAE’s cultural heritage, opting for a genuine camel leather strap finished in a light tan. This is closed with a polished ardillon buckle, again in grade 5 titanium, like the case.
Ressence Type 9 S75 price and availability
The Ressence Type 9 S75 is available from Ahmed Seddiqi boutiques starting June 16th and is limited to 20 pieces. Price: CHF 19,900 (exc. VAT)
| Brand | Ressence |
| Model | Type 9 S75 |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 11mm (T) |
| Case Material | Grade 5 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 10 meters |
| Crystal(s) | Domed sapphire crystal |
| Dial | Sand grains |
| Strap | Camel leather strap, titanium pin buckle |
| Movement | ETA 2892A2 ROCS 9, in-house module, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 36 hours |
| Functions | Hours and minutes |
| Availability | Limited to 20 pieces |
| Price | CHF 19,900 (exc. VAT) |