Ressence’s newest release comes with a strong design pedigree, as the brand partners with industrial design legend Marc Newson to launch the TYPE 3 MN. This watch takes Ressence’s unconventional style even further, challenging the way we experience time on the wrist. With its innovative ROCS system and oil-filled, fluid displays, Ressence continues to push the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. This collaboration feels like the next logical step for the brand.
This partnership stands out because both Ressence and Newson share a similar design philosophy. Ressence is known for mechanical innovation, while Newson brings years of experience in aviation, automotive, and product design, as both focus on clean, functional forms with strong visual appeal. The TYPE 3 MN reflects this balance, using a distinctive palette of grey, black, yellow, and soft celadon green with stunning results of a modern watch that is instantly recognizable.
With only 80 pieces available and a price tag of USD $54,500, this watch is meant to stand out, not blend in. It’s a bold statement of top-level design and engineering. This release adds to an already ambitious year for the Belgian brand and confirms its reputation as one of the most innovative names in modern watchmaking.
This collaboration between Ressence and Marc Newson is built on a shared design philosophy that values clarity, purpose, and restraint instead of unnecessary complexity. Ressence is known for reimagining how time is displayed, using an orbital system rather than traditional hands. Newson, meanwhile, has spent years designing everything from aircraft interiors to everyday objects, always focusing on clean lines and usability. When these two approaches meet, the result feels thoughtful and natural.
This connection is clear in the development of the TYPE 3 MN. Newson worked closely with Ressence founder Benoît Mintiens to bring their ideas together, focusing on true collaboration instead of one side taking control. Newson says the partnership let them combine their approaches in a meaningful way, so both design styles could be present in the same watch without compromise.
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“As a longstanding admirer of Benoît’s pioneering engineering and unique approach to watchmaking at Ressence, this collaboration provided a wonderful opportunity to synthesise our approaches. Ressence watches are a technical tour de force and remain unique in the industry. The original TYPE 3 in particular balances clarity with sophistication. With the resulting TYPE 3 MN, the perfect representation of my original vision has been realised; the result of a deeply gratifying, collaborative process.”
Their goal was not just to collaborate but to truly merge two creative worlds into a single, unified result. The TYPE 3 MN shows a shared mindset, not just two separate ideas. Mintiens says bringing Newson into the project was about more than design—it was about seeing what happens when two designers challenge each other to achieve something better.
“I wanted to merge our universes. Knowing Marc Newson’s design universe, I saw a pioneer of industrial-design thinking in fine watchmaking, and that really interested me. I wanted to bring Marc’s and Ressence’s vision of watchmaking into one perfect product. How often do designers work together on one product? In my eyes, one plus one can become more than the sum of its parts.”
The TYPE 3 MN catches the eye right away with its case, made from Grade 5 titanium and shaped into a smooth ellipse that fits comfortably on the wrist. The design feels intentional and polished, a style Marc Newson has developed over many years in various projects. On this watch, it adds a gentle, almost natural look. The hands have also been updated, giving a subtle reference to his Ikepod designs from the 1990s. This touch adds character without distracting from the rest of the watch.
The watch also keeps the classic Ressence look, with its smooth, pebble-like shape that defines Benoît Mintiens’ style. The domed sapphire crystal is important here, covering an oil-filled chamber that changes how you see the dial and keeps the display clear from nearly any angle. This creates a bold effect that isn’t too complex, making the information seem to float just under the glass, almost as if time is projected onto it.
he TYPE 3 MN stands out because of the ROCS, or Ressence Orbital Convex System. Here, it features the latest version, ROCS 3.6, which shows not only hours and minutes but also includes a 180-second timer, day, date, and an oil temperature indicator. Rather than using traditional hands, the watch uses rotating discs that seem to move with life across the dial. The display is always in motion, yet it remains easy to read once you become familiar with it.
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Beneath the smooth display is a self-winding mechanical base that offers a 36-hour power reserve and runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The movement includes many carefully crafted parts, such as gears, jewels, and ball bearings, all working together for smooth operation. What stands out is the way energy is transferred: a magnetic system connects the traditional movement to the oil-filled display above, so everything works without direct contact.
A lot goes on behind the scenes to keep the watch stable and reliable. For example, a compensating bellows system compensates for changes within the oil-filled chamber, helping the watch perform consistently over time. Setting the watch is also unique, as you make adjustments through the caseback rather than a traditional crown. This keeps the design smooth and uncluttered. Altogether, the movement is not only technically impressive but also truly different in how it rethinks the way time is told.
The TYPE 3 MN is now open for orders, with only 80 pieces planned for production, making it an exceptionally limited release even by Ressence standards. Priced at USD $54,500, this is the kind of watch that goes beyond simple ownership, representing a rare meeting of ideas between Ressence and Marc Newson, and one that will ultimately land on the wrists of a very small group of collectors who appreciate both its design and the story behind it.
- Brand: Ressence
- Model: TYPE 3 MN
- Diameter: 44 mm
- Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal
- Caseback: Closed With Self-Winding
- Material: Grade 5 titanium
- Dial Colour: Convex Grade 5 titanium dial (125mm radius) with four eccentric biaxial satellites inclined at 3° (hours), 4.75° (thermal gauge and day) & 6.25° (runner)
- Movement: ROCS 3.6
- Power Reserve: 36 Hours
- Price: USD $54,500 (Limited Edition – 80 Pieces)
