Ressence watch brand, how Belgian watchmaker Benoît Mintiens pushes the boundaries of watchmaking with his innovative timepieces that combine modern performance and aesthetics.
In a world where time is money and efficiency is paramount, it's easy to forget the beauty and wonder of timekeeping. But for Benoît Mintiens, founder and designer of the watch brand Ressence, time is more than just a number. It is an experience, an emotion and a work of art.
Ressence watch brand Since its launch in 2010, Ressence has been on a mission to create watches that awaken the senses and provoke wonder. The Belgian brand's innovative watches may seem at odds with traditional watchmaking, but the meticulous removal of all non-essential parts and dimensions is what makes Ressence watches truly unique.
With a background in industrial design and engineering, Benoît Mintiens had the vision to create a watch that was not only beautiful, but also technologically advanced. Disappointed by the lack of innovation in watchmaking, he set out to create watches that were a pure expression of time, combining modern performance with contemporary aesthetics.
Path Benoît Mintiens to the watchmaker is a story of passion, perseverance and innovation. Born in Belgium in 1970, Mintiens has always been passionate about design and engineering. He studied marine engineering but soon realized it was his true passion industrial design. After completing his studies in Antwerp, he worked in a design consultancy and trained in marketing, finance, production and human factors.
During this time, Mintiens was frustrated by the lack of innovation in the watch industry. He knew he wanted to create a watch that was not only beautiful, but also technologically advanced. So he started working on his own watch in the attic of his house.
In 2010 Ressence was born and with it came a new era of watchmaking. Mintiens' vision was to remove all the noise around the expression of time and get back to the essence. The result was a series of watches that were a pure expression of time, without unnecessary parts or dimensions.
Model: Ressence Type 1
One of the most iconic watches Ressence is TYPE 1, which has a unique dial that appears to be suspended in mid-air. The design is the result of Mintiens' transition from a 3D to a 2D face, as the human eye reads two dimensions faster. The result is a watch that is not only beautiful, but also readable.
Ressence's commitment to innovation can also be seen in their watch TYPE 3, which is partially filled with oil to eliminate glass breakage. The result is a watch that is easier to read in all lighting conditions. And with its world's first automatic self-adjusting crown, TYPE 2 eliminates the need to adjust or wind the watch, making it even more convenient and user-friendly.
But hours Ressence are more than just technically advanced watches. There are also works of art that combine modern performance with modern aesthetics. The unique design of Ressence watches has earned them a loyal following among watch enthusiasts, and their timepieces are highly sought after by collectors around the world.
It's in the interview Mintiens spoke about his watchmaking philosophy. "Our starting point is the transition from 3D to 2D, and from there we strive to create watches that are a pure expression of time. We want to make watches that people love to wear every day. We believe that a watch should never look in a safe.”
Mintiens' dedication to creating watches that people will love to wear every day is evident in the watch designs Ressence. Each watch is crafted with attention to detail, using high-quality materials such as titanium to create watches that are not only beautiful, but also comfortable to wear.
At hours Ressence it's not just about aesthetics. They also include state-of-the-art technology that makes them more convenient and user-friendly. For example, the e-Crown® system in the TYPE 2 watch uses an electronic, automated system to set the time correctly, making it the world's first self-adjusting crown. And an oil-filled watch TYPE 3 is a testament to Ressence's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in watchmaking.
In addition to its innovative watches, Ressence has also become known for its commitment to sustainability. The brand uses recycled materials in its production processes and is constantly looking for ways to reduce their impact on the environment.
Ressence's commitment to sustainability and innovation has not gone unnoticed. The brand has received numerous awards for its watches, including the prestigious GPHG Watch of the Year 2019 TYPE 2 e-Crown®.
With an eye to the future, Mintiens is committed to further pushing the boundaries of what is possible in watchmaking. "We believe that watches should be durable and designed with the future in mind. If we can embrace high-end watchmaking with new technologies, the lifespan of watches will only increase as they can evolve over time,” he says.
In a world where time is often seen as something to be conquered and controlled, Ressence watches remind us that time is also something to be cherished and enjoyed. Mintiens' dedication to creating watches that awaken the senses and provoke wonder has resulted in a brand that is truly unique.
Ressence watches are not just watches – they are works of art that combine modern execution with modern aesthetics and are sure to be appreciated for years to come.
