February 26 2026

Ressence Type 9 IKE – A Fusion Of Belgian Innovation And Japanese Craft

MRSTATELESS NEW RELEASES, RESSENCE 2026, Limited Edition, Oil Filled Dial, Terumasa Ikeda 0

The Ressence Type 9 IKE is not a conventional limited edition with a simple dial variation. It is the result of a collaboration between Belgian independent brand Ressence and Japanese contemporary artist Terumasa Ikeda, combining avant-garde watchmaking with one of Japan’s most traditional decorative techniques.

Limited to just eight pieces, the Type 9 IKE transforms Ressence’s minimalist platform into a vivid artistic canvas—while retaining the brand’s signature mechanical ingenuity.

A Compact Titanium Case with Futuristic Presence

The Type 9 IKE is housed in a 39 mm titanium case with a thickness of 11 mm, making it one of the more wearable references in the Ressence lineup. The lightweight titanium construction enhances comfort on the wrist, while the polished black DLC coating strengthens its contemporary, almost sci-fi character.

The fully domed sapphire crystal flows seamlessly into the rounded case profile, a defining element of Ressence’s design language. Thanks to the absence of a traditional crown—time-setting is performed via the caseback—the silhouette remains smooth and uninterrupted. The curvature of both case and crystal amplifies the visual depth of the dial, intensifying the colors and creating a dynamic effect as light moves across the surface.

The Raden Dial: Traditional Japanese Lacquer Art Reimagined

The focal point of the Type 9 IKE is its dial, crafted using the traditional Japanese decorative technique known as raden. This centuries-old method involves embedding fragments of mother-of-pearl into layers of lacquer to produce a shimmering, iridescent surface.

Working with mother-of-pearl presents considerable technical challenges. The material is naturally brittle and forms in concave shapes inside shells, while the Type 9 requires a convex dial surface. To achieve this, the mother-of-pearl must be carefully softened and then painstakingly shaped by hand to match the dial’s curvature. This delicate process demands precision and patience, especially given the tight tolerances required by Ressence’s orbital display system.

The result is a vibrant, multi-layered composition characteristic of Terumasa Ikeda’s artistic style. Bold lines and contrasting tones appear suspended beneath the domed sapphire crystal, creating depth and a sense of motion even before the display begins to rotate. As each dial is individually executed, subtle variations ensure that every one of the eight pieces carries a unique artistic signature.

Ressence’s Orbital Time Display

Beneath the expressive dial lies Ressence’s distinctive approach to time indication. The Type 9 employs the brand’s patented orbital display system, which replaces conventional hands with a continuously rotating dial architecture.

In this configuration, the entire dial rotates to indicate the minutes. Integrated within it is a smaller subdial dedicated to the hours, which orbits in sync with the main disc while maintaining a readable orientation. The absence of traditional central hands enhances the watch’s futuristic identity, as time appears to glide smoothly across the curved surface rather than being pointed out mechanically.

Compared to more complex Ressence models featuring multiple subdials and additional indications, the Type 9 remains deliberately restrained with a simple hours-and-minutes layout. This minimal structure allows the intricate raden artwork to remain visually dominant while preserving the clarity of the time display.

The ROCS 9 Calibre

Powering the Type 9 IKE is the ROCS 9 (Ressence Orbital Convex System) module, built upon a modified ETA 2892/2 automatic base movement. While the ETA calibre provides a reliable and well-established mechanical foundation, the proprietary ROCS module fundamentally transforms how time is displayed.

Instead of driving traditional hands from a central pinion, the system redistributes energy through a complex arrangement of gears to animate the rotating discs that define Ressence’s signature aesthetic. This re-engineering results in a display that feels unconventional yet mechanically coherent, aligning perfectly with the watch’s avant-garde design.

Limited Production and Collectability

The Ressence Type 9 IKE is produced in a strictly limited edition of eight pieces worldwide and is priced at CHF 32,000. The combination of handcrafted Japanese lacquer artistry, the technical challenge of shaping mother-of-pearl to a convex surface, and Ressence’s proprietary orbital display system positions this release firmly within the sphere of high-end independent watchmaking.

Blending centuries-old decorative tradition with modern mechanical innovation, the Type 9 IKE stands as a distinctive example of how contemporary horology can serve as a bridge between art, craftsmanship, and engineering.

Ressence Type 9 IKE – A Fusion Of Belgian Innovation And Japanese Craft

A Compact Titanium Case with Futuristic Presence