Ressence Explore Minimalist Colour with New Type 8 Sage Green

Ressence are one of the most exciting watchmakers around, totally reimagining how we read the time with their signature orbital system. Last year they launched the Type 8, their entry level timepiece with a minimalist dial. For 2023, they’ve returned to the Ressence Type 8 with a new Sage Green colourway.

That colour is what’s new so let’s start there. It’s a pale shade of green called sage green, which has a desaturated quality that means it’s not quite so vibrant as more common colours like mint. In many regards sage is to green what taupe is to brown. One the one hand, the pale tone suits the minimalist design of the Type 8 but I do worry that without an injection of vibrancy somewhere, the whole package seems a little plain.

Although it could be argued that there’s nothing plain about the Type 8 itself on a mechanical and structural level. It has a 42.9mm diameter case in titanium with a smooth, domed design without a crown – all the time setting and winding being done via a rotating caseback. Housed inside is the ROCS 8 calibre with 36-hour power reserve. That might not be the most impressive reserve in the world but it’s how the Type 8 uses that power that’s spectacular.

Ressence’s Orbital Convex System means the entire dial rotates once per hour, functioning as the minutes hand. There’s then an hour subdial that also rotates completely, meaning that the appearance of the display totally changes minute by minute and hour by hour. The Type 8 is the most minimalist version Ressence produce, limited to just the two functions and simple white indicators.

It’s priced at CHF 12,500 (approx. £11,280), which is Ressence’s entry level price point. Although to call it accessible by any means would still be a stretch. Honestly, after launches like AIT Edition and Alain Silberstein collaboration that are dynamic and colourful, I was hoping for something equally exciting. The Type 8 Sage Green doesn’t quite scratch that itch, although it’s still a solid expansion of the range and enhances Ressence’s paired back aesthetic.