Introducing: The Mesmerizing Black DLC Ressence Type 9 Ikeda

Ressence is back with a limited-edition Type 9 in the brand’s Art Watch Series. Last year, Benoît Mintiens introduced a colorful pair of Type 8 models in collaboration with German painter and sculptor Daniel Engelberg. This time, the Belgian brand asked Japanese artist Terumasa Ikeda to decorate the Type 9’s dial. He’s famous for applying laser-cut mother-of-pearl pieces and Arabic numerals to lacquered boxes. The boxes look like they come straight from The Matrix. The result on the Ressence Type 9 Ikeda is again very colorful, different, and, most of all, mesmerizing.

It has only been a little over a year since the Ressence Type 9 came out. However, it has already played a role in a couple of limited-edition collaborations. There was the sand-dial version celebrating Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75th anniversary, and we also saw The Armoury’s take on a dressier Type 9 with a fluted bezel. The new Type 9 Ikeda certainly fits this eclectic lineup.

As I stated in my recent article on the new all-black IWC Portugieser Chronograph in Ceratanium, I’m usually not a fan of blacked-out watches. However, when I opened the press pictures of the new Ressence Type 9 Ikeda, the watch immediately blew me away. That was even before I read about the meticulous work that went into decorating its colorful dial. Let’s take a quick look.

The Ressence Type 9 Ikeda

As mentioned, Japanese artist Terumasa Ikeda has quite a reputation for his meticulously decorated boxes and other objects. Ikeda uses urushi, a natural sap-based lacquer, to affix tiny laser-cut pieces of raden (mother-of-pearl) to these items, producing mesmerizing patterns. Applying his techniques to the Type 9’s domed dial was a particular challenge. The surfaces he usually works with are flat. This time, he had to soak the laser-cut mother-of-pearl pieces and bend them to fit the dial.

On this version of the Ressence Type 9, Ikeda used a combination of thin lines, tiny squares, and his signature Arabic numerals. Even the Ressence hand logo, a reference to the brand’s hometown of Antwerp, is mother-of-pearl. The rest of the Grade 5 titanium dial shows a black DLC coating, making the colors on the mother-of-pearl pieces stand out. I can imagine it’s quite hard to read the time when this watch is on your wrist. But who’s thinking about the time while being sucked into this mesmerizing, colorful dial?

A shiny black exterior

To focus most of the attention on the dial, the Grade 5 titanium case also features an all-black DLC coating. However, it does have a glossy finish that pairs well with the matching shiny black horse leather strap. With a 39mm diameter and 11mm thickness, the Ressence Type 9 is still the brand’s most compact watch. Inside is the company’s patented ROCS (Ressence Orbital Convex System) 9, driven by the minute axle of customized automatic ETA 2982-2. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has a 36-hour power reserve, and features 31 jewels. Owners can use the brushed titanium case back, which bears an engraved Terumasa Ikeda signature, to wind and set it.

Already sold out

As you can probably see from this article, I’m quite impressed with the new Ressence Type 9 Ikeda. I wasn’t aware of Terumasa Ikeda’s work before I read the press release for this watch, but it’s amazing what he does with those tiny laser-cut pieces of mother-of-pearl. Though I haven’t seen the watch in person yet, I can’t wait to look at it through a loupe during Watches and Wonders Geneva in April. In the images, it almost looks like a mesmerizing laser show right there on the Type 9’s dial.

Unfortunately, I don’t have CHF 32,000 / US$41,500 (excluding taxes) lying around to buy one. That’s OK, though, because the eight available pieces have already sold out. I can totally understand why, and I envy those who’ll soon be looking at this beautiful timepiece on their wrists.

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the new Ressence Type 9 Ikeda.