Introducing: The Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson — A Playful Nod To The Ikepod Megapode
In the eyes of Benoît Mintiens, a Ressence watch should tell the time in the most user-friendly way. That’s why he came up with discs that are more intuitive to read than more conventional hands. Someone who’s also intrigued by simplicity and functionality is industrial designer Marc Newson. Known for his work in the automotive, aircraft, and furniture industries, Newson combines innovative technology and craftsmanship to create timeless, fluid, and functional designs. Now the two designers have joined forces to create the oil-filled Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson.
Benoît Mintiens and Marc Newson
As you might know, this certainly isn’t Marc Newson’s first endeavor into watches. In 1994, he founded Ikepod with Oliver Ike. His designs, including the Hemipode and Megapode, were known for their big, round, and pebble-like monocoque cases. Unfortunately, Newson left Ikepod in 2012, but if you’d like to learn more about the brand’s history and Newson’s role in it, make sure to read Jorg’s article. The new Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson is certainly a playful nod to Newson’s earlier Ikepod designs.
The Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson
Usually, Ressence’s Type 3 has a 44mm Grade 5 titanium mid-case with a double-domed sapphire crystal on both the top and the bottom. However, in true Ikepod fashion, the Type 3 Marc Newson has a slightly bigger 45mm case. It also exchanged the sapphire on the bottom for a Grade 5 titanium elliptical case back. In addition, the rubber strap doesn’t attach to the usual wire-like lugs. Instead, it disappears directly into the case. That’s one of Newson’s signature design features — one he also introduced on the Apple Watch when working with Jony Ive.
But the Ikepod resemblances don’t stop at the case shape and size. The Type 3’s oil-filled dial still has the same distinct Ressence layout, of course, but the Ikepod Megapode inspired its color scheme. That’s why the sub-dials are black, the background is gray, and the playfully tapering “hands” are bright yellow. The celadon-green color on the minute pointer comes from the lume used on the original Megapode. The color scheme has great contrast, making it very easy to read the time.
The same impressive two chambers with magnetic transmission
As with all Ressence’s oil-filled watches, the Type 3 Marc Newson has a two-chamber construction. The dial side is filled with 4.15 ml of oil to eliminate any distortion. Using multiple micro-magnets, it connects to the second air-filled chamber, which contains the ROCS 3.6, a heavily modified automatic ETA movement. If you’d like to know more about the research and development behind Ressence’s oil-filled watches, their magnetic transmission, and temperature-compensating bellows, make sure to check out my article from last May.
This movement runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, features 47 jewels and 44 gears, and holds a 36-hour power reserve. On the dial side, it displays the hours, minutes, running seconds, day and date, and, finally, the oil temperature. You wind and set the Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson with the rotating case back. As this isn’t something you do every day, the instructions are engraved into it. As mentioned, the rubber strap directly connects to the Grade 5 titanium case and comes with a custom buckle in the same material.
Available now
The Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson is a playful nod to Newson’s time at Ikepod. It also brings together two industrial designers who have a very similar concept of product design. Their shared vision of clarity and sophistication comes together in this limited edition Type 3. As Benoît Mintiens mentioned in the press release, “One plus one can become more than the sum of its parts.”
The new Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson is a limited edition of 80 pieces. It costs CHF 46,000 (ex. VAT) and is available now on the official Ressence website and through the brand’s dealer network.
Let me know in the comments below what you think of the Ressence Type 3 Marc Newson.
