The TYPE 3 MN represents more than a collaboration; it is the fusion of Marc Newson's pioneering approach to industrial design and Ressence founder Benoît Mintiens' innovative vision for time display.
With its ergonomic elliptical silhouette, the TYPE 3 MN features a domed sapphire crystal and minimal hands which appear suspended in an oil-filled chamber. This organic design combines Marc Newson's signature style with Benoît Mintiens' revolutionary oil-filled technology, powered by Ressence's patented ROCS (Ressence Orbital Convex System), the proprietary display mechanism behind every Ressence watch.
"I wanted to merge our universes, " explains Benoît Mintiens. "Knowing Marc Newson's design universe, I saw a pioneer of industrial-design thinking in fine watchmaking, and that really interested me. I wanted to bring Marc's and Ressence's vision of watchmaking into one perfect product. How often do designers work together on one product? In my eyes, one plus one can become more than the sum of its parts. "
"As a longstanding admirer of Benoît's pioneering engineering and unique approach to watchmaking at Ressence, this collaboration provided a wonderful opportunity to synthesise our approaches; to conceive of a design that was distinct and innovative, yet cohered with my design language, ” says Marc Newson, the celebrated industrial designer whose diverse portfolio spans automotive, aviation, nautical industries, timepieces, products, and furniture.
Ergonomic precision meets seamless form
Newson's distinctive design language marries seamlessly with the artful engineering of the TYPE 3. "Ressence watches are a technical tour de force and remain unique in the industry. The original TYPE 3, in particular, balances clarity with sophistication. With the resulting TYPE 3 MN the perfect representation of my original vision has been realised; the result of a deeply gratifying, collaborative process." says Newson.
The watch features an ergonomic, elliptical silhouette a form Newson has refined over decades of work.
Bold, minimal hands playfully nod to Newson's iconic Ikepod watch designs of the 1990s.
The colour palette draws on subtle yet striking hues of celadon green, grey, black, and vibrant yellow, delivering visual clarity while preserving the watch's elegance.
The dial itself features Grade 5 titanium discs with four eccentric biaxial satellites inclined at varying degrees, including a runner disc. Engraved indications are filled with blue and green Grade A SuperLumiNova®, ensuring legibility in all lighting conditions.
Dematerialised time display
At the heart of the TYPE 3 MN lies Ressence's patented ROCS 3 system a mechanism featuring magnetically driven rotating discs that deliver a unique visual experience.
"The vision for the TYPE 3 was to have a dematerialised watch. You only see the time. It's as pure as can be," notes Mintiens.
The upper chamber is flooded with 4.15 ml of silicone oil, cancelling out the distortion caused by light refraction and ensuring exceptional readability from any angle.
This creates a magnified projection effect that gives the illusion of information displayed directly on the glass, with time appearing to float beneath your fingertips. The domed sapphire crystal enhances this suspended time-telling experience.
For those who prioritise purity
"Drawn from my established timepiece design ideology, the formal process behind this watch proved to be deeply rewarding: one which underlined my longstanding joy and fascination in this area of expertise," says Newson, who notes that his design philosophy is dependent on an oscillation between past ideas and processes, and the constant urge for reinvention.
"I would like this watch to connect with those for whom purity of form, quality of material and complex engineering is prioritised: those who admire, and find beauty, in a refined aesthetic, and find resonance with an object which looks and feels highly considered, coherent and elegant."
A testament to 'Simplication'
The TYPE 3 MN embodies Ressence's creative spirit and reinforces its commitment to 'Simplication' the brand's belief that good design creates clarity without losing soul, functionality without sacrificing beauty, and simplicity that resonates deeply.
"In watch design, you can manage every dimension yourself—aesthetics, technique, ergonomics, economics, mechanics and push each to a higher level," says Benoît Mintiens, noting that this unique collaboration raised the stakes in this regard. "The real challenge is coherence between them. When everything aligns, you get a logic of its own a new reality. That's exactly what we aim for with TYPE 3."
