At this year’s Dubai Watch Week, Ressence and its Middle East retail partner, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, have unveiled their third and final edition – the Type 1 DX3. This unique timepiece puts a distinctive twist on the minimalist Type 1, featuring a dial inspired by Arabic geometric patterns, echoing the aesthetic of the pair’s past collaborations.

Initial thoughts

This limited edition for the Dubai retailer resonates with me – and is arguably one of the most outstanding recent watches from Ressence – illustrating the potential to blend modern aesthetics while grounding the watch in the region. It manages to stand apart from Ressence’s minimalist watches, which have been iterated in a multitude of variants to date.

The DX3 sticks to the outline of the standard Type 1 Round, but its standout feature lies in the copper-tone dial that’s embellished with captivating rose motifs reminiscent of Islamic art and architecture, and further accented with Super-Luminova that glows green.

The Type 1 DX3 retails for CHF23,600, will be limited to merely 35 pieces and accompanied by a copy of Arts & Crafts in Motion, the brand’s first book that’s published jointly with Seddiqi.

Considering the dial decoration, this undeniably presents a more alluring proposition in contrast to the standard production models. However one can hope that Ressence will maintain the exclusivity of this design and refrain from replicating it later on.

A cloisonné dial with Arabic patterns

The DX3 marks the culmination of a trilogy of collaborations between the Belgian independent brand and its Dubai-based retailer. This partnership commenced in 2019 with the Type 1 DXB, a creative reinterpretation of the Type 1 Squared design distinguished by its openworked dial. Subsequently, two years later, the collaboration yielded the Type 1 Slim DX2, featuring an elegantly engraved copper dial. 

The focal point here is the convex German silver dial, embellished with an array of geometric patterns reminiscent of Arabic art and rose gold-coloured tones inspired by the nearby desert.

To enhance the visibility of the watch, the brand employed a technique similar to cloisonné where Super-Luminova is applied to the geometric cells of the motif, as well as to the numerals and indicators, ensuring the display endures even during the night.

Aside from the artisanal touch to the dial, the overall design and case dimensions of the DX3 remain consistent with the standard models of the Type 1 Round. Made of grade 5 titanium, the case measures 42.7 mm in diameter and 11 mm high. Likewise, it features a crown-less case where winding and setting is accomplished through a broad lever that pivots out from the case back. 

The DX3 is equipped with the Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS), presenting the time through a set of discs orbiting around the central axis of the dial. These discs indicate the hours, minutes, seconds, and day of the week. The entire mechanism is powered by a separate module, driven by the minute wheel of the ETA 2892 base movement.

Key facts and price

Ressence Type 1 Round DX3

Diameter: 42.7 mm
Height: 11 mm
Material: Titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 10 m

Movement: ROCS 1.3
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and day of the week
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 36 hours

Strap: Beige rubber strap with pin buckle

Limited edition: 35 pieces
Availability: Only from Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons
Price: CHF23,600 (excluding taxes)

For more information, visit Ressencewatches.com.