Ressence Fills the Type 9 with Sand for Seddiqi’s 75th Anniversary

No hands, just sand.

Ressence is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its retailer in the United Arab Emirates, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, in distinctly granular manner with the quirky, sand-filled Type 9 S75. A limited edition of only 20 pieces, the S75 is based on the recently introduced Type 9, the brand’s minimalist, entry-level model. The dial is coated with sand sourced from the seven Emirates that make up the desert country in the Arabian peninsula.

Initial Thoughts

Typically, sand, or any sort of grit for that matter, in watches is undesirable, but Ressence is challenging that perception. The hands do not cut through the sand as it may first appear. Instead, the sand is suspended in a clear adhesive, bonding it to the titanium discs that show the time. This might be somewhat disappointing for those who hoped that Ressence had overcome the physics of materials, but perfectly logical.

Filling the watch with loose sand would create a more dynamic dial, it’d also require enormous torque to push through. Since sand is a coarse and rough natural abrasive that gets everywhere, it’d likely destroy the module anyway. Past Seddiqi editions by other brands did actually have loose sand within the case, but contained within a sealed module entirely separate from the movement and dial.

While the sand might seem like a gimmick on the face of it, the granular surface adds a different, earthy, and even organic, texture to the traditional Ressence aesthetic of sleek, smooth, and mechanical. Moreover, clever engineering of the orbital module and creativity make this more than just a novelty watch.

The Seven Sands

The sand has been gathered from each of the seven Emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including Dubai where Seddiqi was founded in 1950.

The color differences hint at where each grain hails from; a darker grain is more likely to be from Fujairah, while a paler one is more likely to be from Dubai. The sand is paired with an incredibly on-theme camel leather strap.

Sand aside, the rest of the S75 is identical to the regular production Type 9. Inside the titanium case is the reliable ETA 2892, the minute axle of which powers the patented “Orbital Convex System” module. The entire titanium dial turns once per hour to indicate the minutes, while hours are indicated on the eccentric hours sub-dial that travels on jewelled ball bearings.

Both hands and the engraved graduations are filled with green Super-LumiNova for visibility in the dark, and extra contrast against the sandy backdrop in the light.

The polished titanium case is only water resistant to 10 m, due to the patented setting and winding system, which is integrated into the case back. That is especially appropriate for the extremely arid UAE, though perhaps not a Dubai beach resort.