When it comes to reimagining the craft of watchmaking, few brands do it quite like Ressence, and their latest release, the Type 8 Indigo (25,000 CHF), is a shining testament to this ethos. This limited-edition timepiece is born out of a collaboration with Shellman in Tokyo, as part of The Indigo Project—a celebration of the ancient Japanese art of indigo dyeing. The result is a watch that is as much a work of art as it is a tool for telling time, weaving together cultural heritage, craft, and modern design in an exceptionally beautiful package.
The story behind the Type 8 Indigo is one of craftsmanship and artistry. With its indigo-dyed dial, Ressence has brought an ancient Japanese tradition into the world of luxury watchmaking. The dial is designed to evoke the growth rings of a tree, symbolizing the passage of time through concentric lines that seem to tell their own story. Crafted with care, each watch is woven from 2.5 meters of indigo-dyed silk thread by Swiss Arts & Métiers artisans, marking the first collaboration between Ressence and these highly skilled craftsmen. It’s a process that requires two full days of meticulous assembly, resulting in a dial that is both textured and alive with depth.
The indigo pigments used for the dials reveal a striking spectrum of shades, ranging from vibrant electric blues to nearly black tones. It’s this interplay of colours that makes the Type 8 Indigo so captivating. Each glance at the watch reveals a new aspect of its beauty, as the shades of blue shift and change with the movement of light, creating an ever-evolving experience. This dynamism makes it a timepiece that offers something new every day, drawing the wearer in to appreciate the subtle artistry and intricate craftsmanship that has gone into its making.
The Type 8 Indigo doesn’t just rely on aesthetics, however. It is a quintessential Ressence watch, featuring the brand’s signature design language and revolutionary time display. Instead of traditional hands, the watch uses rotating discs that move in perfect harmony, providing a fluid, intuitive reading of time. The watch is housed in a lightweight, titanium case that is polished to perfection, giving it a modern and sleek appearance that complements the artisanal dial.
For those who appreciate the intersection of heritage, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge design, the Ressence Type 8 Indigo is a true collector’s piece. It’s a watch that tells more than just the time—it tells a story. A story of centuries-old craftsmanship, of cultural collaboration, and of the beauty that emerges when tradition meets modernity. With its limited availability and exquisite execution, the Type 8 Indigo is a celebration of artistry and a reminder that time, like the threads of indigo, weaves a beautiful narrative for those who take the time to look closely.
Whether you are a collector of rare timepieces or simply someone who values the finer things in life, the Ressence Type 8 Indigo offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of wearable art. It’s a watch that embodies the best of both worlds—honouring the past while embracing the future—and does so with undeniable elegance and grace.
