Ressence’s revolutionary approach to horology continues, with a new oil-filled model sporting their in-house movement for the very first time.
As of the time of writing, we’re now several months removed from Ressence’s bombshell reveal at Watches & Wonders 2026. With Ressence’s highlight of that event being the debut of their Type 11, the Belgian independent announced its first in-house movement. With the Cal. RW-01, they declared their intent to move beyond the ETA-based calibres of the past. Made in collaboration with Concepto Watch Factory, the new movement was the first to feature a fully integrated Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS), as opposed to a standard module.
However, when it was first released, I was under the misapprehension that the Type 11 also introduced the Cal. RW-01 alongside the brand’s signature oil-filled dial. I was incorrect, as it turned out that the Type 11s, as Ressence as they may be, were filled with air, just like the Type 1 and Type 2 before them. This year, however, all of that changes. Introducing a new interpretation of both its singular craftsmanship and in-house manufacturing, the brand has unveiled its latest, and perhaps greatest, Ressence yet.
The Dark Night Rises
In a move that perhaps only makes sense for the Belgian brand, the Type 10 has made landfall after the Type 11. Speculation suggests that this watch was in development for far longer than the Type 11, but we may never know for sure. What we do know is that its debut already has a nickname in mind: Dark Night.
Measuring 41.5mm in diameter and 12mm thick, Ressence’s new watch sports a sleek, rounded frame. Crafted from Grade 5 titanium, it’s also impossibly light, leaning into the brand’s penchant for designing minimalist, futuristic watches in line with the philosophies of individuals like Marc Newson.
Where the Dark Night name really comes into its own is in the finishing, with the watch layered in a deep blue DLC coating that accentuates the dial’s features. A sunburst-brushed bezel further frames the dial and, while it looks like a diving bezel from the front, it’s actually fixed in place. If that hasn’t convinced you that it isn’t a diver, the 50m water resistance should do the trick. It’ll still serve you well above ground, though.
In any case, the watch comes complete with an integrated rubber strap and a blue DLC-coated titanium pin buckle to match. Overall, the Type 10 DN showcases a darker, yet slightly more colourful, side of Ressence. I certainly hope the blue DLC titanium is the start of many more colour options for these delightfully odd watches of theirs.
Oil Up
And speaking of delightfully odd, those new to Ressence might not know what in goodness’ name they’re looking at. That’s almost always the case with any watch the brand releases, but don’t worry, it’s actually pretty easy to understand. Beneath the convex sapphire crystal sits a similarly curved dial, with all the associated subdials angled towards its central point.
While the sapphire crystal might distort the watch and make time-telling illegible, Ressence’s method of filling the watch with oil removes all internal reflections and any sense of depth perception, making each element appear as though it were being broadcast on a distortion-free screen. Furthermore, the entire dial rotates, changing each subdial’s position in accordance with the central minute hand.
The largest of the subdials is the hour register, which is also fitted with a temperature indicator for the oil inside. The first of two smaller subdials, positioned to the left of the minute hand, is the brand’s signature running seconds, making a full rotation once every two minutes. It’s less of a precise time-setting feature and more of an indication that the watch is running at a glance.
Finally, the third subdial is a 24-hour register, connected to the new movement’s GMT complication. For as complex as the time-telling might initially look, once you understand it, it’s actually quite intuitive. Personally, the only feature I think should be changed is the running seconds, but even without a practical purpose, it adds to the dynamism of the design.
School of ROCS
This unique horological achievement comes courtesy of the new Cal. RW-04, which is somewhat visible through a circular aperture in the sapphire caseback. The 538-component automatic movement, also made in collaboration with Concepto Watch Factory, runs at the luxury-standard beat rate of 4Hz (28,800VpH), with a modern 60-hour power reserve. As stated before, the watch comes with both running seconds and a GMT (caller-style) complication, though the lack of a crown means the watch is wound and set via the caseback.
Both the Cal. RW-04 and its complications rotate thanks to Ressence’s aforementioned ROCS, labelled the ROCS-10 here. What’s interesting is that the ROCS-10 is kept hermetically sealed from the movement base, preventing the entire watch from being flooded with oil. While this might seem like a concern for the ROCS-10, it’s actually rather beneficial. Surrounded by oil 24/7, the system experiences little wear and tear thanks to constant lubrication.
Initial Thoughts
Ressence is always a fun brand to talk about, as its unique take on horology has always been as entertaining as it is mind-bending. With the release of the Type 11, the brand addressed perhaps the only pain point of its reliance on third-party movements. Knowing how reliable ETA calibres are, it’s hardly the biggest deal in the world, but partnering with Concepto made everyone certain of the Antwerp-based brand’s intentions going forward.
With the Type 10 DN, they’ve certainly delivered on what they promised. While previous models were air-filled, Ressence has returned to its signature oil-filled displays. In conjunction with the new in-house movement, the brand continues to prove itself as Belgium’s biggest player on the global watchmaking scene.
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | TYPE 10 DN |
| Dimensions | 41.5mm case diameter x 12mm thickness |
| Case | Blue DLC titanium |
| Dial | Oil-filled, blue titanium |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Semi-open, sapphire & hard coated blue titanium with winding & setting mechanisms |
| Movement | Automatic Cal. RW-04 with ROCS-10 system & caller-style GMT, temperature indicator, & 120-second runner complications |
| Power Reserve | 60h |
| Beat Rate | 4Hz / 28,800VpH |
| Water Resistance | 50m / 5bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Integrated blue rubber strap with blue DLC titanium pin buckle |