A unique confluence of natural elements and mechanical ingenuity has emerged from the collaboration between Ressence, the Belgian-based watchmaker, and Ahmed Seddiqi, the foremost luxury watch retailer in the United Arab Emirates. The result is the Ressence TYPE 9 S75, a limited-edition timepiece created to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi. This watch does not merely tell time; it carries a piece of the very landscape that has shaped the history and culture of the U.A.E., creating a profound connection between the wearer and the sands of the Arabian desert.
The conceptual foundation of the TYPE 9 S75 is a modern interpretation of one of the most ancient time-telling devices: the hourglass. For centuries, the steady fall of sand has been a visual metaphor for the passage of time. Ressence has ingeniously inverted this concept. Instead of sand marking time's passage through gravity, here, the sand itself moves with time. This philosophical underpinning is brought to life through a remarkable technical and artistic execution, transforming the dial into a dynamic surface that honors both an ancient tool and contemporary horological innovation.
Courtesy of Ressence
This project is deeply rooted in a spirit of partnership, a fact poignantly symbolized by a joint expedition into the desert. Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, the CEO of Ahmed Seddiqi, and Benoît Mintiens, the founder of Ressence, personally ventured into the dunes to collect the sand for the dials. This act was more than just a sourcing mission; it was a tangible representation of their shared vision and the collaborative essence of the timepiece. It underscores the personal commitment and mutual respect that define the six-year partnership between the two entities, a relationship previously solidified by the successful DX Trilogy of watches.
The dial of the TYPE 9 S75 is its most defining and evocative feature. It is not merely colored to look like sand; it is composed of actual sand, meticulously sourced in equal measures from the dunes of all seven Emirates that form the U.A.E. This blend creates a unique, tangible link to the nation's geography and heritage. The sand is carefully bonded to the Grade 5 titanium surfaces of the watch's hours and minutes discs, resulting in a textured, granular surface that captures the warm, earthy hues of the desert. The inimitable texture provides a stunning organic counterpoint to the clean, modern lines of the case and the orbital motion of the display.
Visually, the watch presents a compelling study in contrasts. A close look reveals the fine grains of sand forming a cohesive, moving landscape on the wrist. The surface has a subtle sparkle, reminiscent of sunlight on desert dunes. Against this warm, natural backdrop, the indicators for the hours and minutes are clearly delineated. These engraved indications are filled with green Grade A Super-LumiNova®, ensuring excellent legibility in low-light conditions while providing a crisp, technical aesthetic that complements the organic dial material. The entire composition is protected by a domed sapphire crystal that enhances the sense of depth and dimension.
The creation of the TYPE 9 S75 is a continuation of Ressence's established history of reimagining the mechanical watch. Founded in 2010 by industrial designer Benoît Mintiens, Ressence has consistently challenged horological conventions under its "Less is More" philosophy. The brand's focus has always been on improving the functionality and user experience of a watch by stripping away superfluous elements. This approach has led to signature innovations such as the removal of the traditional crown, resulting in perfectly ambidextrous timepieces that are set and wound via the case-back.
Courtesy of Ressence
Ressence's journey is marked by significant technical milestones. The brand first gained widespread acclaim for its revolutionary dial design, where time is displayed by rotating discs that are flush with one another, creating a two-dimensional, ever-changing graphic. This core concept, the Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS), is the heart of every watch they produce. Further innovations include the oil-filled dial of the TYPE 3, which eliminates refraction for crystal-clear legibility from any angle, and the TYPE 2, which introduced the world's first automatic self-setting crown. The TYPE 9 S75 continues this legacy, embodying refined simplicity in one of the brand's smallest and lightest forms.
This special edition is intrinsically linked to the legacy of its retail partner, Ahmed Seddiqi. Established in 1950, Ahmed Seddiqi has grown to become the U.A.E.'s most prominent and respected purveyor of luxury watches and jewellery. Its 75th anniversary is a major milestone, celebrating a long history of expertise, service, and a deep-seated passion for horology. The company is renowned for its carefully curated collection of over 100 brands and its role in fostering watch culture within the region. This collaboration with Ressence is a fitting tribute to that legacy, showcasing a shared commitment to both heritage and forward-thinking craftsmanship.
The partnership between Ressence and Ahmed Seddiqi is not new. The foundation for this anniversary piece was laid by the DX Trilogy, a series of three previous limited-edition collaborations that began in 2019 with the TYPE 1 DXB. Each piece in the trilogy explored themes relevant to Dubai and the wider region, demonstrating a successful and evolving creative relationship. The TYPE 9 S75 is the culmination of this six-year journey, representing the deepest integration of cultural identity and horological design the partnership has produced to date.
From a tactile and visual standpoint, the watch is a masterclass in refined design. The 39mm case is crafted from Grade 5 titanium, a material chosen for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. The entire watch weighs a mere 40 grams, making it incredibly comfortable on the wrist. The case features a combination of polished and satinated finishes, creating a subtle play of light that highlights its sophisticated curves and "sandwich" style architecture. The fluid lugs integrate seamlessly with the strap, creating a cohesive and ergonomic profile.
Courtesy of Ressence
Flipping the watch over reveals the signature Ressence case-back. Devoid of a traditional crown, the entire case-back serves as the interface for the watch. A gentle rotation in one direction winds the mainspring, while rotating past a certain point in either direction engages the time-setting function. This innovative system is not only practical but also preserves the perfect symmetry of the case. The case-back is engraved with essential information, including "RESSENCE," "TYPE 9," and, most importantly, its limited-edition status of "1 of 20" alongside a special "75" logo for the Seddiqi anniversary.
At the core of the TYPE 9 S75 is the patented ROCS 9 movement. This intricate mechanism is the driving force behind the watch's unique time display. The entire dial, which is a single convex disc of Grade 5 titanium, revolves once every 60 minutes, with the large pointer on its circumference indicating the minutes. Set within this main disc is a smaller, eccentric satellite disc that makes a full rotation every 12 hours to indicate the hour. This orbital system is driven by the minute axle of a heavily customized and reinforced ETA 2892/2 base calibre.
The technical specifications of the movement attest to its robust and reliable nature. The self-winding calibre operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and provides a power reserve of 36 hours when fully wound. The complex ROCS 9 module itself is comprised of 20 gears, 31 jewels, and 4 ball bearings, all working in concert to create the fluid, intuitive display of time that has become a Ressence hallmark. The entire assembly is a testament to the brand's ability to blend proven Swiss-made calibres with its own groundbreaking engineering.
The case construction is a significant aspect of the watch's character. With a diameter of 39mm and a thickness of just 11mm, the TYPE 9 S75 is positioned as a remarkably wearable and versatile piece. The choice of Grade 5 titanium for the case is both aesthetic and practical, offering a modern, technical look while ensuring durability and comfort. The watch's architecture is described as a "sandwich" construction, capped on both sides by domed sapphire crystals that enhance the visual depth of the dial and provide a clear view of the case-back engravings. While not a dive watch, it offers splash resistance suitable for daily wear.
Courtesy of Ressence
The dial's technical execution deserves further examination. The main dial disc has a 75mm radius of curvature, creating the distinctive convex shape that follows the line of the sapphire crystal. This disc runs on a jewel ball bearing for smooth, low-friction operation. The smaller, orbiting hours satellite is inclined at an angle of 9.75 degrees, a subtle but critical detail that ensures it remains perfectly aligned with the convex curve of the main dial throughout its rotation. This meticulous engineering is what allows the sand-covered surfaces to move in perfect harmony, creating a display that is both mechanically complex and visually pure.
Completing the aesthetic of the TYPE 9 S75 is a strap that is as meaningful as the dial itself. Crafted from genuine, naturally tanned camel leather, the strap is a direct nod to the heritage of the U.A.E. Camel leather is known for its durability and unique grain, and its use here adds another layer of authentic local character to the watch. The warm, tan-brown color of the strap perfectly complements the sandy tones of the dial and the cool grey of the titanium case. The strap measures 20mm at the lugs and tapers to 18mm, secured by a polished Grade 5 titanium Ardillon buckle that mirrors the material and finish of the case.
The philosophy behind this timepiece is perhaps best expressed in the words of its creators. Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi described the watch as "a unique tribute to the nation’s landscape, heritage, and innovative thinking," which "beautifully captures the spirit of the U.A.E." Benoît Mintiens highlighted the watch's position "at the crossroads between the ancient hourglass, the organic dome of the dial echoing the texture of dunes, and the regional origin of the piece." These statements reveal a shared passion for creating a watch that is rich with narrative and cultural significance.
The deliberate simplicity of the watch's functions—displaying only the hours and minutes—is a core tenet of the Ressence design ethos. By stripping the display down to its essence, the TYPE 9 allows the extraordinary dial material and the mesmerizing motion of the ROCS system to become the central focus. This minimalist approach makes the watch a "graceful gateway into the world of Ressence," appealing to individuals who value design purity and understated innovation. It is a watch designed not to shout, but to be contemplated and enjoyed.
This piece is a product of global collaboration, but its final assembly and quality control are purely Swiss. This commitment to Swiss manufacturing ensures that despite its avant-garde design and unconventional materials, the watch meets the highest standards of horological craftsmanship. It represents a fusion of Belgian design ingenuity, Swiss manufacturing precision, and the cultural soul of the United Arab Emirates, resulting in a product that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
Courtesy of Ressence
For the watch enthusiast, the Ressence TYPE 9 S75 offers a compelling proposition. Its extreme rarity, with only 20 pieces being produced, guarantees exclusivity. The story behind its creation, from the personal collection of sand to the celebration of a 75-year legacy, provides a rich narrative. The tactile experience is equally unique, from the surprising lightness of the titanium case to the distinctive feel of winding the watch via its case-back. Above all, the visual allure of the constantly shifting sand on the dial offers a subtle, mesmerizing animation—a private spectacle for the wearer.
The Ressence TYPE 9 S75 is priced at $19,500.00. Given its status as a limited edition of just 20 pieces created to honor a significant anniversary, it is available exclusively through Ahmed Seddiqi. This timepiece stands as a singular achievement in modern watchmaking, a successful and meaningful fusion of natural material and mechanical complexity. It is a celebration of partnership, a tribute to heritage, and a clear statement of Ressence's unwavering commitment to redefining how we perceive and interact with time.
Case: 39mm diameter x 11mm thickness; Polished/satinated Grade 5 titanium with sandwich architecture; Domed sapphire crystals; Splash resistance; Manual winding and setting via rotating case-back.
Movement: Patented ROCS 9 (Ressence Orbital Convex System) driven by a customised and reinforced 2892/2 base calibre; Self-winding; 36 hours power reserve; 28,800 vibrations per hour; 20 gears, 31 jewels, 4 ball bearings.
Dial: Convex Grade 5 titanium (75mm radius) with eccentric satellites inclined at 9.75°; Real sand sourced from the U.A.E. bonded on titanium Minutes and Hours discs; Engraved indications filled with green grade A Super-LumiNova®.
Strap: Naturally tanned genuine camel leather strap (20/18mm); Polished Grade 5 titanium Ardillon buckle.
Price: $19,500.00
Reference Number: Notes: A limited edition of 20 pieces celebrating the 75th anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi. The dial features real sand collected in equal proportions from the dunes of all seven Emirates of the U.A.E. The watch weighs only 40 grams.