Ressence Type 11 Sky: the Belgian watch that finally has its own engine

The Type 11 is a significant step for Ressence, the Belgian independent watchmaker founded by industrial designer Benoît Mintiens. Introduced at Watches and Wonders 2026, it replaces the modified base movement used in earlier Ressence designs with the RW-01, the company's first dedicated calibre, developed specifically to work with its unusual orbital display. The Sky version makes that engineering visible through a brushed blue titanium dial.

Instead of conventional hands, three eccentric satellite discs and the main dial move in a carefully coordinated pattern. A patented power-reserve indicator is particularly distinctive: a trail of tiny ceramic balls changes from darker to lighter colours as the movement winds. That display communicates the remaining reserve almost like a physical progress bar, without the usual needle or printed scale.

The self-winding RW-01 runs for around 60 hours. The polished grade 5 titanium case measures 41 mm wide and 11 mm thick, and a lever on the caseback handles manual winding and setting. Ressence lists the Sky at €30,500 including VAT. It is proof that the brand's apparent simplicity demands serious mechanical complexity under the surface.