A Closer Look at the Ressence Type 2 e-Crown
One of the leading providers of 21st-century mechanical watches is Ressence. This Belgian watchmaker is based in Antwerpen, Belgium, and has been in business since 2010. The business name is a portmanteau of ‘Renaissance’ and ‘essence’. Their watches certainly do provide the modern Renaissance man (or woman) with contemporary stylings built on a base of tradition. A highly-anticipated release from the watchmaker is due sometime this year. The watch, known as the Ressence Type 2 e-Crown, is an unprecedented juxtaposition of modern technology and old techniques. One of the only electro-mechanical watches with smartphone capabilities, it is a boundary-breaking piece that shows an appreciation for the modern world.
The Dial and Hands
The Ressence Type 2 e-Crown boasts ultramodern stylings throughout its entire design. The sleek dial is no exception – it is a nice, dark gray color that offers excellent contrast to the silver-colored number markers. The outer ring of numbers on this watch represents minutes, and is navigated by the longest hand on the watch. At the 9 o’clock position, you will find another dial with a smaller hand that will represent a sixty-second interval. The hours indicator is located at the bottom-center of the watch, and is represented with a mid-sized dial featuring 12-hour increments. Finally, at the 3 o’clock position you will find a power indicator. This watch will continue to function without power, but the smartphone capabilities will no longer work until it has a full charge.
This watch also features silver-colored hands that promote easy readability. They stand in stark contrast to the dark color of the dial, and match the color of the numerical markers. The hands are in a simple modern style, so they will not distract you from the overall vibe of the watch. Another feature of this watch will promote easy nighttime reading. The hands and markers have all been coated with an extra-strong blue Superluminova coating. This makes them glow in the dark, so you will never be left without an accurate reading no matter what time of day it is.
The Mechanism
The Ressence Type 2 e-Crown makes use of a revolutionary mechanism that combines the simplicity and reliability of a mechanical watch with the convenience of modern technology. In order to use the watch, you must first set it by hand. After you hook up the watch to the companion app, any further adjustments to the time will be made automatically. The app will capture data about time from your phone and transmit it to the watch. The watch will instantly adjust, ensuring top-notch accuracy at any time of day or night. If you forget to wind it up, the app will let you set it to the right time without any hassle.
Of course, the watch will require power to make use of the smartphone-compatible options. In order to keep a full charge, the Type 2 e-Crown will harness solar energy via solar cells. It also will use kinetic energy to slow the drain of the battery. The coolest feature of the charging system is the automatic shutters – they cover the solar cells, and will only open when the watch gets below 50% battery. The mechanism also offers perpetual synchronization. This means that any time you change time zones, or when daylight savings time kicks in, you will always have an accurate reading on the watch. This use of modern technology may be quite a step back from the plethora of features offered on a typical smartwatch. However, for a person who only wants the convenience factor of constant, care-free synchronization it is a solid choice.
The Concept
Currently, the Ressence Type 2 e-Crown is not available on the market. The watch has only been introduced as a concept so far. It is likely that Ressence is trying to gauge interest in the watch. As a significant departure from other smartphone compatible designs, there may not be a huge market for a watch that only offers time synchronization. After all, many watches that engage with smartphones also offer apps, games, or other features that go beyond simply telling the time.
The Verdict
You should keep an eye on this watch if you are interested in mechanical watches with a modern twist. Though it has not yet been officially released, watches from this manufacturer are generally priced between $15,000 and $20,000. It offers a cool, ultramodern style, with the durability and functionality of a traditional watch. Plus, the convenience feature of perpetual synchronization will be a huge contributor to the future success of the watch. Overall, it’s a good choice for a collector who is interested in unusual or tech-compatible mechanism designs.
