The Ressence Type 3 ($30,000) is unlike any watch ever seen before. Liquid filled, floating display, no crown, no hands – pure evolution of time. So, how do you set it? Watch the video above to find out… wristshots below. Learn more at ressencewatches.com.

The indications and their mechanisms are mounted inside a bubble crafted from extremely tough, anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The complication and indications follow the shape of the crystal. The mechanism (28 gears, 57 jewels) is enclosed in an upper compartment filled with a naphtha-type liquid that has a more similar index of refraction to the sapphire crystal than air does. Refraction bends light when it passes from one material to another, e.g. air-to-glass or glass-to-air. With the fluid-filled dial indications, refraction is greatly minimized, which tricks the brain into seeing the dial in two-dimensions rather than three. A thermal valve automatically adjusts for any expansion or contraction of the fluid.

At Baselworld 2015, Ressence is launching a new and improved version of the Type 3, now with a built-in temperature gauge to check the oil temps that fill up the upper case element. The dial has been rearranged to compensate for the new addition. It is not yet on their site, but you can count on KeepTheTime to get an updated video at this year’s show. Subscribe on YouTube for more.

Ressence Type 3 Watch

Ressence Type 3 Baselworld 2013

Ressence Type 3

Ressence Type 3 Liquid Filled Watch Wristshot

Ressence Type 3 Liquid Filled Watch (by Benoit Mintiens)

Ressence Type 3 Liquid Filled Watch Side Wristshot

Ressence Type 3 Liquid Filled Watch Close-up

The Type 3 Dial Explained:

Ressence Type 3 Dial Explained

Type 3 Technical Specifications:

FUNCTIONS: Date, Days, Hours, Minutes, Seconds ( 360’’ )
ARCHITECTURE: Sandwich construction with titanium membrane between movement and fluid-filled indication module.
SYSTEM: Information transmitted from movement to indications by micro-magnetic fields .
CASE: Sapphire crystal and grade 5 titanium
DIMENSIONS: 44mm x 15mm
CRYSTALS: Domed sapphire crystals top and bottom with anti-reflective coating on both sides
INDICATIONS: Convex dial and indications (radius: 125mm) in grade 5 titanium with black DLC.
Indications engraved and filled with white, grey and orange Super-LumiNova, glowing green and orange in the dark.
MODULE: Patented system invented and developed by Ressence.
Independent module comprising 28 gears and 57 jewels
Grade 5 titanium plate integrating three eccentric biaxial satellites inclined at 3° and 4,75° with a date ring around the circumference.
Shock absorber system.
The module and indications are completely immersed in fluid.
A thermal valve compensates for expansion/contraction of the fluid
MOVEMENT: Automatic winding movement, 25 jewels
Power reserve 36 hours,
Balance frequency 28.800 A/h
Visible ring-shape winding rotor
COMPONENTS: Total of 407 components.
WEIGHT: 175 grams.

Previous Model: Type 1
Ressence Seriesone Wristshot