For the latest installment of its ongoing Art Watch series, independent watchmaker Ressence has joined forces with contemporary Belgian artist Jules Wittock to create a uniquely perplexing timepiece: the Type 9 Jules Wittock. Known internationally for his intricate, hand-drawn mazes that serve as both decorative artworks and fully solvable puzzles, Mr. Wittock has adapted his distinct creative medium to fit the rotating canvas of a wristwatch. By collaborating with Ressence, the artist has devised a clever, functional labyrinth that seamlessly integrates into the dynamic mechanics of the Type 9 dial.
Initial Thoughts on the Art Watch Phenomenon
If it feels like contemporary artistic collaborations are becoming an increasingly common sight in the horological world, that observation is entirely accurate. While the concept of pairing watchmaking with fine art is far from new—Swatch famously released its first artist edition back in 1985, just two years after the company’s inception—the format has evolved into a prominent staple for design-driven brands and independent watchmakers alike.
For Ressence, the Type 9 Jules Wittock represents the newest chapter in a distinguished lineage of artistic collaborations. The avant-garde brand has previously partnered with a diverse array of creative minds, including Shantell Martin, Stefan Sagmeister, and Daniel Engelberg. Furthermore, Ressence has frequently collaborated with renowned industrial designers such as Alain Silberstein and Marc Newson, both of whom have established themselves as regular contributors to various high-profile watch-related projects over the years.
While many artist collaborations in the industry result in a relatively straightforward dial variant—often stopping at a printed painting or a custom color scheme—Ressence is perhaps uniquely suited to this format. The brand’s signature rotating dial mechanism is capable of creating a constantly shifting, dynamic tableau. In this instance, Mr. Wittock has taken complete advantage of this technical architecture by designing a functional, hand-drawn maze that incorporates a hidden message, revealing itself within the complex pattern twice every day.
Fortunately, the pattern itself is abstract enough to be appreciated simply as an intriguing, geometric dial design when viewed from arm’s length. Because the display is in continuous motion, it results in a fresh visual presentation every few minutes. The organic design carries an aesthetic quality that almost resembles intricate brain tissue, making it visually compelling on its own merits even for those completely unfamiliar with the artist’s broader body of work.
The Jules Wittock edition is offered in two distinct versions to suit different collector preferences. The first is a monochromatic black-and-white variant housed in a stealthy black-coated case. The second is a brighter emerald green variant featuring a brushed case finish paired with a clever color-transitioning dial treatment that gracefully shifts from rich green to deep purple depending on the angle of the ambient light.
Regardless of the chosen finish, both versions feature cases crafted from lightweight and durable grade 5 titanium, with each variant strictly limited to just 30 pieces worldwide. The Type 9 Jules Wittock is priced at a premium compared to the standard production Type 9, but at CHF 20,000, it remains directly in line with the pricing structure of the brand’s prior artist collaborations.
An A-Maze-Ing Dial Design
The Type 9 serves as one of Ressence’s simpler horological platforms, traditionally displaying only the hours and minutes. This minimalist baseline has proven to be the ideal canvas for many of the brand’s previous Art Watches, as the clean, unobstructed expanse of the dial provides adequate physical space for guest artworks to take absolute center stage.
Mr. Wittock’s hand-drawn maze, developed specifically to accommodate the fluid, revolving elements of the Type 9 dial, has been meticulously engraved directly into the titanium dial plate and filled with a stark white lacquer to ensure high legibility against the contrasting background.
Although the complex pattern initially looks entirely random, it actually conceals a carefully constructed message. At precisely 12 o’clock, the main dial and its subsidiary indicators align in a specific orientation to reveal the hidden text written directly into the lines of the maze. As for the exact contents of the message, that detail remains a closely guarded secret. While the underlying text will inevitably come to light over time as collectors examine their watches, Ressence and Mr. Wittock have deliberately kept it under wraps, ensuring that new owners will have the exclusive privilege of being the very first to discover it.
Mr. Wittock’s creative vision extends beyond the primary dial surface as well, incorporating playful "in" and "out" indicators engraved directly into the outer bezel to denote the theoretical entrance and exit points of the labyrinth. Several other subtle, playful touches are scattered throughout the watch, including the clever way the maze pattern interacts visually as it continuously transitions beneath the hour hand.
It Still Features the Innovative ROCS System
Beneath the artistic exterior, the Type 9 houses an ETA-based automatic movement coupled with the brand’s patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS) module. These mechanical components are concealed behind a solid, closed case back, which is cleverly engraved with its own matching maze pattern along the outer edge.
While this case back pattern at first glance appears to merely mimic the aesthetic of the dial, it serves a highly practical mechanical purpose. The engraved labyrinth replaces the conventional serrations or notches found on standard watches, providing a secure, tactile grip for manual winding and time-setting. These critical actions are performed effortlessly by rotating the entire case back in alternate directions.
The ROCS 9 movement represents the brand’s original, foundational approach to modular movement construction, which inherently accounts for its relatively modest 36-hour power reserve. While the underlying ETA 2892 base calibre is normally capable of delivering around 50 hours of autonomy on a full wind, driving the complex, orbiting displays of the ROCS module demands significantly more mechanical energy than typical traditional hands.
Ressence has recently invested in developing its own proprietary base calibre equipped with dual barrels, engineered specifically to power the demanding ROCS system for up to 60 hours. However, this advanced new mechanical architecture remains confined for now to its debut platform, the higher-end Type 11.
Ressence Type 9 Jules Wittock Key Facts and Price
Reference Numbers: TYPE 9 JWB (black variant), TYPE 9 JWE (green variant)
Case Diameter: 39 mm
Case Height: 11 mm
Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium
Crystal: Sapphire crystal
Water Resistance: 10 meters
Movement: ROCS 9 (Resseence Orbital Convex System) based on an ETA calibre
Functions: Hours and minutes
Winding: Automatic via case back rotation
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Power Reserve: 36 hours
Strap: Leather strap equipped with a pin buckle
Limited Edition: 30 pieces produced in each color variant
Availability: Available through authorized Ressence retailers
Price: CHF 20,000 excluding local taxes
