Type 1

A simpler Ressence

The Type 1 came in 2014, and the brand describes it as the most stripped-back watch it had made up to that point. It keeps the orbiting-disc display and drops the oil-filled chamber, so the display is air-filled and the construction is more direct. For many owners, the Type 1 is the way into the brand's display idea without the extra complexity of the oil system.

The line has gone through several versions. The original, Slim, Squared and Round versions differ in case size, movement and display module, and a service plan should follow the exact reference. The current Type 1 Round is a titanium watch, measuring about 42.7 mm across and 11 mm thick, and the brand gives its weight as about 64 grams with strap and buckle.

Those figures suit a watch you wear every day, and the thin, light case is part of its appeal. The trade-off is that the display is less distinctive than the Type 3's oil-filled effect, and that is a choice the owner should make on purpose.

ROCS 1.3 and the base movement

The current Type 1 Round uses ROCS 1.3, a display module in which curved discs rotate within a larger dial. The module is driven from the minute axle of a customised ETA 2892 base movement. The display is mechanical rather than digital, and it needs the same careful setting and adjustment as any mechanical watch.

The watch runs at 4 Hz, or 28,800 vibrations per hour, and its power reserve is 36 hours. Winding and setting are done with a lever on the caseback rather than a crown, so the routine is different from a conventional watch. A worn or damaged lever, or a seal around it, can allow moisture in, and it should be checked at every service.

A service on the Type 1 should cover the base movement and the display module together. The base is a standard caliber family that many watchmakers know, but the display is Ressence's own, and a shop should be able to explain how it handles the discs and their drive during reassembly.

Servicing a Type 1

Ressence recommends a complete overhaul every three to five years and an annual water-resistance test, carried out only at an authorized Ressence service center. The overhaul covers the movement, with complete dismantling, component checks, replacement of faulty parts, reassembly, oiling, adjustment and demagnetization. For the case, it covers replacing all gaskets, checking air and water resistance and carrying out any repairs or polishing needed.

Splash resistance is the rating for the Type 1 Round, and that is not a diving rating. Ask the center to confirm the rating for your reference, and don't expose the watch to swimming or immersion just because the case feels solid. The gaskets are the key to that rating, so replacing them at each service matters more than the case polish.

Out of warranty, a shop with ROCS experience can be a reasonable choice, but confirm its route to parts and procedures before agreeing to work. Ask for a written estimate that separates the movement, the case and the display work, and ask for the old parts back.

Warranty and care

The warranty covers manufacturing defects for two years from purchase. The card has to be completed, dated, signed and stamped by the authorized retailer that sold the watch. Normal wear, accidents and improper use are excluded, and so is work done by anyone outside the authorized network.

Care is largely about protecting the case and the seals. Avoid knocks, keep the watch away from strong magnets, and don't use the caseback lever beyond what the instructions describe. If the watch gets wet beyond splashes, or if the display stops moving smoothly, take it to an authorized center rather than trying to diagnose the fault yourself.

The annual water-resistance test is the easiest way to catch a seal problem early. Keep the result on the service paperwork, since a later claim or sale will depend on it.

Buying a pre-owned Type 1

The reference is the first check. The Type 1 family has several generations, and a listing that mixes specifications should be questioned. Compare the case size, the display module and the movement against the reference, and ask for the box and papers that match it.

Test the display. The discs should turn smoothly through their full cycle, and the caseback lever should work without binding. Look at the crystal and case edges for moisture or marks around the seals. Ask whether the case has been opened, and whether the watch has been serviced by an authorized center.

An independent report that covers the movement, the display and the seals is the strongest protection before you buy. A seller who refuses an inspection of the display is giving you a clear answer.

Choosing a specialist for the Type 1

Look for a shop that can name the reference and explain how it handles the ROCS 1.3 module and the caseback controls. Ask whether it has worked on a Ressence display, and how it will check the discs and their drive after reassembly.

For warranty work, the authorized center is the right route. Out of warranty, ask for a written estimate that separates the movement, the case and the display, and ask what will be replaced at the overhaul. Ask for the water-resistance result to be recorded, and for the old parts to be returned.

The best sign of a good specialist is an honest account of what the watch needs. A display that moves smoothly and seals properly is worth the care, and a shop that explains the plan clearly is the one to trust with it.

What to check on a Type 1

• Familiarity with the ROCS 1.3 module and the caseback lever
• An explanation of the splash-resistance rating for the exact reference, with new gaskets
• Confirmation of an authorized route for any warranty work
• A pre-owned check against the reference, the papers and the display

Common questions