Ressence Type 3 BB2 Review
I have been a fan of Ressence for many years: I have previously reviewed a Type 3 in white and also the Type 1 Squared. The latest iteration of the Type 3, the BB2 (Black Black 2), pushes even further to showcase the unique approach to displaying time proposed by Ressence.
Evolution from the BBB
Similar to the limited-edition Type 3 BBB from 2022, but with thoughtful refinements, the BB2 presents several subtle yet significant differences:
- Matte versus polished DLC: Where the BBB featured a polished black DLC-coated case, the BB2 opts for a matte black DLC finish on its Grade 5 titanium case. This creates a striking contrast against the glossy double-domed sapphire crystal, giving the watch a more subdued, stealthier presence on the wrist.
- Return of colour accents: The BBB stripped away all colour for a purely monochromatic experience. The BB2 reintroduces Ressence's signature primary colour palette in restrained doses—green highlights the weekend on the day indicator, while red and blue mark the oil temperature gauge. These touches add functional clarity without compromising the hyper-minimal aesthetic.
- Refined typography: The BB2 introduces updated typography unique to this model, with mostly white and light grey inscriptions that seem to float beneath the oil-filled crystal.
- Cleaner dial layout: Following the BBB's lead, the BB2 omits the 180-second runner counter, further simplifying the dial and creating an even more dematerialised appearance. What remains is pure essential information: hours, minutes, day, date, and oil temperature.
- Updated caseback: The sapphire crystal caseback has been refined with reduced text and the new typeface, maintaining the crown-free operation that defines every Ressence.
The Pebble Experience
The watch arrives in Ressence's distinctive 3D-printed box that opens with a rotation—a tactile preview of the crownless setting mechanism to come. At 44mm in diameter and 15mm in height, the Type 3 BB2 wears like a perfectly smooth, dark pebble shaped by time and water.
The black colour execution makes this version particularly special. With the dark hue and 3.57ml of oil filling the upper chamber, the thin spaces between the orbiting discs become virtually invisible. When the dial moves, magic occurs—the flush rotating titanium discs appear to float and glide as if on a liquid surface. It genuinely tricks people into thinking they're looking at a digital screen, yet everything is fully mechanical.
Technical Mastery
Beneath the mesmerising display lies serious horological engineering. The patented ROCS 3.5 (Ressence Orbital Convex System) module comprises 215 components including the main and sub-discs, all driven by a customised ETA 2824-2 base calibre. Since the oil-filled upper chamber is hermetically sealed from the movement below, Ressence developed an ingenious magnetic transmission using micro-magnets positioned in both chambers to transfer the time information without physical contact.
The oil serves more than aesthetic purposes—it cancels out light refraction, ensuring crystal-clear legibility from any angle and in any light condition. To compensate for temperature-induced expansion and contraction of the oil, Ressence engineered the Bellows System, a self-equilibrating pressure-balance mechanism represented visually by the temperature gauge on the dial. Grade A Super-LumiNova fills all engraved indications for exceptional night visibility.
Recognition
This is undeniably a masterpiece of design, and the industry agrees: the Type 3 BB2 was honoured with the Red Dot 'Best of the Best' distinction in 2024—the highest recognition in product design, often called the Oscars of the design world.
Conclusion
With the Type 3 BB2, Ressence has refined an already extraordinary model into something even more compelling. It offers smartwatch-like aesthetics with an entirely mechanical soul—the ultimate "if you know, you know" timepiece. Not loud, but absolutely stunning. Suitable for any occasion, from the boardroom to a casual weekend, the BB2 demonstrates why Ressence continues to challenge the status quo of mechanical watchmaking.
Unlike the limited BBB, the Type 3 BB2 joins Ressence's permanent collection, though production remains limited by the brand's meticulous assembly requirements.
