It’s not often that contemporary horology and bespoke tailoring share a stage, but Ressence and The Armoury have made it happen. The Belgian watch brand, famed for its radical crownless cases and patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS), has teamed up with the cult menswear retailer to craft a fresh take on the dress watch, introducing the TYPE 9 ARM.

Besides being the smallest and most classically proportioned watch Ressence has produced to date — measuring 39mm in diameter and weighing just 39 grams — Ressence has embraced details typically outside its wheelhouse: a polished Grade 5 titanium case with a fluted bezel, a salmon-colored dial, and a chocolate suede strap.

Ressence TYPE 9 ARM

Salmon dials have long carried a quiet prestige in horology, often reserved for special editions or bespoke commissions. Their warm, refined hue sits somewhere between playful and serious, making them versatile for collectors who value both individuality and elegance. In the TYPE 9 ARM, the salmon dial is elevated further by its sandblasted finish, offering tactile depth and a softness of tone that resonates with The Armoury’s tailoring ethos.

Mark Cho, co-founder of The Armoury, saw the collaboration as a way to fuse horology with the language of fine clothing. “Coming from tailoring, I wanted a watch that could live with a suit,” Cho explains. For him, that meant subtle scale, warmth in colour, and textures that felt closer to fabric than to machinery. 

Mark Cho, Co-Founder, The Armoury, wearing the Ressence TYPE 9 ARM

The polished titanium fluted bezel doubles as the functional minute track

For Benoît Mintiens, founder of Ressence, the collaboration was about testing new creative boundaries. “The Armoury pushed us to consider proportions and details we would never have explored alone,” he says. Yet despite its classical cues, the watch remains unmistakably Ressence. The organic case, the clarity of the ROCS system, and the crownless philosophy are still intact.

Only 20 pieces of the TYPE 9 ARM will be produced, with each priced at USD 19,000 (HKD 148,200, VAT excluded). Since its launch, the watch is available exclusively through The Armoury’s boutiques in Hong Kong and New York, as well as online at thearmoury.com.

For the last bits of sartorial notes, Cho says, “The best watches are the ones you’re wearing the most. If a watch is uncomfortable or obtrusive, it will never become your favorite. An understated, smaller size is key — this is a conversation piece, but one that doesn’t shout.” 

Tech Specs: Ressence TYPE 9 ARM

Movement: Patented ROCS 9 (Ressence Orbital Convex System) module driven by the minute axle of a customised automatic base caliber; 36-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes
Case: 39mm × 11mm; grade 5 titanium; water-resistant to 10m
Dial: Sandblasted Grade 5 titanium dial with salmon colour PVD coating
Strap: Suede chocolate strap with titanium ardillon buckle
Price: USD 19,000
Availability: Limited to 20 pieces; The Armoury exclusive