The Independent Watchmaker and Sotheby’s Auction House launches a competition to design a Ressence watch. The Winning Drawing will be turned into a Watch to be offered for sale at Sotheby’s this Summer. Proceeds will Benefit KU Leuven University’s Covid-19 Research Programme.
Press Release with commentary
Ready, Steady, Draw! Independent watchmaker Ressence and Sotheby’s Watch Division are joining forces against coronavirus this season and launching a competition to design a unique watch. For the first time ever, watch-lovers will have the chance to create their own interpretation of one of Ressence’s latest models, the Type 1 Slim. Their creativity will support medical research.
The competition will be open from 28 April (2pm GMT) until 12 May (2pm GMT). The winning design will be selected by Belgian designer and Ressence founder Benoît Mintiens, in consultation with the brand’s Swiss manufacturers, who will then bring the winning design to life as a watch. The successful designer will have their name engraved on the case of the piece. The unique piece will be offered in Sotheby’s Hong Kong “Important Watches” auction on 11 July. Proceeds from the sale will support the Covid 19 Research Programme at KU Leuven University in Belgium.
Editorial Commentary: In the light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, this is an interesting support action by an independent watchmaking company. While the rest of the watchmaking world is content with making hand sanitizers (bravo LVMH and Bvlgari), most of the industry seems to be doing nothing. And yet, this tiny, innovative company in Belgium is taking this step to run the competition, build the watch and donate it for auction to the cause of research. As we understand the full proceeds of the sale will go to the charity, less Sotheby’s premium (commission).
How to take part in the competition?
Contestants can download the outline drawings (dial and back) of the Type
1 Slim on Ressence Competition website.
- There are no restrictions on the tools participants can use: from colouring pencils and felt pens to Photoshop, nothing is off-limits.
- The following specifications should be submitted along with the drawing:
- Colour for each component (only one colour per component)
- Colour of the graphics (numbers and lines)
- Colour of the graphics glow (Superluminova)
- The design (graphical format) should be submitted by email to [email protected] before 12 May (2pm GMT), together with the name or inscription for the engraving and the participant’s contact details.
- Drawings can also be shared on Instagram with the hashtag WatchesAgainstCovid19 and the tags @ressence_watches and @SothebysWatches
Ressence Type 1 slim
Ressence has built its international reputation by revolutionising the way time is displayed on a watch.
On a Ressence watch, time is broken down into individual sub-dials displaying hours, minutes, seconds and days. These sub-dials or discs orbit around one another. This patented three dimensional complication is called ROCS, or the Ressence Orbital Convex System, and is masterfully illustrated in the Type 1 Slim. The purpose is a more efficient way of telling time. Information is displayed on a single surface, much like words on a piece of paper, making for improved readability. The Type 1 Slim is also testament to the watchmaker’s constant reassessment of the interaction between a watch and its owner. Thanks to its concave case shape, the Type 1 Slim perfectly sits on the wrist.
KU Leuven
Proceeds of the sale will go to the Covid-19 Research Programme of the KU Leuven and UZ Leuven universities. The aim of the programme is to research a vaccine, advanced detection and new molecular treatments against the virus. For more information on donations, please click here.
