ressence type 1 REV grail watch draws inspiration from philippe de champaigne’s 1646 ‘vanitas’ painting

Magic happens

 

When two designers with a passion for exquisite watches join together, magic happens. Benoît Mintiens and Alain Silberstein have been friends since Ressence’s inception. Above all, this collaboration grounds the friendship between the two who share a passion for watchmaking design and creativity. The union of their craftsmanship has resulted in a distinctive timepiece, Ressence Type 1 REV Grail Watch.

 

Benoît Mintiens, the designer and founder of Ressence, represents one-half of this duo. This brand places function and the user at the core of its sleek and simple products, with a solid focus on the future of fine watchmaking. Behind the apparent simplicity, there are a plethora of innovative solutions that are intrinsic to the Ressence brand, allowing time to be expressed in such a unique and stunning way.

images by Revolution

 

 

The essence of watchmaking

 

Benoît Mintiens, captivated by Alain Silberstein’s creative ambition, proposes the 41.5 mm Ressence Type 1 Slim watch as the design’s foundation. It has a 36-hour power reserve and is powered by an automated movement.

 

With a miniature withering flower denoting the hours and a small skull punctuating the seconds, the rotation of this watch’s minute dial perfectly symbolizes the passage of time. The hourglass and the passage of time are referenced by the moving dial.

 

Alain Silberstein, a watchmaking architect who has been developing a unique style in the watchmaking world since 1987, joins Benoît in this collaborative enterprise. His touch lies upon the structures of geometric shapes that joyously communicate through a rainbow of eye-catching colors and cutting-edge materials. His approach to great watchmaking is artistic yet whimsical, sometimes startling but more frequently captivating.

new ressence type 1 REV grail watch draws inspiration from philippe de champaigne’s 1646 ‘vanitas’ painting

 

 

de Champaigne’s 1646 ‘Vanitas’

 

Alain Silberstein was inspired by Philippe de Champaigne’s 1646 ‘Vanitas’ to develop a watch that emphasizes the transitory quality of life and the fragility of worldly belongings. This watch urges its audience to enjoy the present moment with their loved ones.

 

Alain Silberstein was quick to respond when asked about the brand he envisioned for this collaboration. He replied with ‘Ressence and Benoît Mintiens.’ Only a Ressence watch, with its one-of-a-kind discs and planetary movements, could capture this one-of-a-kind interpretation of time.

ressence type 1 REV grail watch

the design draws inspiration from philippe de champaigne’s 1646 ‘vanitas’ painting

flower symbol

the passing of time

the skull symbol

 

 

project info:

 

name: Ressence Type 1 REV Grail Watch.

brand: Ressence

designers: Benoît Mintiens and Alain Silberstein

availability: Limited production of 36 units, only available here

matthew burgos | designboom

apr 29, 2022