This Titanium Watch Reimagines the Iconic Hourglass in the Coolest Way Possible

Ressence celebrates 75 years of UAE-based watch retailer Ahmed Seddiqi with a unique Type 9 inspired by the sands of time.

Ressence Type 9 S75 Watch buried in sand

By Sean Tirman

Published 6 hours ago

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Across six years and now three high-end watches, Ressence and Ahmed Saddiqi (the UAE’s leading watch dealer) have collaborated. But the latest (their third) is easily the most magnificent, unique and fascinating — and that’s saying a lot.

Inspired by ancient hourglasses, the Ressence Type 9 S75 was made to celebrate Ahmed Saddiqi’s 75th anniversary. And like the watch dealer, this stunning timepiece is inexorably tied to and influenced by the United Arab Emirates in several surprising, novel ways.

Ressence Type 9 S75 Watch in sand, lifestyle — This take on the Ressence Type 9 has Middle Eastern influence literally built into it.

U.A.E. DNA

It’s pretty obvious that this take on the Ressence Type 9, the brand’s most minimalist dress watch, is meant to harken to the sands of the U.A.E. After all, virtually all of the press photos show it in the desert or alongside desert-inspired colors and backgrounds.

But that connection is a lot deeper than you might first realize. See, the sandy dial isn’t just a clever design; it’s actual sand sourced from the real dunes of all seven of the United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

The sandy dial isn’t just a clever design; it’s actual sand sourced from the real dunes of all seven of the United Arab Emirates

The sand is bonded to the titanium discs that make up the hour and minute dials, so it won’t shift around on the dial under the domed sapphire crystals as the wearer goes about their business. But that’s not the only part of the watch with a U.A.E. connection.

The leather strap is also deeply connected to the Middle Eastern landscape: it’s genuine camel leather. Together with the watch’s titanium dial, these elements make for a stunning, minimalist timepiece befitting its inspiration.

Ressence Type 9 S75 Watch dial closeup — Yes, that’s real sand built into the dial, sourced from the dunes of the U.A.E.

Like sands in the hourglass

While the Ressence Type 9 S75 is highly minimal, it’s still a watch — one made by a fan-favorite indie watchmaker, no less. Mate that to its Ahmed Saddiqi connection, and it’s incredibly important that it is also a reliable, precise timepiece.

But there’s no need for worry. Inside its titanium case, the watch has the brand’s patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS 9), which is built upon and driven by a customized and reinforced caliber 2892/2 automatic movement.

For reference, it has 31 jewels, 20 gears and four ball bearings (since the two dials rotate independently of one another). It also boasts a 36-hour power reserve and 28,800 vibrations per hour. And it gets green grade A Super-LumiNova on the engraved dial markings.

So what’s the catch? There are two. First, only 20 examples have been made. Second, they run nearly $20k a pop. But that’s what you pay for this level of creativity, craftsmanship and horology.

Ressence Type 9 S75 Watch caseback — The strap is made from genuine camel leather, furthering the watch’s connection to its U.A.E. influence.

Pricing and availability

As mentioned, only 20 examples of the Ressence Type 9 S75 watch were made, priced at an eye-watering $19,500 apiece.

Even if you could afford this magnificent Middle Eastern watch, it looks like they may already be sold out. That said, you can try and find one at a dealer through the Ressence site.