Ressence’s latest creation — the limited-edition TYPE 8 Indigo — offers something refreshingly distinct. This new creation, limited to just eight pieces, is Ressence’s homage to the ancient Japanese craft of indigo dyeing, brought to life through an intricate and unconventional use of dyed silk thread on the watch dial.

The TYPE 8 Indigo is the highlight of The Indigo Project, an initiative led by Shellman in Tokyo to mark the renewal and expansion of their retail space in Isetan Shinjuku, now Japan’s largest luxury watch destination. With its expansive dial design, limited to the essentials of hours and minutes, the TYPE 8 serves as a canvas for the mesmerizing hues of natural indigo.

An artistic dial that’s a nod to Japanese tradition

Crafted in collaboration with Swiss artisans, the TYPE 8 Indigo features a dial covered in a single 2.5-meter length of indigo-dyed silk thread. Spiraling inward, the thread forms an organic yet structured pattern reminiscent of tree growth rings, symbolizing the natural flow of time. The indigo pigments reveal a stunning spectrum of shades, from deep electric blues to near-black.

The brand can attest that creating this masterpiece was no small feat. The titanium dial had to be meticulously carved to accommodate the 0.2mm thickness of the silk thread, leaving a razor-thin 0.25mm gap between the dial and the sapphire crystal. Due to technical constraints, two grey pockets were incorporated into the design, finished in neutral grey PVD to enhance the vibrancy of the indigo hues. Each TYPE 8 Indigo dial demands two days of meticulous work from a skilled craftswoman at a Geneva-based atelier. The silk thread is bonded to the titanium surface using specialized adhesives that preserve the thread’s vibrant color and texture, ensuring the dial retains its luminous character.

The project stems from Ressence’s partnership with Buaisou, a company based in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan’s indigo-dyeing heartland. Buaisou grows its own indigo plants and manages the dyeing process in-house. Indigo dyeing, a craft dating back to Japan’s 6th century, involves fermenting indigo plant leaves to produce sukumo, the natural pigment celebrated for its rich, warm tones — often referred to as “Japan Blue.”

“Applying thread to a dial is an uncommon practice in watchmaking,” says Benoît Mintiens, founder of Ressence. “It’s a reflection of our commitment to storytelling through design.”

Limited to just eight pieces, the TYPE 8 Indigo will be exclusively available at Shellman at Isetan Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Tech Specs: Ressence TYPE 8 Indigo

Movement: Automatic-winding patented ROCS 8 – Ressence Orbital Convex System; 36-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours and minutes
Case: 42.9mm × 11mm; grade 5 titanium; water-resistant to 10m
Dial: Grade 5 titanium dial with silk thread application
Strap: Warm gray Saffiano calf leather
Availability: Limited to 8 pieces
Price: CHF 25,000