Ressence x Ahmed Seddiqi

In a poetic tribute to legacy and landscape, Belgian watchmaker Ressence and the UAE’s most iconic luxury retailer, Ahmed Seddiqi, have unveiled the TYPE 9 S75, a limited-edition timepiece that fuses tradition, craftsmanship, and the elemental beauty of the desert.

To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Ahmed Seddiqi turned to Ressence, known for its boundary-pushing designs and minimalist philosophy, to create a watch as meaningful as it is refined. The result? A dial shaped by the UAE itself, infused with sand collected from all seven Emirates, an unprecedented feat in modern horology.

Only 20 pieces of the TYPE 9 S75 will be made, and each one is a tactile tribute to both time and place. “This watch beautifully captures the spirit of the U.A.E.,” says Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, CEO of Ahmed Seddiqi. “It reflects our cultural roots while celebrating the innovation that defines our partnership with Ressence.”

The design is thoughtful to the last detail: from the 40g titanium case to the camel leather strap, sourced directly by Ahmed Seddiqi. Even the act of collecting the sand was personal: Seddiqi and Benoît Mintiens, Ressence’s Antwerp-based founder, ventured into the desert together to gather it by hand.

Mintiens describes the piece as a modern hourglass: “For centuries, sand flowed through hourglasses to mark time. With the TYPE 9 S75, the sand still moves, but now it tells a story.”

Technically, the watch embodies Ressence’s minimalist philosophy. It features only hours and minutes, displayed via the brand’s patented ROCS 9 system, a rotating satellite module powered by a self-winding movement. Super-LumiNova® indicators, domed sapphire crystal, and seamless lugs give it elegance and readability.

Lightweight, visually pure, and conceptually rich, the TYPE 9 S75 is a celebration of 75 years of horological excellence, and a bridge between two cultures united by craftsmanship and vision.