One of the great things about the SIHH is that we get to see plenty of novelties on display. More often than not, that means a new movement or a new addition to a watch line.

There are also the few occasions when something is presented that challenges our understanding of watchmaking. Ressence has done that this year, with its new e-Crown concept.

In many ways we’ve come to expect such innovation from Ressence. After all, this is the brand that developed a new way to display the time thanks to its unique Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS).

And after only 176 years since the invention of the winding crown – which replaced the previous key winding systems – we now have a new technology.

The e-Crown, which stands for “electronic crown” replaces the crown’s function by an automated setup system.

The technology is not only self-learning, by registering the time set manually, but it is also autonomous and powered by wrist movements. The closest analogue for the new electro-mechanical system is the automated gearbox of a car.

First, e-Crown registers the time that is set manually via the case back lever. After that, it becomes the reference time for future monitoring, automatic setting and adjusting. Once a day, the e-Crown monitors the time indicated by the graphical hands on the dial, and the disc’s positions are then adjusted automatically.

Ressence has also developed an app to enhance the user experience. Connected via Bluetooth, the app allows users to choose from a list of cities and enables multiple time zone settings remotely.

The new technology will be on full display with the new Ressence Type 2 e-Crown Concept watch, which is currently in production and should be available by June 2018.

As with other offerings from the innovative Belgian brand, the new watch sports the patented ROCS dial system, lightweight titanium construction, and sleek design. An excellent example of modern mechanical watchmaking, the Type 2 e-Crown Concept has no less than 500 components.

Each of the time indications of the Type 2 e-Crown Concept is generated by the ROCS, with the information provided by the automatic base movement. All discs are mounted on jewel micro-ball bearings for a slimmer look and a seamless design.

Over the few short years that Ressence has been in operation, we’ve come to expect a lot from the watchmaker. This year at SIHH, they have met those expectations with the new e-Crown system.