Monocle on Design Rethinking timekeeping for the 21st century with luxury watchmakers Ressence
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Nov 4, 2025 Benoît Mintiens, founder of Ressence, leads a revolution in timekeeping with ergonomic designs that prioritize user experience over tradition. He discusses the innovative use of coplanar rotating discs, enhancing legibility by inverting the watch face. Lisa Lazaro-Bergland, co-founder of Nordic Knots, shares her mission to disrupt the rug market through visual storytelling and contemporary designs. Together, they explore how rethinking everyday objects can add meaningful value to our lives, blending functionality with aesthetics.
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Rug Brand Born From Frustration
- Nordic Knots founders launched their rug brand because buying rugs was slow, costly, or low quality.
- They focused on curated collections and evocative settings to make carpets desirable again.
Use Setting To Sell Products
- Seduce customers with storytelling and settings rather than only the product details.
- Build trust by delivering high quality, fast service, and consistent presentation.
Designer Turned Watchmaker
- Benoît Mintiens recounts training as an industrial designer, not a watchmaker, which shaped Ressence's approach.
- That background led to inventing coplanar rotating discs instead of traditional hands.