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RESERVOIR WATCHES – Models with Technical Specifications, Price, Brand Details, History, News and Archives

NOVELTIES 2023

RESERVOIR x LABELNOIR x POPEYE

Franco-Swiss watchmaker Reservoir presents the new Popeye limited edition timepiece created in collaboration with Geneva based bespoke watch specialist LabelNoir.

This new creation embodies the daring attitude of Popeye with the bold spirit of Reservoir and astonishing creativeness of LabelNoir.

POPEYE

Introduced to the world on January 17, 1929, by E.C. Segar in the “Thimble Theatre” comic series, Popeye from his debut has always been a rough-and-tumble, spinach-loving underdog.

True to himself as a mean-muggin’ man with a heart of gold, the sailor became one of the most popular characters of 20th century through comic strips, radio shows, television programs, and eventually both animated and live-action films. In this latest collaborative timepiece, the sailor’s salty spirit finds its latest canvas.

RESERVOIR x LABELNOIR POPEYE Watch

The 41.5mm diameter titanium watch recalls classic Reservoir styles, with slightly curved lugs and a signature knurling on its unique crown placing the model in the fantastic canon of the brand. The case is clad in the grey DLC— the color scheme courtesy of LabelNoir— with a satin finish used throughout that adds to the model’s bold style.

Endowed with a water resistance of 5 ATM (50m), the watch comes with a grey nubuck leather strap with red & grey stitching and a matching grey DLC pin buckle.

Beneath the anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the highlight of the Reservoir model is on display. Making smart use of a grey dial, a picture of Popeye in full charge is hand painted upon it. Faithful touches of color in the image help make it quickly striking against its dark background, with bright white accenting in the comic-style indices assisting in the high legibility for the novelty.

The dial features the emblematic 240° retrograde configuration, with the minutes displayed upon three- fourths of the surface and the running hours indicated in a prominent view via a bordered digital display at the comic icon’s feet. Popeye’s massive arm indicates the running minutes, sweeping from “00” to “60” and then snapping back again at the top of each hour.

Reservoir Calibre RSV-240

Driving the Reservoir x LabelNoir x Popeye watch is the Reservoir Calibre RSV-240, a next-generation automatic movement introduced by the watchmaker in the spring of 2022. Produced in association with the Swiss engine manufacture TELOS, the self-winding mechanism makes use of a LJP-G100 base with a patented, proprietary 113-pieces module, with it optimized for Reservoir watches and the maker’s unique style of timekeeping.

The Cal. RSV-240 powers retrograde minute and jumping hour on display via the dial, with a 56-hour power reserve. The movement and its Reservoir-signed rotor are elegantly finished with Geneva stripes and radial style brushing, all visible via an exhibition sapphire case back itself adorned with a winking Popeye painted at its center.

The new Reservoir x LabelNoir x Popeye watch is a limited series of 200 pieces. Available now from Reservoir-watch.com, its suggested retail price is 4,700€/ 4,350 £ including taxes.

Each numbered model is presented in a white wooden box adorned with an image of “The Popeye Family”, an additional Chrome Painted Figurine “Popeye eating spinach” and a special embroidery in honor of Popeye. A certificate of authenticity accompanies the box.

Technical details

Model: Reservoir x LabelNoir x Popeye watch
Ref: RSV04.PO/433

Case
41.5mm, Grey DLC Titanium Case with Satin Finish
Screw-down Crown
Open case-back, with exclusive “Popeye” character glass paint application
Anti-reflective Sapphire Crystal
Water-resistance: 5ATM

Dial
Grey dial with hand painted “Popeye” pattern
White Index

Movement
Retrograde Minute, Jumping Hour
Calibre RSV-240: Manufacture Self-winding Mechanical Movement, Patented proprietary 113-pieces module (LJP G100 base)
56-Hour Power Reserve
28,800 alt./h
Swiss Made

Strap
Taupe Grey Nubuck Leather Strap with Red Stitching, 22 mm Width
Grey DLC Pin Buckle

Box
White Wooden Box with an image of “The Popeye Family” (© 2022 King Features Syndicate ™ Hearst Holdings, Inc.)
Additional Chrome Painted Figurine “Popeye eating spinach”
Additional Special Embroidery with “Popeye”
Certificate of Authenticity

Edition
Limited edition of 200 pieces

Price
4’700 €TTC, 4’350 £ incl taxes, 4’450 $ w/o taxes MSRP, 4’700 CHF incl taxes

Delivery
From January 2023

NOVELTIES 2022

RESERVOIR Hydrosphere Cenote

The RESERVOIR Hydrosphere Cenote diving watch is a tribute to the hidden treasures harbored by nature and the marine universe.

This new RESERVOIR wristwatch takes us to the natural tunnels and wells of water and light commonly known as “cenote”, whose origins date back thousands of years to the Mayan civilizations.

Cenotes are formed by the collapse of calcareous rocks and earthen soils. They conceal extraordinary pools of crystal clear water revealing a lush and preserved flora. The light entering these caves reveals a multitude of bright color variations ranging from turquoise to azure blue, green and yellow. It is while diving that you can discover these incredible color palettes, in particular these dominant greens caused by the reverberation of the jungle in the water.

The Hydrosphere Cenote watch features a green dial with sundial finishes, the color shades of which recall the contrasting waters of the cenote. The 45mm-diameter bronze case is fitted with a unidirectional ceramic rotating bezel with double graduation for reading dive-stop times.

The watch houses the new RESERVOIR RSV-240 watchmaking caliber. It displays the jumping hour, the retrograde minute and the power reserve.

Rated for a 56-hour power reserve, this self-winding calibre combines a patented proprietary module of three complications associated with an optimized manufacture movement (LJP-G100 base).

Fitted with anti-reflective sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, Helium valve and stainless steel screwed back, the Hydrosphere Cenote watch is water-resistant to 250 meters.

Technical details

Model: RESERVOIR Hydrosphere Cenote
Ref. RSV03.HY/334.GR

Case
45mm, bronze case with satin finish
Unidirectional, ceramic rotating bezel with double scale for reading the time at different diving depths before and after the retrograde minute hand’s return
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Screw-down crown
Helium valve
Stainless steel screwed back
Water-resistant to 250m

Dial
Green dial with sundial finish, white indexes, magnifier on the jumping-hour window

Movement
Self-winding mechanical movement
Caliber RSV-240 mechanical with automatic winding composed of a proprietary patented module of 113 parts on a Manufacture movement (LJP-G100 base)
28,800 alt./h
Swiss Made
56h power reserve

Complications
Retrograde minutes, jumping hour and power reserve indicator

Strap
Green NATO strap, mounted on bronze stirrups
Additional black rubber strap

Availability
Available to order online from December 2022 and through a prestigious network of 70+ high-end stores and specialist retailers in 20+ countries

Price
4’850 € TTC, 4’400 £ including taxes, 4’600 $ w/o taxes MSRP

NOVELTIES 2022

RESERVOIR Sonomaster Chronograph

The new Reservoir Sonomaster Chronograph takes its inspiration from measuring instruments widely used in the world of sound or Hi-Fi.

Its two retrograde hands faithfully reproduce the hands of VU meters usually employed in high-end analog stereo amplifiers. In addition to two bi-retrograde hands (date and seconds at 120°), Sonomaster features central seconds, 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock.

VU (Volume Unit) meter was developed in the 1940s to measure all manner of electronic signals, including the sounds going into a mixing desk or tape deck in a recording studio, the strength of a radio broadcast signal, the power output of an amplifier or the sound pressure levels in the listening space (also referred to as “volume” or “loudness”).

The action of a VU meter’s needle is the same as a retrograde hand in a watch: the needles do not ascribe a 360 circle, as do conventional watch hands, but swing back-and-forth.

Various hi-fi manufacturers have personalised their VU meters to render their equipment instantly recognisable, with veteran brand Luxman opting for a golden glow, EAR Yoshino using kidney-shaped apertures over their meters, D’Agostino’s massive round meter features a Breguet-style hand, while McIntosh is world-famous for its blue-lit VU meters.

In addition to real-time hours, minutes and seconds, the Sonomaster Chronograph features a central sweep seconds hand for the stopwatch function, a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock, and the date. A window for the latter would add clutter, while the desire for symmetry, which is missing in chronographs with sub-dials at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock and a date window at 3 o’clock, remained paramount.

The 43mm diameter 316L stainless steel case comes with brushed finish. The crown is inspired by amplifier control button, and push buttons take inspiration from bass and treble buttons. The hands are treated with Superluminova.

RESERVOIR has carefully cultivated a unique, family look for its retrograde models. All employ retrograde minute hands completing an arc from what would be, on a convention al dial, 8 o’clock to 4 o’clock.

The visual balance is assured by the hour appearing in a window above the 6 o’clock position, while below it is a retrograde power reserve. Despite the need to deal with more functions, the Sonomaster Chronograph could not depart from the established RESERVOIR design language.

With the hours and minutes of the Sonomaster Chronograph addressed by conventional hands, and with the 30-minute and 12-hour counters using traditional sub-dials, it was noted that there was ample “real estate” on either side of the divide. Two half-moon-shaped areas were free to accept the date and real-time seconds, creating what RESERVOIR has called a “Bi-Retrograde” display.

For maximum readability and to create a fresh aesthetic in a horological context, RESERVOIR looked beyond the confines of the watch and automotive industries, the latter a much-favoured source of inspiration in horological circles.

Instead, they found the solution on the front panel of the iconic vintage hi-fi amplifier, such as the legendary Luxman M10 Mk II power amplifier. This high-end audio equipment features two massive VU meters, with black needles against cream dials, accented with red segments to indicate the “danger zones”. Thinking laterally, RESERVOIR turned the dials on their sides, to be read vertically.

The dial on the left provided retrograde seconds, its scale marked 0-30, with the needle – or hand in this case – flying back every half-minute. The dial on the right was chosen for the date display, its indications marked 0-31, with a retrograde fly-back return at the end of the month. Both counters feature red segments to respect their muse, though there is no danger present.

The same background colour scheme employed by Luxman was retained as well for the Sonomaster Chronograph, the cream providing vivid contrast against the fine black scale. Both retrograde counters are sunken into the main dial, the added depth this creates further recalling the physical presence of VU meters set within an amplifier’s front panel.

The new RESERVOIR Sonomaster chronograph is sportier than the range’s precursor model, with a case and a bracelet made entirely of brushed 316L steel.

This 43mm stainless steel watch is powered by the new RSV-Bi120 watchmaking caliber: a bi-retrograde manufacture chronograph movement with automatic mechanical winding, and column wheel (base LJP-L1C0).

The open case-back reveals the automatic column wheel chronograph movement with a generous 60-hour power reserve.

The Reservoir Sonomaster Chronograph is available with two dial styles: Silver with Black and Black with Beige.

Technical details

Model: Reservoir Sonomaster Chronograph

Versions
Ref. RSV04.SN/136.SI.BA (Silver & Black)
Ref. RSV04.SN/136.BL.BA (Black & Beige)

Case
316L stainless steel case with brushed finish
Diameter: 43mm
Crown inspired by amplifier control button
Push buttons inspired by bass and treble buttons
Domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass
Tachymeter bezel
360° Opened case-back
Water-resistance: 50m / 5ATM

Dial
Color: Black & beige/ silver & black
Hands with Superluminova

Movement
Caliber RSV-Bi120: manufacture bi-retrograde chronograph movement, automatic mechanical winding and column wheel (base LJP-8310)
60 hours power reserve
Frequency: 28,800 alt./h
Swiss Made

Functions
Chronograph (central second, 30-minute counter at 12, hour counter at 6)
Bi-Retrograde date and seconds at 120°
Hour and Minute

Strap
316L stainless steel bracelet with butterfly folding clasp

Availability
Available to order online and through a prestigious network of 70+ high-end stores and specialist retailers in 20+ countries

Price
6,150 €TTC
5,600 £ including taxes
6’750 $ w/o taxes

 

NOVELTIES 2022

RESERVOIR Kanister Silver

Franco-Swiss watchmaker RESERVOIR has announced the launch of a silver dial version of the Kanister watch.

The Kanister collection is inspired by the R.P.M. counter of the legendary 356 Speedster car. The new RESERVOIR Kanister Silver enriches the collection with a silver-finish dial, on which shine indexes and a minute hand with polished reflections.

@Lauraevratphotography

The Kanister Silver watch introduces the new watchmaking caliber RESERVOIR RSV-240. This self-winding mechanical caliber has a 56-hour power reserve and is made up of a proprietary patented three-complication module coupled to a manufacture movement (LJP-G100 base).

The RSV240 movement was crafted by TELOS, the Swiss manufacturer of complicated horological mechanisms. It displays retrograde minute, jumping hour and power reserve display functions.

@Lauraevratphotography

Made of grade 5 titanium, the 41.5mm diameter case is equipped with screw-down crown and sapphire crystal glasses on both sides (front and case-back). It has a water resistance of 50 meters.

@Lauraevratphotography

The Kanister collection pays tribute to the spirit of freedom and speed that blew during the decade of the 1950s. It comes fitted on an elegant black or taupe leather strap.

Technical details

Model: RESERVOIR Kanister Silver
Ref. RSV01.KN/433.SI

Case
41.5 mm, grade 5 titanium case, polished finishes
Silver colored dial
Screw-down crown
Water-resistant to 50m
360 degree open bottom
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal

Movement
Caliber RSV240 mechanical with automatic winding composed of a proprietary patented module of 124 parts on a Manufacture movement (LJP-G100 base)
Power Reserve: 56h
Frequency: 28,800 beats/ hour
Origin: Swiss Made

Functions
Retrograde minute, jumping hour, power reserve

Bracelet
Black leather strap, black stitching, width 20 mm
Additional taupe leather strap supplied with Flash pumps for quick strap change

Availability
Available to order from April 2022, online store and prestigious network of more than 70+ high-end stores and specialist retailers in 20+ countries

Price
4’200€ TTC/ CHF 4’200 incl. Taxes | $ 4’400 excl Taxes

NOVELTIES 2021

RESERVOIR Hydrosphere “The Greg Lecoeur Edition”

This special edition timepiece was created in collaboration with the famous marine photographer Greg Lecoeur.

This massive 45mm diameter watch in bronze houses a customized self-winding movement that drives retrograde minutes, jumping hour and power reserve indications. Greg Lecoeur has selected the Hydrosphere Bronze diving watch model, and chosen a blue sunray dial to best reflect the seabed.

Water resistant to 250 meters, this diving watch features unidirectional rotating bezel in ceramic, helium valve, sapphire crystal glass, screw-down crown and stainless steel case back.

The Greg Lecoeur Edition also won the best diving watch award, awarded by the Middle East Watch & Jewellery Show, Edition 2021.

Technical details

45mm, bronze case with satin finish
Bronze dial with sundial finish, white index, magnifier on the jumping hour window
Self-winding mechanical movement, 37 hours power reserve
Complications: retrograde minutes, jumping hour, power reserve
Patented proprietary 124-pieces module on ETA 2824-2 caliber
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Unidirectional, ceramic rotating bezel with double scale for reading the time at different diving depths before and after the retrograde minute hand’s return
Helium valve
Stainless steel screwed back
Screw-down crown
Water resistance: 250 meters
Black rubber strap screwed onto the body
Additional blue NATO strap provided, mounted on bronze stirrups
Price: 4,850 Euros TTC

NOVELTIES 2021

RESERVOIR X Blake and Mortimer “By Jove!!!”

RESERVOIR has launched a new limited edition timepiece in collaboration with DARGAUD, publisher of the Blake and Mortimer series.

The RESERVOIR Blake and Mortimer “By Jove!!!” watch takes inspiration from the graphic universe of Edgar P. Jacobs. It is Francis Blake who indicates the minutes with his arm, the hour and minute digits using the lettering of the comic strip.

On September 26, 2021, DARGAUD celebrated the 75th anniversary of the appearance of the characters Blake and Mortimer. To mark this milestone, RESERVOIR has created an exceptional limited series of 75 pieces featuring a drawing of the mysterious flying machine…

On the first RESERVOIR watch, the dial of which it shares with Mortimer, it is with a very distinguished movement of the arm that it indicates the minutes. Blake’s arm indicates the passing of time, while at his feet, in a window, the hours pass.

Equipped with the same mechanical caliber as the other RESERVOIR collections, the watch is distinguished by the absence of an indication of the power reserve at the bottom of the dial to leave more room for the design.

Two characters in action in a composition as emblematic as it is dynamic, completed by a bubble using Mortimer’s favorite expression: “By Jove!!! The digits for the minutes and hours also reflect the handwriting of the albums. It is produced in high quality serigraphy; the characters stand out as if in relief on the dial.

The 316 L steel case with brushed finishes has a diameter of 41.5 mm. It offers total comfort when worn, reinforces the vintage look of the piece, mounted on a black leather strap fitted with a folding clasp.

The case back is engraved with a design of the swordfish and the words “So British since 1946”. The box is borrowed from the Longbridge, RESERVOIR’s most vintage collection.

Technical details

Model: RESERVOIR Blake & Mortimer “By Jove!!!” – Anniversary watch commemorating the 75th anniversary of the inaugural adventure of “Blake and Mortimer”, the first graphic novel designed and scripted by Edgar P. Jacobs: “The secret of the swordfish”.
Reference: RSV04.BM/133

Case
Diameter: 41.5mm
316L stainless steel case with brushed finish
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Engraved case-back
Screw-down crown
Water-resistance: 5ATM

Dial
Black dial with “Black & Mortimer” pattern

Movement
Self-winding mechanical movement, 37 hours power reserve
Complications: Retrograde minute, jumping Hour
Patented proprietary: 124 pieces module on ETA 2824-2 caliber

Strap
Black calf leather strap with stainless steel butterfly folding clasp
Quick release spring bars for easy changing of strap

Price
2’990 Euros TTC | $ 2’990MSRP excl. Taxes | £ 2’800 VAT incl.

Availability
Available to order from September 26, 2021
Delivery in December 2021

NOVELTIES 2021

RESERVOIR KANISTER Palladium, Unique Piece for Only Watch 2021

For its first participation at the Only Watch charity auction, France based brand RESERVOIR has created a unique Swiss made timepiece: the Kanister Palladium.

The unique RESERVOIR Kanister Palladium watch takes its inspiration from the speedometer of the iconic 356-Speedster, combining a breath-taking design to the spirit of freedom which embedded the 1950s decade.

Combining the design from this newest Kanister collection and the famous Palladium case of the RESERVOIR Longbridge collection, this unique watch is the symbol of determination in offering fresh view on high-end watchmaking, using the brand’s patented proprietary module of complications: jumping hour, retrograde minute and power reserve.

This unique piece has been personalized with ONLYWATCH 2021 color codes which were painted manually on the dial and developed within a set of 3 leather straps inspired by car seats from this era.

The watch has then been assembled and checked by qualified and renowned watchmakers Telos in La-Chaux-de-Fonds.

Technical details

Model: RESERVOIR KANISTER Palladium, Unique Piece for Only Watch 2021
Reference: RSV01.KN/733

Case
Pd950 Solid Palladium Case with polished finish
Diameter: 41.5mm
Thickness: 12.1mm
Domed & anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Opened case-back
Screw-down crown
Water-resistant 5ATM

Dial
Black dial

Movement
Self-winding mechanical movement
37 hours power reserve
3 Complications: Retrograde minutes, jumping Hour, Power Reserve
Patented proprietary 124-pieces module on the RSV-240 calibre

Bracelet
Black leather strap with black stitching with pin buckle, including quick release spring bars for easy changing of strap
3 additional leather strap with black stitching with pin buckle

Estimate
20’000 CHF – 30’000 CHF

NOVELTIES 2021

RESERVOIR GT TOUR 371 SE

French watch brand RESERVOIR presents the GT Tour 371SE, a new Swiss made timepiece created as a tribute to the golden age of motor racing and featured in the hit, Netflix adventure film, Finding Ohana, directed by Jude Weng and released earlier this year.

Jude Weng, prolific director of beloved TV comedies (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “The Good Place,” and “Fresh Off the Boat,”) making her splashy feature debut with her first film. “Finding ‘Ohana.”

Called Finding ‘Ohana, the film released on the streaming service Netflix on January 29, 2021, tells the story of two siblings who connect with their culture on an unexpected adventure to Hawaii. The movie reached the top spot in Netflix’s top ten the weekend in debuted.

Written by Christina Strain and directed by Jude Weng (Young Sheldon and The Good Place), Finding Ohana stars Kea Peahu, Alex Aiono, Lindsay Watson (The Wind & the Reckoning), Owen Vaccaro (Daddy’s Home), Kelly Hu (The Scorpion King), Ke Huy Quan (Second Time Around), Kyndra Sanchez (Marry Me) and more.

Alex Aiono who plays the character (Ioane), wears a Reservoir GT TOUR 371 SE.

The GT Tour watch adopts the codes of the ‘Classic’ car race. The matte black dial and the orange minute hand are inspired by the contrast of these two colours on a racing car meter, allowing maximum legibility. RESERVOIR takes its inspiration from the universes that have marked the history of mankind from the 19th Century to the present time.

Technical details

Model: RESERVOIR GT TOUR 371SE
Ref: RSV11.GT/130-12

Case
43mm diameter
Black PVD 316L Stainless Steel Case with satin and polished finish
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Opened case-back at 240-degree, screw-down crown
Water-resistant 5ATM

Dial
Black sandblast dial

Movement
Self-winding mechanical movement, 37 hours power reserve
Complications: Retrograde minutes, jumping Hour, Power Reserve
Patented proprietary 124-pieces module on ETA 2824-2 caliber

Strap
Perforated black calf leather strap with black PVD stainless steel butterfly folding clasp
Quick release spring bars for easy changing of strap
Additional NATO strap provided

Edition
Limited Edition of 371 pieces

Price
3850€ TTC, £3’650 incl VAT, $ 3’980 excl. Local Tax
Available to order online

NOVELTIES 2020

RESERVOIR Tiefenmesser Bronze Plume (with feather strap made by ATELIER M.MARCEAU)

RESERVOIR Watches has collaborated with the celebrated French Plumassier (feather artisan) workshop ATELIER M.MARCEAU to create a tailor-made watch strap for the RESERVOIR Tiefenmesser Bronze Plume watch. The bracelet is crafted from hand-braided, ethically-sourced rooster feathers which are intricately woven in diagonals onto calfskin leather.

Both houses are known for their French creativity and expert technical know-how. RESERVOIR invented the first and only Swiss Made jumping hour dial with retrograde minute hand on the market whilst Maxime Leroy founder of M.Marceau has collaborated with industry icons in the worlds of fashion, art, photography, cinema and interior design with his intricate feather works. In fashion world, Marceau has executed some of the most exquisite pieces of Haute Couture fashion for Chanel, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier and Louis Vuitton.

This bronze timepiece has a 43 mm diameter case fitted with AR coated sapphire crystal glass, Titanium+ sapphire crystal case-back and screw-down crown.

The RESERVOIR Tiefenmesser Bronze Plume houses a customized ETA 2824-2 calibre enhanced with a patented propriety module. On its white dial, the watch displays retrograde minutes, jumping hour and power reserve.

Made by ATELIER M.MARCEAU, the feather bracelet with calf leather lining features a stainless steel and bronze butterfly folding clasp.

The RESERVOIR Tiefenmesser Bronze Plume watch comes with an additional NATO strap. With quick release spring bars, the owner can easily change the straps.

Further collaborations between the two houses will be available in November 2020 with the Longbridge collection which will present straps in green, black and brown.

Technical details

Model: RESERVOIR Tiefenmesser Bronze Plume

Case
36L bronze case
Diameter: 43mm
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Titanium opened case-back at 240 degree
Screw-down crown
Water-resistance: 5ATM

Dial
White and blue dial

Movement
Self-winding technical movement, 37 hours power reserve
Patented propriety 124-pieces module on ETA 2824-2 calibre

Functions
Retrograde minutes, jumping hour, power reserve

Strap
Feather bracelet calf leather lining, with stainless steel and bronze butterfly folding clasp
Quick release spring bars for easy changing of strap
Additional NATO strap provided

Available from
October 2020

Retail price
Tiefenmesser Bronze Plume: £4,350 including VAT in UK (Europe: 4,590 Euros TTC/ USA: $4750 excluding local tax)
Bracelet is also available separately: £450 (available online only)