Founded in 2015, Reservoir is a French watch brand that has quickly distinguished itself by its bold approach to watchmaking. Its collections are inspired by measuring instruments and counters of vintage vehicles, with watches that combine retro aesthetics and modern technologies.
And if this atypical style has obviously attracted the attention of enthusiasts, what about the quality of the products? We give you our opinion on Reservoir watches in this article.
The history of the Reservoir brand
The idea for Reservoir was born from the passion of François Moreau, its founder, for old mechanical objects, such as classic car dashboards, airplane cockpits, and submarine gauges. These instruments, designed to provide essential information at a glance, inspired this former manager in the banking sector when he decided to completely change his universe and create his own watch brand in 2015.
Every model of Reservoir is therefore an ode to the precision and functionality of mechanical instruments of the past. And to translate this into a watch, the brand made a radical decision by opting for a different mode of time reading. Here, do not expect to find a simple 3-hand watch! Reservoir prefers to highlight rarer horological complications, but demonstrating real know-how: jumping hours, retrograde minutes, and power reserve.
This combination inaugurated on the first Supercharged has today become the signature of the brand, whether it’s about revisiting the diving watch (Hydrosphere) or drawing inspiration from automobile racing (Kanister).
Beyond style, this design involves the use of advanced mechanics. Claiming Swiss manufacture, Reservoir is today working with the master watchmakers of TELOS to develop the RSV-240 caliber and its 3 complications. In less than 10 years, the brand has succeeded in sharing its atypical vision and imposing itself as a true luxury watchmaking house, as demonstrated by its multiple nominations at the GPHG, its regular presence at the Geneva Watch Week or at Only Watch.
Our opinion on Reservoir
In the same vein as MeisterSinger or Beaubleu, for example, Reservoir is one of those brands that have chosen to offer an atypical reading of time. Just for this audacity, their collections therefore deserve to be discovered.
But in addition, the style is (very) refined and the assemblies are of high quality, all signs are green when recommending this brand. Whether you like it or not, it’s impossible to remain indifferent to these accessible creations around 5000€.
The iconic watches of Reservoir
Automotive, aeronautics and marine are the main sources of inspiration for Reservoir. In this respect, the GT Tour is today one of the most coveted models by enthusiasts of beautiful mechanics. Its design recalls that of the speedometers and tachometers of racing cars, with this dial in full contrast, black with white indices and a red hand.
Powered by the RSV-240 caliber mentioned above (based on La Joux-Perret G100), this watch naturally combines the retrograde minute and jumping hour. As for the power reserve indicator (about 56 hours), it resembles the fuel gauge one would like to see on a car.
While the Hydrosphere revisits the traditional diving watch with great class, it is with the Airfight collection that Reservoir also managed to make a mark. As its name suggests, this one draws its roots from aeronautics, and its lines clearly evoke the onboard instrumentation of jet and propeller aircraft of yesteryears.
Perhaps less sporty but more elegant (it almost reminds of a Longines), the Black Sparrow was designed as a tribute to Eugene Bullard, the first African-American combat pilot enlisted during the First World War in the French aviation army.
Finally, Reservoir collections should not be limited to a reinterpretation of dashboard instruments, whether they are from a boat, an airplane or a car. The comic strip world is also very present, and the star of this line showcases the characters of Blake and Mortimer.
The jumping hour and retrograde minute are always on time, but it’s the movements of the characters that help to read the time. And if you’re not a fan of the Belgian duo founded by Edgar P. Jacobs, Popeye also regularly flexes his muscles on Reservoir watches!
Where to buy Reservoir watches?
If it does not have a store in its own name, the Reservoir brand boasts no less than 80 stores (including a good twenty in France) in more than 20 countries. So there are many ways to discover the collections and try a model.
In the e-commerce section, the official site is evidently the best address, but the Kanister and its sister products are also available at certain online watchmakers (Maier…).