Who said all diving watches look alike? If models as iconic as the Fifty Fathoms or the Submariner are regularly cited as sources of inspiration (or even shamelessly copied), the Hydrosphere almost stands as an anomaly!
As always with Reservoir, this watch displays a “different” design that makes it not only recognizable at first glance but also… particularly endearing!
The always astonishing design of Reservoir watches
Since 2016, Reservoir has been adding its touch of salt (and madness!) to the watch market with a certain style. And even a definite style. Its founder, François Moreau, is obviously a watch enthusiast, but since childhood, he has also been fascinated by all vintage measuring instruments.
Thus, Reservoir draws its inspiration from both the world of car racing and the history of aerospace conquest, and this can be felt through the different collections: from the Kanister 316 reminiscent of the Porsche 356 to the Airfight chronograph referring to the P-51 Mustang fighter. Besides these mechanical references, each model shines through its particular aesthetic (we will come back to this) and its swiss made quality.
The Hydrosphere Air Gauge is no exception to the rule. The French brand unveiled it for the first time at Baselworld 2019, a few months before being nominated for the GPHG in the category of the most beautiful diving watch. Today, it comes back in a new stainless steel version with a white dial and has not lost any of its charm, quite the contrary.
A French diver but swiss made
The “radical time reading” dear to Reservoir is still on the menu, of course. Breaking the usual codes of the diver’s watch, this Hydrosphere looks just like the first pressure gauges, these instruments used to measure pressure. Three complications are combined on this timepiece: the 240° retrograde minute, the jumping hour and the power reserve.
The steel case, with a generous diameter of 45 mm, is topped with a ceramic rotating bezel, on which a double scale allows for measuring dive time while taking into account the retrograde minute (a bit complicated to explain in writing, much simpler to understand by handling the watch!). It is the multiple details on the dial that make this Hydrosphere so enticing.
For example, one can mention the red zone present between the graduations 00 and 10, which recalls that of the gauges… as well as that of the Supercharged Red Zone. At 6 o’clock, the two-tone power reserve indicator (blue and red) is reminiscent of a fuel gauge, while the magnifying glass on the jumping hour is invariably reminiscent of the Submariner… And it is only by looking closer that we discover the seconds indicator located in the center of the dial, at the base of the minute hand.
Equipped with a screwed crown and base, as well as a helium valve, this Hydrosphere Air Gauge is not just reminiscent of a diving watch, it is a true one. Indeed, it is waterproof up to 250 meters and its entire dial benefits from a Super-Luminova treatment, whose visual rendering is quite impressive in the dark. Its automatic winding mechanical movement, a patented module made up of 124 pieces built on an ETA2824 caliber base, gives it 37 hours of power reserve.
The complete features of the watch
| Case | 316L steel with satin finish 45 mm in diameter Sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating Unidirectional ceramic bezel Screwed steel back Waterproof to 250 meters, helium valve |
|---|---|
| Dial | White Super-Luminova dial Black index Magnifier on the jumping hour window Power reserve indicator |
| Strap | Dark blue rubber strap 316L stainless steel strap with blade folding clasp and extension system |
| Movement | Automatic winding mechanical movement, patented 124 part module on ETA2824 caliber Retrograde minute, jumping hour, power reserve Power reserve: 37 hours |
| Suggested retail price | 4800 euros |
In summary, our review on the Reservoir Hydrosphere Air Gauge watch
For those who want to stand out with a watch, we recommend this Hydrosphere Air Gauge eyes closed. We have already told you several times on Masculin.com all the good that we thought of the Reservoir brand and this diver’s watch only confirms our impressions. Despite its imposing size, it remains comfortable on the wrist thanks to the absence of horns and the perfectly integrated bracelet (even if this makes the change more complicated).
Of course, this unconventional design may not necessarily be unanimously accepted, but that might also be the strength of this Hydrosphere. However, this difference comes at a price: 4800€, roughly in the same range as a Tudor Black Bay or Pelagos.
