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It was in 2019 that I first strapped on a Reservoir Hydrosphere watch — a prototype that received me actually excited to evaluation the ultimate retail mannequin. Over a 12 months later, Reservoir lastly began to ship the long-awaited diver’s model watches from the French timepiece model whose complete theme is presently retrograde minutes: leaping hour watches based mostly on a proprietary motion module the corporate developed. The Hydrosphere is the nonetheless new model’s first critical diver’s watch in each appears and efficiency. It’s been actually cool to put on and it was completely definitely worth the wait. For myself and different diver-style watch lovers, that is simply one of the modern software watches of the 12 months.
Reservoir produces a number of variations of the Hydrosphere timepiece, which range in dial colour and case materials. I just like the Hydrosphere Air Gauge specifically as a result of because the title of the product implies, the dial is extremely harking back to analog air gauges. One of many attention-grabbing issues about this specific SCUBA diving instrument is that the majority BCD items (the vest diver’s put on which maintain the air tanks) have an air gauge that appears nearly an identical to the watch. Which means that most leisure divers at this time have used such air gauges and visually acknowledge them. Why is that this necessary? As a result of the Reservoir Hydrosphere Air Gauge is among the solely luxurious diving watches at this time that truly visually goes with at this time’s diving tools. This implies the watch dial is each relatable and acquainted to not simply watch lovers, however to a bigger inhabitants of basic SCUBA diving lovers (like myself).
The retrograde minutes and leaping hour dial format that Reservoir makes use of is enticing however not instantly translatable to a conventional analog diver’s watch. An enormous a part of that is the truth that the rotating timing bezel assumes the minute hand makes full rotations across the dial. On this occasion, the minute hand strikes alongside an arc that’s maybe 2/3 of the circumference of the complete dial. Meaning the 60-minute countdown scale wanted to be reworked a bit, whereas an additional psychological calculation must be performed if the minute hand jumps again to the beginning place. I feel Reservoir overcame this problem properly, but it surely does take a little bit of time to make use of all the conventional diver’s watch options in a method that mainstream watch lovers perceive. The rotating bezel itself has a ceramic insert, which is among the many “premium” options which are welcome to have in what’s in any other case a well-made novelty product. And I, for one, actually admire the novelty. That is additionally alternative to say an identical diver’s watch I just lately reviewed — which was additionally the primary diver’s piece from a small model — the leaping hour MeisterSinger Salthora Meta X (aBlogtoWatch evaluation right here). I feel it will be attention-grabbing for anybody romanced by these “different divers” to see how these two equally priced watches examine.
Residing with the look ahead to some time, I discovered the legibility to be easy, although it requires some getting used to over a conventional 12-hour dial. I actually like that Reservoir included a small upside-down magnifier over the leaping hour window close to 6 o’clock on the dial. This helps enhance readability for the hours. Beneath the window might be probably the most enticing linear power-reserve indicator I’ve seen on a watch shortly — simply one thing about the way it was designed makes it really feel very enticing. General detailing on the dial and bezel are wonderful. Very excessive marks to Reservoir on the eye to precision and particulars on these areas (which many smaller new manufacturers don’t deal with as meticulously).
As a diver’s watch, the Hydrosphere is water resistant to 250 meters and has a built-in automated helium launch valve. The case is bigger at 45mm-wide, but it surely wears smaller as a result of comparatively slim, stubby lugs. Extra so, for the reason that lugs are positioned towards the underside of the case, the Hydrosphere appears like it’s driving in your wrist, which boosts consolation and makes the general measurement extra appropriate to smaller wrists. The case can be almost 15mm-thick with the domed sapphire crystal. It doesn’t really feel too thick, however this isn’t a small watch, per se. Regardless that the case is claimed to be 45mm-wide, the bezel itself is a bit wider at about 47mm in width. So once more, it is a bigger timepiece however one which wears a bit smaller than its bulk would recommend.
Reservoir sells every Hydropshere in metal with each an identical steel bracelet and a bespoke rubber strap. To swap them out, you’ll want to make use of a screwdriver however in any other case, I applaud the corporate for providing each case attachment choices. The fact is that in case you are truly diving with the watch, the rubber strap is extra sensible on condition that it retains the watch safer. In case you are carrying the Hydrosphere round city as a way of life watch (which I feel will likely be principally the place this — like different dive watches — will find yourself), then the bracelet affords a barely extra subtle, high-end really feel.
The bracelet is properly made, and although it has a generic three-link design to it, you’ll be able to inform by the small print corresponding to the marginally curved hyperlinks that this isn’t a generic bracelet. Additional, the deployant clasp has a micro-adjust function that may simply turn out to be useful to broaden the bracelet measurement on the spot. The micro-adjust system is extraordinarily environment friendly however visually appears a bit extra primary than what we will discover in another luxurious diver’s watches corresponding to Rolex or Omega.
Reservoir designed a slightly conservative caseback for the Hydrosphere — which I feel is a little bit of a missed alternative. No, I don’t need some tacky engraving of a diver, however sure themed visuals or a view of the motion may have been good to assist add taste this in any other case tasty horological dish. Talking of visuals, this Air Gauge model of the Hydrosphere has a wholly lume-painted dial. The lume isn’t super-thickly utilized, however there’s lots of it over the dial. Sadly, the numerals within the leaping hour window should not lume-painted. So, whereas the darkness impact for the Hydrosphere Air Gauge is cool-looking, it’s marred by some minor practicality points that I’ve a sense the Reservoir model will treatment in future diver’s watch fashions since these merchandise are too good to not proceed lengthy into the longer term.
Powering the watch is a base Swiss Made ETA 2824-2 automated motion which has a specifically made module system positioned over it. The module system was developed by Reservoir and contains the ability reserve, leaping hour, and retrograde seconds performance. The watch does certainly have a seconds fingers, which is the small centrally mounted disc in the course of the dial. This operates extra as a “working indicator” however can be utilized should you want a seconds counter. The motion with the module naturally has barely much less energy reserve than with out it given the elevated power-consumption calls for. With the 124-component module, the automated motion operates at 4Hz with a 37-hour energy reserve. Having the power-reserve indicator on the dial makes issues very useful.
I’m general actually proud of the Reservoir Hydrosphere Air Gauge, each as a luxurious novelty wearable and as a software watch. Reservoir did the difficult process of constructing each a purposeful timepiece in addition to an emotionally charged wearable that must be greater than only a sensible software on the wrist. Value-wise, the Hydrosphere isn’t precisely entry-level, but it surely feels honest given what else you will get for the value — in addition to what different decently made leaping hour, retrograde second watches are on the market. I totally anticipate these watches change into more and more attention-grabbing to members of the timepiece collector neighborhood who’re always in search of novelty in a product that additionally wears and feels acquainted. Value for Reservoir Hydrosphere Air Gauge reference RSV03.HY/130-21.AG watch is $4,300 USD. Study extra on the Reservoir web site right here.
Crucial Information
>Model: Reservoir
>Mannequin: Hydrosphere Air Gauge reference RSV03.HY/130-21.AG
>Value: $4,300 USD
>Dimension: 45mm-wide, ~15mm-thick, and ~52mm lug-to-lug distance.
>When reviewer would personally put on it: Good different each day dive-style watch whenever you need to stand out just a bit bit. Will look acquainted to those that are skilled divers.
>Good friend we’d suggest it to first: Watch lover excited about diver-style watches and leaping hour problems that desires a very well-done “themed” watch from a more moderen model.
>Finest attribute of watch: Glorious originality and expression of the air gauge theme. Makes a cool software watch that’s legible however distinctive with regards to market selections. Value feels honest and detailing all through is general excellent.
>Worst attribute of watch: Case measurement is perhaps too giant for some wrists. Caseback is a bit easy. Leaping hour numerals not lumed.
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