Hydrosphere: a new diver’s watch by RESERVOIR
The diver’s watch segment is characterized not only by a plethora of models, but also by the domination of three watchmaking giants: Seiko, Omega and Rolex.
Therefore, to succeed in emerging in this segment, a good dose of talent is required.
Such is the case of RESERVOIR, a French brand offering Swiss Made watches that are so seductive.
Launched in 2017, the watchmaking company created a sensation at Baselworld 2019 by unveiling its first diver’s watch: the Hydrosphere.
Madly original thanks to an exciting design that is immediately recognizable by everyone, the RESERVOIR Hydrosphere is for me the most innovative dive watch, aesthetically speaking, in recent decades.
A true (luxury) aquatic toolwatch, it draws its inspiration from pressure gauges – those instruments designed to find out during a dive session the remaining pressure (and therefore the remaining dive time) in the block.
Until recently, the RESERVOIR catalog counted three different versions of the Hydrosphere: black dial, blue dial and white dial.
I had the pleasure to test one of them in July 2019.
Since a few weeks, the collection welcomes a newcomer: the Hydrosphere Bronze Maldives Edition.
To be continued below…
RESERVOIR Hydrosphere Bronze Maldives Edition
An attractive diver’s watch with great functionality
Produced in collaboration with Revolution and edited in 100 numbered copies, the Hydrosphere Bronze Maldives Edition is, of course, based on the classic characteristics of the Hydrosphere.
To begin with, we find the common denominator of RESERVOIR watches in general: the presence of playful complications that are rarely associated nowadays – jumping hour, retrograde minute and power reserve indicator.
It is also presented on a 45-millimetre diameter bronze case with a brushed finish.
It also features the characteristics of a functional diver’s watch, such as a screw-down rubber-sheathed crown for optimal grip, a screw-down case back allowing the watch to be water-resistant to 250 meters, a helium valve for saturation diving, and of course a unidirectional rotating bezel with satin-finish ceramic insert.
The said bezel, given the retrograde display of the minutes on the one hand and its travel on a 240° arc of a circle on the other hand, nevertheless required a specific and original arrangement of its markings, the bezel being for the first time doubly graduated.
We finally find there, because it’s a dive watch, an indicator of the functioning of the watch.
It is generally the seconds hand that acts as an indicator via a luminescent zone that allows you to see, even in the dark, that your watch has not stopped.
In the absence of such a hand on the Hydrosphere, a small rotating luminescent disc on the axis of the retrograde minute hand fulfills this function.
The Hydrosphere Bronze Maldives Edition RESERVOIR differs from its predecessors in the tones it adopts – tones designed to evoke a Maldivian sunset.
Why choose this tropical paradise destination? Because Revolution is opening its first physical store… in the Maldives.
Finally, and in accordance with its commercial policy, RESERVOIR delivers the Hydrosphere Bronze Maldives Edition accompanied by two bracelets.
The first one is a rubber bracelet screwed on the caseband, the second one is a brown NATO strap.
To be continued below…
RESERVOIR Hydrosphere Bronze Maldives Edition :
The seductive characteristics of the Hydrosphere
enhanced with warm colors
The Hydrosphere Bronze Maldives Edition is a very well-born product that takes up the seductive attributes of its predecessors.
I love this automatic watch both for its great functionality and for its truly distinctive design.
Its filiation with a manometer is really well seen and gives it a real instrument watch look.
Add to that the playful dimension of the watch’s complications, which are rarely associated today – complications that allow its owner to witness a delightful spectacle at each time change: a dazzling retrograde jump of the minute hand coupled with an instant time change in the aperture at 6 o’clock.
Its new material (bronze) and tonality (brown), however, give it a new dimension.
Having never been there, I don’t know what a sunset looks like on these paradisiacal islands of the Indian Ocean.
The warm colors of this Hydrosphere Bronze Maldives Edition RESERVOIR, on the other hand, remind me of the warm colors of a roasted coffee – and in particular of the slightly chocolatey Ugandan Arabica that accompanies me every morning.
Hence my photo series!
More luxurious than its predecessors, the Hydrosphere Bronze Maldives Edition exudes, thanks to warm tones, a greater elegance without losing its functionality.
After a deep-sea dive, you will be able to go to the port of Male, capital of the Maldives, to drink a few glasses of champagne in the company of the French Consulate teams in the Maldives.
Please note: this is a limited edition of only 100 copies!
Technical characteristics and Retail price below…
RESERVOIR x Revolution Hydrosphere Bronze Maldives Edition
Technical characteristics and Retail price`
– Ref.: RSV13.HY/330-72 – Limited edition of 100 pieces
– Bronze case, 45mm Ø, brussed finishing
– Unidirectional ceramic rotating bezel with double graduation for reading the dive stop time before and after the return of the retrograde hand
– Screwed back, screwed crown
– Helium Valve
– Water resistance = 250m
– Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
– Bronze sunburst finish dial, white indexes – magnifying glass on jumping hour window
– Mechanical self-winding movement – Base caliber ETA 2824-2 with patented module of 124 pieces – Power reserve = 37h
– Complications: retrograde minute, jumping hour, power reserve indicator, date
– Rubber strap screwed on the case middle
– Additional NATO strap included, mounted on bronze stirrups
– Watch delivered in an Explorer Case
– Retail price = USD 4,400
