KMII
[Montblanc Moderator]
50228
Power reserve - what is your take on it?
I suppose that a power reserve complication does not quite incite high passion like a date window does. Still, I have been thinking about the topic somewhat and would like your opinion on the feature. Personally I like the watch to be as clean as possible, so superfluous information should stay off. A power reserve I find useful at times but not always very well executed. My absolute favourite solution is to have it displayed at the back, so that one can actually check it when necessary but that it's not present the whole time (a la Saab's Night Panel of years gone by).
From: http://saabplanet.saabplanet.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/night-panel-624x564.jpg
At the same time, there are watches, where a power reserve on the front really contributes to the balance of the dial in my humble opinion, such as here:
So what's your take on the subject? Necessary or not? Back or front? On automatics as well as hand wound watches? Only with movements that have a really long power reserve?
Thanks for your opinions!
Power reserve - what is your take on it?
I suppose that a power reserve complication does not quite incite high passion like a date window does. Still, I have been thinking about the topic somewhat and would like your opinion on the feature. Personally I like the watch to be as clean as possible...
Just on the JLC?
Or is it a feature you really like to have on all your watches Marcelo? Thanks for your input!
Thanks for the reply, KMII.
Not all. Some, like the Richard Lange, are impecable as they are.
Fair point :)
As said, personally I like most watches without a power reserve on the dial but find it a cool feature for the back side.
On a long power reserve watch, yes, it is useful.
On a very short power reserve, less than 40 hours, also. For the rest... Except if it was part of the concept, such as the JLC Futurematic, or the Powermatic. At that time, it was something! Best, Nicolas
Back is more my taste, but it depends on the watch.
A marine chronometer, for example, is better ( in my opinion ) with the power reserve on the dial.
I agree with Nicholas that it depends on the type of watch
Marine Chronometer or B-Uhr is better with the PR on the dial Classic watch on the back You can't go wrong if you choose this Senator Observer. One of those watches that I would like to have! ...
It's nice but
not necessary because so soon I have a manual watch on my wrist I turn the crown at least every other hour. ...
Thank you for your input, Jocke!
And for that killer Dornblüth - where the power reserve definitely blends in
I think it is useful in two cases
handwind: long power reserve because you are not obliged to wind the watch every day. automatic: the winding efficiency can be very different from caliber to another one and sometimes, I feel the need. I don't think it is useful for handwind watches with ...
I think sometimes it's useful
on a manual watch with screwdown crown. Then I can minimize the unscrewing of the crown and avoid thread wear.
Great question .
And one I have thought about a lot myself, as I also do not like fussy dials and tend to step towards dress watches. I think a reserve is perhaps the most useful complication especially for manual watches. After all, if I want complications I will go to m...
Agreed on the great balance of the Dornblüth
And on the elegance of the Moser solution Thanks for your opinion!
It's a nice complication on the movement side.
On the dial-only a very few watches benefit from its appearance. Marine Chronometers; and for balancing the dial on some others. I don't think it's a necessary complication.
It can add to the overall look of a watch
Hi I have a couple of watches with power reserves - but with very different implementations. Nomos Tangent Futurematic For both add to each of the watches - the Futurematic is probably more balanced, but the Nomos has its appeal too. I like how the disk s...
Thanks for your pics!
Both examples you show are very nice - on the Futurematic it is really essential to the design. You also reminded me of another excellent JLC power reserve From: ...
I love when everything is upside-down such as with my GO PanoInverse XL
Or with my Breguet La Tradition with its power reserve indicators on the front... and back sides ;-) (sorry I have no picture of it in my iPhone at the moment). Best wishes Alkiro ...
How's that for a curveball :)
When most of the parts from the back are at the front, the PR belongs there, too Thanks for sharing Alkiro!
Functionally not really necessary, unless on the usual automatic or on a watch with long PR(auto and manual)
If brands are going to implement one, it needs to enhance the aesthetics. A lot of times it's added as a feature(I guess to justify price difference, especially on low and mid end watches) and takes away from the design of the dial or movement.
I agree with you on its use as a price differentiator
Often ruining the balance in the process Thanks for your input!
I actually love a power reserve indicator, as I find it very useful.
Mainly on manual winding watches and I prefer it to be visible so I do not have to look at the back every time. I am partial to a few pieces I own that have it, but it is definitely not the first thing I look for.
I don't have a take on it.
I just wanted to chime in that I like watches with power reserves and I like them without them. I find them very convenient. But it's not a feature I require nor even request. I do wish to add; I was told by a man of great watch knowledge that a good and ...
That's interesting
Did not know it to be that \'complicated\'. The point with the happy watch - brilliant! Thanks for your input.
You're welcome! Glad you liked that last anecdote.
Just looked at my watch and it has apparently stopped earlier as the time is slow by an hour, it's an automatic watch with a power reserve. Looks like I have a grumpy watch! Time to wind it and wear it a lot today to make it happy again!
Good reason :)
The only problem being if many watches show you the same message concurrently...