Reservoir is a watch brand with vintage-automobile influence in its DNA. Best known for its retrograde dial configurations, the French-founded watchmaker has built its modern aesthetic around racing, speedometers, and vintage measuring instruments. In late 2021, continuing in this spirit, Reservoir introduced the new Kanister Collection, a family of fresh-faced titanium-cased watches inspired by the legendary 356 Speedster made by Porsche in the 1950s.
The watch’s overall layout should be familiar to anyone who has encountered a Reservoir before, complete with the brand’s signature retrograde-type display in which minutes are indicated on a three-quarters scale on the top section of the dial, and the passing, jumping hours appear in a digital located toward the bottom. The Kanister editions also feature a small power-reserve indicator.
Setting the Kanister apart from other Reservoir models are its details and captivating color scheme, which draw direct influence from speedometers found on the vintage Porsche car from the 1950s. In this vein, the retrograde minute at 240˚ is meant to recall the Speedster’s R.P.M counters; the jumping hour, its mileage meters; and the power-reserve display, its fuel gauges.
While the dial is the foremost draw for the watch, its case is noteworthy, too, produced in grade 5 titanium with a primarily polished finishing throughout and a stylized, knurled-edge crown to complement its look. Overall, the case offers a solid “high-low” combination of styles in its professional-grade materials and sporty influences in tandem with its more luxurious finishing. The black leather strap that secures the watch to the wrist continues the theme, its bucket-seat-inspired style adding a sporty edge to its elevated material.
Like all Reservoir watches, the Kanister features a specially customized automatic movement, in this case an ETA 2824-2 caliber that’s been enhanced with a proprietary 124-piece module. The upgraded mechanism is capable of a 37-hour power reserve, and is visible with its partially skeletonized rotor behind a sapphire caseback.
Available now, through Reservoir directly as well as through its authorized dealers, the Kanister Collection is offered with the choice of an additional NATO strap for $4,150, or in a set with three additional leather straps for $4,350.
To learn more, visit Reservoir, here.