Reservoir Mark II Series Watch Review
Reservoir has recently launched the Mark II series, uniting its beloved ‘measuring-instrument’ dials with a new, more angular case design. In addition, the watches are now presented on integrated bracelets with three different dial options. Nina Scally takes a look at the latest offerings from the luxury marque headquartered in Paris.
Image – Reservoir GT Tour Mark II
Reservoir depuis 2017
If you’re a watchmaker, renowned for crafting watches with a distinctive style, your biggest hurdle is how to modernise and evolve your design language without losing the very essence of what made you special in the first place. Change too little and you could be criticised for becoming stagnant. Change too much and you risk losing your loyal following. It is precisely this delicate tightrope that the Parisian marque Reservoir has clearly mastered with its recently introduced Mark II series.
Since its inception in 2017, Reservoir has gained a reputation for translating the functional aesthetic of measuring instruments and adapting the look for wristworn watches, ideally suited to daily wear. Classic sports car rev counters, vintage aircraft altimeters and marine pressure gauges have all inspired the brand. Though the appearance of the dials may vary, they adopt the same approach: jumping hours, retrograde minutes and a neat power-reserve indicator at 6 o’clock. It’s a clever approach to watchmaking with each model having its own unique aesthetic while using a common movement, thereby achieving economies of scale.
Image – Reservoir Kanister Mark II
The long retrograde minutes hand sweeps clockwise to its end point and then snaps back to its point of origin in the blink of an eye. This indication sidesteps the mundane, delivering a delightful sense of theatre. Likewise, the instantaneous jumping hour coquettishly winks at the wearer, imbuing the display with a further dose of charm. By adopting this unique design language, Reservoir now boasts a devoted cohort of admirers.
Image – Reservoir GT Tour Mark II
Reservoir Mark II Series – case
On the Mark I, the dial components stole the show, while the case and strap seemingly played a lesser role. But now, with the advent of the Reservoir Mark II Series, that’s no longer the case. Indeed, the arrival of the new Mark II series marks an evolution in Reservoir’s design philosophy.
Image – GT Tour Mark II (left), Kanister Mark II (centre) and Airfreight Jet Mark II (right)
All three members of the Reservoir Mark II series, the GT Tour Mark II, the Kanister Mark II and the Airfight Jet Mark II, share the same 316L stainless steel case, measuring 41 mm in diameter. It is generously proportioned without straying into oversized territory. Gone are the softly flowing, gentle curves of earlier models, replaced with a new, highly angular case construction that juxtaposes polished facets and vertically brushed surfaces. You’ll also notice visible screws to the front, no doubt inspired by the utilitarian mechanical instruments employed in the automotive and aeronautical sectors, imbuing the watch with a sense of robustness.
The case flows directly into the bracelet, creating a sportier, more structurally complex exterior that demands more of the manufacturer in terms of machining and finishing. The design of the screw-down crown has also been carefully considered, granting ease of operation. As the lines of the case taper down, they meet the integrated bracelet with the links alternating between brushed and polished finishes. With 50 metres of water resistance, the Mark II series can easily deal with the odd unexpected downpour or the minor mishaps of daily life.
Reservoir Mark II Series – dial
All three dial options feature the signature retrograde minute arc spanning the top half, the jumping hour aperture sitting at 6 o’clock and a power reserve indicator nestled just below. These three distinct features, however, are where the similarities end.
Image – Reservoir GT Tour Mark II
The GT Tour evokes thoughts of a ’90s Porsche 911, pairing a stark, matte black dial with sharp jolts of red-orange across the minute track and the retrograde hand. Such a combination guarantees superb legibility and imbues the watch with a sense of passion and performance. The Kanister steps back in time; it’s more Porsche 356 Speedster than 911 with its mid-century typography. Reservoir pairs pastel green details with a concentric circular minutes section and a white jumping hand that sweeps over a textured black, light-absorbing centre. This combination confers a sense of period elegance with its nostalgic take on the motor gauge aesthetic. Finally, the Airfight Jet draws inspiration from aeronautical instruments, specifically the utilitarian gauges found in military aircraft. For this version, Reservoir has chosen stark, high-contrast yellow and white accents set against a black backdrop to aid readability.
Image – Reservoir Airfreight Jet Mark II
Reservoir Mark II – movement
The sapphire exhibition caseback grants a clear view of the engine, the calibre RSV-240, which has been developed in partnership with Telos, a highly respected movement constructor. Together, the two companies have created a proprietary 113-component complication module to handle the instrument display. This clever module is paired with a heavily modified La Joux-Perret G100 base calibre. Because the retrograde and jumping mechanisms are notoriously energy-hungry, the base movement’s power reserve is slightly reduced, but it still manages to deliver a very respectable 56 hours of autonomy.
Closing thoughts
It’s hard not to be thoroughly impressed by what Reservoir has achieved with the Mark II series. The Parisian luxury marque has taken a risk in redesigning its case architecture, yet crucially hasn’t lost a single drop of the unique gauge-inspired charm that made its watches so compelling from the outset. The visually arresting dial, the brand’s bespoke 113-part Telos complication module, the high-grade La Joux-Perret base and the new case structure, when taken together deliver a highly agreeable, cohesive package. The new case and integrated bracelet are destined to delight the Reservoir faithful who have long championed the brand’s dashboard-driven spirit, as well as new admirers drawn to the company’s unique, functional and handsome models.
Further reading
https://www.reservoir-watch.com
Technical specification
- Model: Reservoir Mark II Series – three variants, including GT Tour Mark II, Airfreight Jet Mark II and Kanister Mark II
- Case: 316L stainless steel, diameter 41 mm, sapphire crystal to front and case-back, water resistant to 5 ATM (50 metres).
- Functions: Jumping hours, retrograde minutes, power-reserve indicator
- Movement: Calibre RSV-240 with a patented in-house proprietary 113-part complication module, coupled with a
- modified LJP G100 self-winding mechanical movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), power reserve 56 hours.
- Strap: integrated stainless steel bracelet with folding buckle
- Price: €7,200 (RRP France including VAT as of 12.6.2026)