power reserve

Every watch—whether inexpensive or luxury—is only as good as the movement that powers it. In this context, the so-called power reserve is a central topic that every watch lover should consider in depth. We explain what the term "power reserve" actually means, take a look at the history of power reserves, and, of course, introduce some top luxury watches with power reserves.

What exactly is the power reserve?

Power reserves are found in mechanical watches. These receive the energy they need to run from this power reserve. This works with the help of a mainspring in the watch's barrel. This mainspring is wound by turning the winding crown – in automatic watches, this is not done manually, but by a rotor. This tension starts the watch and decreases over time. The time from full winding to maximum relaxation of the mainspring is known as the running time. Once this time has elapsed and the spring is relaxed, the timepiece stops.

As a general rule, it is recommended never to fully utilize the spring tension, but rather to wind hand-wound watches regularly. The more spring tension, the greater the accuracy of the movement. To let the wearer know when it's time to wind the watch, watches with a power reserve often have a power reserve indicator.

Power reserve - the origin

Power reserves are nothing new: The first clock with an autonomy of movement is estimated to have been built in the 15th century. Previously, clocks were powered by weights or water, which naturally required a certain size of the timepiece and made them quite bulky. The power reserve was intended to change this and made it possible to build watches in such small sizes that they could be worn comfortably on the wrist.

The first watches with power reserve

Watches with power reserve indicators were predestined for use in precision timekeeping. They were introduced as such in 1933 in the form of a wristwatch prototype by the Breguet brand. The first mass-produced watch with a power reserve indicator followed in 1948, from Jaeger-LeCoultre . Known under the name "Powermatic," these wristwatches with power reserve indicators quickly conquered the mainstream market.

How is the power reserve displayed?

The power reserve can be indicated in a variety of ways. A common way is with a power reserve scale with a pointer that moves as the springs lose tension. When the watch is fully wound, the pointer moves to one end of the scale and then moves towards the other end as the spring tension decreases. It is also possible to indicate the remaining power reserve using a cutout in the dial. This cutout, made popular by Jaeger-LeCoultre, reveals the correspondingly printed power reserve disc. Some manufacturers are getting really creative these days, and so there are now countless variations of the power reserve indicator in almost every imaginable shape.

Top watches with power reserve

As announced at the beginning, we would now like to take a closer look at some watches in different price ranges that have the small complications of a power reserve indicator.

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Up/Down

As a tribute to its founder , A. Lange & Söhne produced the luxury watch 1815, whose name commemorates the year Ferdinand A. Lange was born. This elegant wristwatch boasts a power reserve of 72 hours, indicated by a distinctive up/down scale. Thanks to its classic dial design, this hand-wound men's watch appeals to a wide range of tastes and is definitely something for the style-conscious wearer who appreciates functionality and luxury in everyday life.

Zenith Elite 6150

The Zenith Elite 6150 is a watch that connoisseurs need only take a single glance to recognize its value. It's a rather simple timepiece of unfussy elegance, whose mechanical movement runs like clockwork for up to 100 hours when fully wound. The power reserve is thus remarkably high, which may be one reason why this model omitted a visual power reserve indicator. This way, nothing distracts from the brilliant understated elegance radiated by the straightforward dial of the Elite 6150.

TAG Heuer Grand Carrera

The TAG Heuer Grand Carrera is a men's watch with a steel case that's priced mid-range. The remaining time until the movement stops is displayed in a particularly simple yet highly informative way. The power reserve indicator is located at the 9 o'clock position and consists of a vertical scale that is entirely unmarked. Fine lines divide the display of the remaining power of the spring, and a small hand reminds the wearer to wind the watch.

Cartier Tortoise

The Cartier Tortue is a good example of a high-quality watch with a power reserve indicator whose shape conforms to the standard. Located at the 6 o'clock position, the indicator resembles a car's tachymeter. This type of power reserve indicator is very common today and fits particularly harmoniously into the overall design of this Cartier watch.

IWC Big Pilot's Top Gun

Often described as a masterpiece among hand-wound luxury watches, the Big Pilot's Top Gun from IWC impresses across the board. The movement with 7-day power reserve is actually designed for a full eight days. Nevertheless, it makes sense that the device stops working after "only" seven days without rewinding. This ensures that the watch's accuracy meets the highest standards at all times.

Patek Philippe Nautilus

Patek Philippe 's Nautilus models delight watch enthusiasts for many reasons. One of these is the wristwatch's rather unusual power reserve indicator. In this case, the power reserve indicator is positioned around the 59th minute and thus not—as is traditionally intended—at 3, 6, 9, or 12 o'clock. Therefore, anyone longing for a luxurious watch in which the small complications are not necessarily presented in the typical manner should take a closer look at the Nautilus models.

Conclusion on the power reserve

To put it simply, the power reserve is the component of a mechanical watch movement that supplies the watch with energy. Winding a spring tensions the watch, keeping it running. This tension gradually decreases as the watch is wound, until the watch finally stops—at least unless it is rewound in time. The power reserve indicator helps the wearer estimate the watch's running time and remember to rewind it regularly. Today's market offers a huge selection of different watches with power reserves, so everyone can find a model that fully meets their personal needs and expectations.