cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17068
Power Reserve Indicators
The Sea Hawk report prompted this post. Notice its prominent power reserve scale with WIND and UP notices at either end? I did.
A small fraction of manual or automatic watches feature a power reserve indicator. These devices show the "state of the winding" so presumably the wearer can rewind his watch before it completely runs down. This is not a new development, clocks too have had these for many years.
Blue wound up fully; red run down.
I did a survey of my watches and looked at a few others - for such a simple device there certainly are a lot of variations! Starting with watches I have never owned, the closest in style to the Sea Hawk's display is the Chopard Mille Miglia version shown here (photo from Chopard)
I think it has too much information, while in contrast this Frank Muller 7-day watch has (in my opinion) too little information!
Not only are there information excesses and deficits, the displays vary so dramatically that one scarcely knows what they mean. The Nomos people like their display but I don't understand it nor do I like the asymmetry.
This Breguet has a large and randomly placed indication that dominates the dial.
The Germans favor the up down labels (go here for a detailed Foversta article on power reserves):
And this BlancpaiN alarm is way too complicated (two power indicators).
I actually like this one, although it has a bit more writing than I normally prefer. (Shamelessly lifted from Marcus' recent report)
Well, enough analysis of "the other guys", here are a few from watches that are (or were) mine own:
JLC
SEIKO
Ulysse-Nardin
SEIKO
Ulysse-Nardin
FP Journe
What is your favorite style of power indication? Hours/Days? Up/Down? Graphic? None? Cheers,
Cazalea
More posts:
Power Reserve Indicators
The Sea Hawk report prompted this post. Notice its prominent power reserve scale with WIND and UP notices at either end? I did. A small fraction of manual or automatic watches feature a power reserve indicator. These devices show the "state of the winding...
I like easy to understand PR indicators....
.. while I DO love Lange U/D :-) This is also easy to understand, though... Interesting view point, Mike! Ken ...
The Journe is interesting
as I think it indicates the time the watch already runs. So "0" would be fully wind. Although based on historical examples, I think it can be confusing. The only one I have is a Lange One which I think is quite balanced. Interesting topic! Best regards, D...
I love the UN a lot, also the GP Sea Hawk...
A power reserve makes sense in a diving Watch. It is a matter of security! Another power reserve I love a lot is this one... Futurematic by JLC, in the Fifties... ...
Nice post, Cazalea!
On a sports watch I really like it to be visible, like on the GP Sea Hawk. But on a dress watch I prefer a more "hidden" PR... Best Blomman ...
And if the indicator says "AUF / AB...
it doesn't matter if dress- or sports watch - I like it! ;) Best Blomman ...
Lots of variety
Hi There seem to be innumerable ways of showing how much power that's left. Have to say the stand out one for me is the RDM - its still on my list to get at some point. The two I have are the inevitable futurematic - is just a great watch with a well bala...
The Nomos is similar to this patented UN ...
... that, too, rotates the full display together with the mainspring barrel, but during unwinding, only the hand (in the UN example) is moving backwards: Marcus ...
That's what I loved about this watch
This one was my first serious watch investment 11 years ago. I still have it, as it is the only RG black dial I own. I just don't wear it that often anymore, having shifted to white metal th majority of the time. This watch has several interesting details...
A very good question indeed!
As I own only one watch with a power reserve indicator, my favourite style is the one of the Patek Philippe 5712. I like that it shows the remaining power in 12h steps. The red dots are like a visual alert and put some spice on the dial. The "Auf/Ab" of L...
A few favourites ...
Breguet 3655 Tourbillon Power Reserve 24hr retrograde YG Breguet Tourbillon Credor spring drive sonnerie 48h PR De Bethune BaselWorld 2006 moonphase power reserve De Bethune GMT Power Reserve Favre-Leuba Mercury Power Reserve Girard-Perregaux tourbillon H...
Nice bunch of indicators Andrew. Thanks!
A few of them are no so very clear - if the indicator was a cabin on a cruise ship it might be marked "Obstructed view" Here's a unknown brand that seems like it was given a clever dial design, but no one told the watch engineer where it the arbor should ...
I like the IWC 7-day too
I meant to include a picture of it in my report, but forgot. Here's my (I think this was taken from IWC) photo. Don't you love this dial? Cheers, Cazalea ...
