French watchmaker Reservoir is known for taking inspiration from various functional and aesthetic measuring instruments. Ranging from the Kanister Collection, which drew inspiration from the marriage of automobile aesthetic and timekeeping, to one of the brand?s more recent dive watch releases, the ??Hydrosphere Bronze ?Greg Lecoeur? Edition, which draws influence from underwater pressure gauges.

Following this trend, this year Reservoir took influence from an unexpected source, working to channel the world of sound and Hi-Fi in one of its most high profile launches to date via the Sonomaster Chronograph. Featuring two bi-retrograde display that mirrors power measurement scales or VU meters from analog stereo amplifiers, the watch highlights the creative thinking at the Paris-based brand via its sustained and novel effort to implement measuring devices into its design work. The model was originally launched in March via a black and tan “Vintage” option, with the design since expanding to further include a silver and black dial “Modern” colorway alongside an all noir “Black Thunder” iteration. We went hands-on with the black and tan variation this past summer.
On the wrist, the Sonomaster measures 43mm in diameter, wearing somewhat prominently as a result of its novel caliber inside. The steel case is stylized with a flat crown and matching chronograph pushers, each inspired by the feel of control buttons on an amplifie...