Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

Article: Understanding the "power reserve" of a watch

monter automatique homme réserve de marche

Understanding the "power reserve" of a watch

The power reserve is the length of time a watch movement can run when its barrel spring is wound to its maximum. When the power reserve is exhausted, the mechanism stops working and the watch stops. In other words, the power reserve is the autonomy of your mechanical watch. Depending on the watch model, the power reserve can vary from a dozen hours to several days. Most often, the power reserve of an automatic mechanical watch is about forty hours of autonomy. 

The power reserve indicator: a beautiful watchmaking complication

The initial function of a watch is to tell the time, but they are sometimes equipped with additional complications that can be both functional and aesthetic. Among these complications, there is the power reserve indicator that shows how much time your mechanical watch has left before it stops. The power reserve indicator lets you know how much time your watch has left before you have to wind it. Most often, the power reserve indicator is displayed with a hand that indicates the level of autonomy of the watch on a portion of a circle. Visually, it is very similar to the fuel level display in a car. The circle portion is graduated in hours, days or simply indicates a level from "full" to "empty".  Both elegant and practical, the power reserve indicator is a very attractive complication.

The Initial Réserve de Marche, our watch with power reserve indicator

At Charlie Paris, we have designed a watch with a power reserve indicator. We offer this automatic watch with a blue or white dial. With its quality components and classic yet contemporary design, this men's automatic watch will last for many years.  In addition to the hour, minute, second and date functions, you'll find two counters, the top one indicating the watch's power reserve (which is 40 hours) and the bottom one indicating 24 hours. Our French men's Initial Réserve de Marche watch is available in a Day/Night version with a blue dial. 

You might like these articles

Symon Welfringer

Symon Welfringer: the spirit of adventure on your wrist with the GRX - EVO-III

Experience adventure and the spirit of conquest on your wrist with the collaboration between renowned mountaineer Symon Welfringer and Charlie Paris. Together, they created the GRX Evo III, a watc...

Read more
L'évolution des formes des montres : quand l'horlogerie sculpte le temps

The evolution of watch shapes: when watchmaking sculpts time

For centuries, the watch has not only been an instrument for measuring time, it has also been an object of style, a reflection of the times and of watchmaking advances.

Read more

You might also like...

5 raisons pour lesquelles la Concordia Nazaré est faite pour l’océan

5 reasons why the Concordia Nazaré is made for the ocean

Discover the 5 reasons why the Concordia Nazaré collection is made for the ocean. Discover the uniqueness of this Portuguese port city that has made it a must-see destination for water sports, esp...

Read more
Fête des Mères : 5 montres Charlie Paris pour lui faire plaisir

Mother's Day: 5 Charlie Paris watches to please her

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and what better way to give a gift than with a watch that combines elegance, precision, and functionality? Explore our 5 flagship models that will delight women w...

Read more
Quel futur pour l'horlogerie française ?

What future for French watchmaking?

Between tradition and innovation, French watchmaking is experiencing a new lease of life. Discover how the TimeFest trade shows in Bordeaux and We Love Watches in Paris are celebrating this renais...

Read more
Étapes d'assemblage horlogerie

Everything you need to know about the steps involved in assembling a watch

At Charlie Paris, assembling our watches in France is more than just a promise: it's a concrete commitment. Each model is carefully assembled in our Parisian workshop, the result of rigorous and p...

Read more
Couronne vissée : à quoi sert-elle et pourquoi est-elle si importante en horlogerie ?

Screw-down crown: what is it for and why is it so important in watchmaking?

Discover the importance of the screw-down crown in watchmaking. Essential for the water resistance and robustness of watches, it protects the movement against water and dust infiltration. Featured...

Read more
5 montres pour le printemps

Our selection of watches in spring colors

Looking for the perfect watch for spring? Discover our selection of five fresh and elegant watches from the Sauge collection by Charlie Paris.

Read more
Les plus belles revues de montres Charlie Paris 2025

The most beautiful Charlie Paris watch reviews 2025

Because a watch never lives alone, we've gathered your most beautiful photos of Charlie Paris watches here. Thank you for these inspiring views.

Read more
Montre étanche ou résistante à l’eau : quelle différence ?

Waterproof or water-resistant watch: what's the difference?

What does a "water-resistant" watch really mean? And what's the difference between a waterproof watch and a waterproof watch? We'll explain everything you need to know to make the right choice.

Read more
Pourquoi porte-t-on sa montre à gauche plus qu'à droite ?

Why do we wear our watch on the left side more than on the right?

Many of you wear your Charlie on your wrist, but not just any wrist! Very often the left one.  There are various explanations for this, but just for you, we have chosen three.

Read more