The Real Time Show: Episode Summary – "Time To Watches: Reservoir"
Release Date: May 31, 2025
Hosts: Rob Knutz & Alain Ben Joseph
Introduction
In the latest episode of The Real Time Show, hosts Rob Knutz and Alain Ben Joseph delve into an engaging conversation with Francois Moreau, the founder of Reservoir Watch Company. Filmed live from Geneva during one of the premier watchmaking events of the year, the episode offers listeners an insider’s perspective on Reservoir’s strategies, latest innovations, and experiences at the watch fair.
Reservoir’s Presence at the Geneva Watch Fair
Francois Moreau kicks off the discussion by expressing his enthusiasm for being in Geneva, highlighting it as a pivotal time for watchmakers to engage with the market, journalists, enthusiasts, retailers, and distributors.
Francois Moreau [00:22]: "Very happy to be in Geneva. You know, this is the most exciting time of the year for watchmakers to meet the market, journalists, enthusiasts, retailers, of course, distributors."
He praises the Villa Saraza venue for its strategic location near Palexpo, which he believes enhances accessibility compared to previous locations.
Francois Moreau [02:10]: "It's a very professional fair... For us, it's a really professional B2B fair."
Francois reflects on Reservoir’s evolution in event participation, mentioning their initial challenges with venue accessibility and their strategic shift to more central locations to maximize engagement.
The Importance of Novelties in Watch Fairs
A significant portion of the conversation centers around the necessity of introducing novelties at watch fairs. Francois emphasizes that showcasing new releases is crucial for maintaining brand relevance and generating excitement among attendees.
Francois Moreau [03:16]: "The market expects novelties. They want to see what is the traction. What kind of traction is the brand having? Is there anything new coming?"
Rob Knutz echoes this sentiment, noting the heightened anticipation and online buzz these novelties generate, particularly on platforms like Instagram.
Reservoir’s Latest Innovations: The Popeye Series
Reservoir Watch Company has recently unveiled three new novelties, which Francois elaborates on with enthusiasm. The standout feature is the Popeye series, which merges playful character designs with functional watchmaking.
Francois Moreau [04:24]: "We're continuing to develop the comics by Reservoir range... We've done quite a large number of series of Popeye watches, like Popeye on a Camel in the Desert, or Popeye Playing Cricket... and a new series coming, Popeye Playing Badminton."
The Popeye watches are notable for their retrograde minute complications, where each hour features Popeye performing a different activity. This creative approach not only adds personality to the timepiece but also engages collectors and enthusiasts by offering something beyond conventional watch designs.
One of the highlights is the Golf Popeye watch, which integrates a golf swing motion into the time-telling mechanism. Francois describes how this design choice brings the character to life:
Francois Moreau [06:51]: "Every hour he's just swinging his ball in a very cool, you know, dial with green grass, hills and blue sky with white clouds. Pretty cool."
Additionally, Reservoir introduces new characters to enrich the Popeye universe. Sweepy, Popeye’s baby, serves as a whimsical indicator for the watch's power reserve, adding a charming touch to the watch’s functionality.
Francois Moreau [04:24]: "We've made this is a blue sandstone dial... and we've made a more elegant version with lab-grown diamonds, 64 diamonds, giving a very elegant, very feminine watch."
These innovations underscore Reservoir’s commitment to blending fun and functionality, ensuring their watches stand out in a crowded market.
Hosts’ Feedback on Reservoir Watches
Alain Ben Joseph offers his admiration for Reservoir’s approach, emphasizing the brand’s ability to infuse fun into watchmaking without compromising on quality.
Alain Ben Joseph [10:04]: "Reservoir, a brand infused with fun, jumping hours, retrograde hands. And they brought the fun to the fair this year. They did a cool watch with golf."
He also notes the brand’s strong market presence, evidenced by the rapid sell-out of their golf-themed Popeye watch, reflecting ongoing consumer interest in playful and innovative timepieces.
Rob Knutz provides a more technical analysis of Reservoir’s designs. He commends the brand’s creativity and humor but also offers constructive criticism regarding the aesthetics of certain watch cases.
Rob Knutz [11:32]: "They require custom modules to display the time in the manner that they do... But there are some cases within the collection that I very much prefer. So I like the case of the GT Tour model... much more than I like the Long Bridge."
Rob highlights specific models that stand out, such as the GT Tour and Supercharged models, praising their robust and exciting case designs. Conversely, he points out that some models, like the Long Bridge and Fastback, could benefit from more dynamic case structures to enhance their visual appeal.
Rob Knutz [11:32]: "I think that the lugs of the Long Bridge and the canister, for example, are not quite as meaty as they could be."
Despite these critiques, both hosts agree that Reservoir has secured a lasting position in the watchmaking industry, ensuring that the brand remains both relevant and beloved by aficionados.
Conclusion: Reservoir’s Future in Watchmaking
As the episode draws to a close, Francois expresses optimism about Reservoir’s trajectory, affirming the brand’s dedication to innovation and market engagement.
Francois Moreau [09:42]: "Thank you for treating me so well... Happy to catch up end of this week. Thank you. Great pleasure."
The hosts reiterate their support and excitement for Reservoir’s future endeavors, looking forward to the brand’s continued success and upcoming releases.
Rob Knutz [11:32]: "You're absolutely right. The brand is here to stay and long may their success continue. And I look forward to seeing whatever it is that they have to bring at the next major event."
Key Takeaways
- Reservoir Watch Company is actively participating in the Geneva watch fair, showcasing their latest innovations and engaging with a professional B2B audience.
- Introducing novelties is crucial for maintaining brand relevance and generating excitement among industry stakeholders.
- The Popeye series exemplifies Reservoir’s creative approach, blending playful character designs with functional watchmaking innovations.
- While Reservoir’s designs are celebrated for their creativity and humor, there is room for improvement in certain aspects of their case designs to enhance overall aesthetic appeal.
- Both hosts affirm Reservoir’s strong position in the watchmaking industry, anticipating continued growth and success.
This episode of The Real Time Show offers a comprehensive look into Reservoir’s strategic approach to watchmaking, their commitment to innovation, and their dynamic presence in the competitive watch fair landscape. Listeners gain valuable insights into the intersection of creativity and functionality that drives Reservoir’s enduring appeal.