Reservoir Sonomaster Chronograph Black Thunder, inspired by an amplifier volume meter

The all-black Sonomaster Chronograph Black Thunder has been added to the Sonomaster Chronograph collection, launched by French watch brand Reservoir in 2022. This striking model features a large 43mm case with black PVD coating. It's the perfect choice for music lovers and rock musicians.

The Sonomaster Chronograph collection is inspired by amplifier volume meters

　Founded in 2016, Reservoir draws inspiration from vintage instruments and has developed watches that incorporate the functionality and beauty of meters used in the automotive, aviation, and marine industries into their designs.

　Since 2022, Reservoir has been offering the Sonomaster Chronograph collection, which is inspired by vintage audio amplifiers. Inspired by the VU meter found on analog stereo amplifiers, this watch uses sound measurement to measure time. In addition to displaying the seconds and date via two retrograde movements, it also features a chronograph.

　How did this unusual design come about? Reservoir founder and CEO François Moreau had been mulling over the idea for a long time, but it needed to be brought to life in a way that was consistent with the brand's concept.

　Like speed, drive shaft rotations, and time, volume is measured and displayed with a thin needle attached to a scale. Because the pointer of a mechanical counter lags behind the speed of sound, it has been impossible in the audio industry to accurately capture peaks in real time.

　At the time, only experienced technicians with trained ears could read these counters, but this was the privilege of a select few, and more reliable and accurate inventions were awaited.

　In the 1940s, several American institutions collaborated to commercialize a device called the "VU meter." VU stands for "Volume Unit." It was developed to measure any electronic signal, such as the sound entering a mixer or tape recorder in a recording studio, the strength of a radio broadcast signal, the output power of an amplifier, or the sound pressure level (also known as volume or loudness) in a listening space.

　VU meters have come in many different forms since then, but they all share the same basic element: a thin needle that moves along an arcuate or linear scale. The movement of a VU meter's needle is similar to that of a retrograde clock hand; instead of rotating 360 degrees like a typical clock hand, it can swing back and forth, up and down, or left and right.

　This method of measuring sound gave Reservoir the idea for the Sonomaster Chronograph. So how do you convert the circular counters of a chronograph into retrograde hands? The two retrograde hands of this chronograph measure like the power meter or VU meter needles found on analog stereo amplifiers.

　More specifically, the inspiration came from the iconic vintage Luxman M-10 MK II hi-fi amplifier, which features two large VU meters with black needles on a cream background, with some red accents indicating the "danger zone."

　Rather than appearing horizontal, the Reservoir features two vertically arranged arched openings that unfold at 120 degrees. The scale at 9 o'clock displays the seconds. The scale runs from "0" to "30," with the second hand returning to zero every 30 seconds. The scale at 3 o'clock displays the date, running from "0" to "31," with the hand returning to its starting point at the moment the month changes.

　From the Sonomaster Chronograph collection, the all-black Sonomaster Chronograph Black Thunder will be released in spring 2023.

　This model features a 43mm stainless steel case with a brushed finish and black PVD coating. It is equipped with an automatic movement with a column wheel chronograph mechanism, a center second hand, a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock, and a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock. The movement can be viewed through the transparent case back.

　A tachymeter bezel and a domed, anti-reflective sapphire crystal complete the overall rock and roll style, while the hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova.

　If you look closely, you'll notice that the winding crown resembles the buttons on an amplifier, and the two chronograph pushers are inspired by the bass and treble knobs. The Sonomaster Chronograph is full of ingenious ideas, even down to the smallest details.