Glossary
Power reserve explained
watch power reserve
Power reserve is how long a fully wound mechanical watch runs without more winding or wrist motion. On modern movements it's usually 38 to 80 hours, sometimes longer.
Why the number matters
A short reserve means a weekend off the wrist may stop the watch. A longer reserve forgives rotating a few watches. The advertised figure assumes a full wind, and a watch worn lightly may never get there.
Quartz and reserve
Quartz watches run on batteries that last years, so power reserve almost always refers to mechanical watches. If you rotate watches, check whether an automatic’s reserve fits how often you wear it, or whether quartz suits you better.
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