Hot on the heels of the time-only 1902 Petite Seconde, Schwarz Etienne has unveiled the 1902 Réserve de Marche – a more elaborate version of the watch that adds a power reserve indicator and a traditional hand-wound movement. Still housed in a highly wearable 39 mm titanium case, the new 1902 Réserve de Marche is available in two versions, with either a gold or silver dial.

The 1902 Réserve de Marche in silver

Fan-shaped power reserve indicator

The 1902 Petite Seconde is a simple and elegant three-hand watch. But for those who like its design and want a touch more flair, look no further than the 1902 Réserve de Marche.

What’s added on the Réserve de Marche is, of course, the power reserve indicator – and it’s one executed with good taste. The fan-shaped indicator between one and two o’clock breaks up the dial’s symmetry and adds visual interest. It’s large, easy to read, and injects a hint of whimsy into the design while remaining practical, a trait that’s especially useful in a manually wound watch.

The 1902 Réserve de Marche in gold

The whimsical touch doesn’t stop there. The dial now features Arabic numerals for the hour markers, and the typography is carefully chosen – modern yet sleek – giving the watch a minimalist but playful look that complements the dial’s asymmetrical layout.

The rest of the dial remains faithful to the 1902 Petite Seconde, with plenty of fine details to take in. There are multiple layers of texture divided by circular rings, along with polished, applied markers at the quarters.

Dial details of the 1902 Réserve de Marche

Elegant case and movement

More often than not a good design is let down by a case that’s not properly sized, but that’s not the case here. The proportions of the 1902 Réserve de Marche live up to the elegance of its dial layout. At just 39 mm wide and 10.9 mm tall, it’s a pleasant size to wear, made even more comfortable by its light weight since the case is made of titanium rather than the typical steel.

One reason the case can remain so slim is the hand-wound movement within. The MSE 311.00 is Schwarz Etienne’s signature in-house calibre, and it also forms the basis for the micro-rotor movement found in the 1902 Petite Seconde. In this version both barrels are used for power storage instead of one being replaced by a rotor, resulting in an impressive 120-hour or five-day power reserve, an especially appealing feature in a hand-wound watch.

The movement layout is classical, in keeping with the rest of the watch, with multiple finger bridges reminiscent of pocket watches from the past. This design language has been part of Schwarz Etienne’s identity since its early days as a movement manufacturer and supplier, long before it ventured into making complete watches. It is satisfying to see the brand returning to its early roots in this respect.

The hand-wound MSE 311.00

Tech Specs:  Schwarz Etienne 1902 Reserve de Marche
Movement: MSE 311.00; manual winding; 120 hours power reserve; 3 Hz or 21,600 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and power reserve indicator
Case: 39 mm x 10.9 mm; titanium; water resistant to 50 m
Strap: Black alligator strap with titanium pin buckle
Availability: Maison Luxe,  Dubai Mall (Ground Floor)
Limited edition: No