In the heart of Asia on September 26, 1946, Colonel Olrik is preparing to lead an armada of bombers to set the capitals of the free world ablaze… “By Jove !!!”, in England, Captain Francis Blake and Professor Philip Mortimer are determined to lead the resistance! – First piece of the collaboration between RESERVOIR and DARGAUD, publisher of the Blake and Mortimer series, the RESERVOIR Blake and Mortimer “By Jove !!!” takes up the graphic universe of Edgar P. Jacobs down to the smallest detail. It is Francis Blake who indicates the minutes with his arm, the hour and minute digits using the lettering of the comic strip.
On September 26, 2021, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the appearance of the characters Blake and Mortimer. It was September 26, 1946, in the first issue of the weekly Tintin. Even if the success is immediate, neither the young readers, nor the author, a close collaborator of Hergé, Edgar P. Jacobs, imagine only the two characters – Francis Blake, the handsome officer with the physique of a young pioneer, and Philip Mortimer, the iconoclastic scholar with the red beard -, will become cult and their adventures will continue to fascinate young and old for decades. They will sell nearly 15 million copies.
In 1987, the two heroes will even outlive their inventor, thanks to the talents of big names in the genre: Yves Sente, André Juillard, Peter van Dongen, Ted Benoit, Jean Van Hamme … The one Hergé nicknamed “the watchmaker craftsman” as Yves Schlirf, director of the Blake and Mortimer editions, reminds us, “because of his love for perfection and precision”, would certainly be honored with the nod to history: the creation for the 75th anniversary of his heroes of ‘a watch with their effigy by RESERVOIR.
“Blake and Mortimer are” old-fashioned “heroes: they throw themselves headlong into the adventure to save the world” specifies François Moreau (Founder and CEO RESERVOIR) who has a particular fondness for these two heroes whose adventures fascinated him since his childhood. The spirit of adventure of Blake and Mortimer, their daring, their determination, their selflessness too, made them his true heroes.
A passion nourished by the graphic universe of Jacobs whose features were admired by the great Hergé himself, who even jealous him a little, while being his friend?! A trait of rare elegance and accuracy of which Francis Blake is obviously the best example, but no secondary character is overlooked. Edgar P. Jacobs has been in fashion design, and he knows what style means.
On the first RESERVOIR watch, the dial of which it shares with Mortimer, it is with a very distinguished movement of the arm that it indicates the minutes. Blake’s arm indicates the passing of time, while at his feet, in a window, the hours pass.
Equipped with the same mechanical calibre as the other RESERVOIR collections, the watch is distinguished by the absence of an indication of the power reserve at the bottom of the dial to leave more room for the design. Two characters in action in a composition as emblematic as it is dynamic, completed by a bubble using Mortimer’s favorite expression: “By Jove!!! The digits for the minutes and hours also reflect the handwriting of the albums. It is produced in high quality serigraphy; the characters stand out as if in relief on the dial.
The 316 L steel case with brushed finishes with a diameter of 41.5 mm for total comfort when worn, reinforces the vintage look of the piece, mounted on a black leather strap fitted with a folding clasp. The case back is engraved with a design of the swordfish and the words “So British since 1946”. The box is borrowed from the Longbridge, RESERVOIR‘s most vintage collection. A box that is used by the house for its prestigious Longbridge Rose Gold (18k rose gold) and Nightfall (palladium) collections.
The RESERVOIR Blake and Mortimer “By Jove!!!” will be available to on September 26, for deliveries from November 19, 2021, which is the release date of the last opus of the adventures of our two heroes “The Last Swordfish”.
On this date, RESERVOIR will be offering an exceptional limited series of 75 pieces featuring a drawing of the mysterious flying machine… For François-Marie Neycensas (CMO and Partner Reservoir), “This partnership with DARGAUD, the publishing house of Blake and Mortimer, should continue with other creations, as the universe of Jacobs lends itself naturally to the one of RESERVOIR, knowing that no luxury watch brand had exploited so far ”.
RESERVOIR Blake & Mortimer “By Jove!!!”
Anniversary watch commemorating the 75th anniversary of the inaugural adventure of “Blake and Mortimer”, the first graphic novel designed and scripted by Edgar P. Jacobs: “The secret of the swordfish”.
Technical Specifications
–41.5mm, 316L stainless steel case with brushed finish
–Black dial with “Black & Mortimer” pattern
–Self-winding mechanical movement, 37 hours power reserve
–Complications: Retrograde minute, jumping Hour
–Patented proprietary 124-pieces module on ETA 2824-2 caliber
– Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
– Engraved case-back, screw-down crown, Water-resistant 5ATM
– Black calf leather strap with stainless steel butterfly folding clasp
– Quick release spring bars for easy changing of strap
Reference RSV04.BM/133
Price & Availability
2’990 euros TTC | $ 2’990 MSRP excl. Taxes | £ 2’800 VAT incl.
Available for delivery in February 2022
Online store and network of more than 70 boutiques at exclusive retailers in more than 20 countries
About « Blake & Mortimer »
A mythical symbol of quality mainstream comics, the series has become over the years an indisputable bestseller, the first 22 albums of the “Blake & Mortimer” series having sold 15+ million copies. The author, E.P. Jacobs, who was close to Hergé, liked the excessiveness which takes its full dimension in scientific inventions, including the famous Swordfish. We can also mention an extraordinary gallery of characters such as Septimus, Olrik or Miloch … The fascination exerted by this series remains intact. As proof, a success that cannot be denied for the talented writers of the series: from Jean Van Hamme to Yves Sente on the screenplay, from André Juillard to Teun Berserik & Peter van Dongen on the drawing …
The series chronicles the adventures of Captain Francis Blake, a former Royal Air Force pilot who became director of the MI5, the British counterintelligence service, and his friend Professor Philip Mortimer, a specialist in nuclear physics and one of the UK’s most eminent scientists. The two heroes often find themselves confronted with their nemesis, Colonel Olrik, a world-class criminal who considers only his personal interests.
Find out more: https://www.dargaud.com/bd/blake-mortimer/blake-mortimer
About RESERVOIR
French watchmaking house with Swiss Made collections
Inspired by measuring instruments, RESERVOIR watches reflect the functionality and aesthetics of meters, manometers, or gauges from three worlds: automotive, aviation and marine. These mechanical instruments have been painstakingly built by craftsmen passionate about measurement and time. Also, RESERVOIR watches echo a time when precision instruments were at the service of mankind – a time when the pulse quickened, and adrenaline flowed through the veins of the driver or pilot as he undertook. trips that required courage and high performance. A RESERVOIR watch on the wrist tells these stories that embody fundamental truths that stir the mind, characterized by an intensity of feeling and assertiveness.
RESERVOIR watches innovate thanks to a radical time display, by combining three horological complications: the retrograde 240 ° minute recalls the RPM, the jumping hour recalls the mileage counter, and the power reserve display echoes the fuel gauges. All models are fitted with a proprietary and patented bespoke watchmaking module of 124 components associated with an ETA-2824 movement, assembled in La-Chaux-De-Fonds in Switzerland by a renowned watchmaker.
The assortment is structured around seven collections: GT Tour, Supercharged, Longbridge, Battlefield (Cars), Airfight (Aeronautics), Tiefenmesser and Hydrosphere (Marine). Distributed in more than 20 countries – including the USA, the UK, France, Japan, the Middle East and China – online and through a prestigious network of more than 70 high-end stores and specialist resellers, at a carefully priced segment of 3,850 euros including tax. Presented annually at renowned international watch fairs – including Baselworld in Switzerland, Couture in the USA or SIAR in Mexico – the novelties have received exceptional reviews from the world media and have been nominated three times for Grand Prix de d’Horlogerie de Genève in Switzerland (GPHG) in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Find out more : https://www.reservoir-watch.com/
Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Pinterest / LinkedIn: @reservoirwatch
#reservoirwatch