Hands-On With The New Brellum Pandial Power Reserve Chronometer LE
During the past few years, we’ve covered many of Brellum’s new model introductions. The small brand produces tiny runs of its watches. While that may frustrate some, the company’s owner, Sébastien Muller, is known for communicating directly with customers. Plus, Brellum always brings a steady supply of releases each year. Today’s Pandial Power Reserve Chronometer LE is the latest announcement, and we had a chance to go hands-on with this chronograph.
It’s 2025, and that means we’ve witnessed several trends. The conversation about rising prices continues, translating to buyers searching for value. Also, watch diameters continue to shrink. That’s great news for yours truly, but there are plenty of interested collectors who pine for larger pieces. Some may say that such watches are easy to find due to brands like Breitling and TAG Heuer still offering beefier options. However, not everyone can or wants to spend €7,000–10,000. This is where Brellum comes in with a model like the Pandial Power Reserve Chronometer LE.
The Brellum Pandial Power Reserve Chronometer LE
The newest Brellum comes in a familiar 43mm by 51.5mm stainless steel case. Yes, this is a large watch! But like all models from the brand, the Pandial Power Reserve has a case design with lugs that flow down nicely toward the wrist. Furthermore, sharp chamfers make the lugs look slimmer, helping to reduce the visual mass. Like past releases, this model offers a useful 100m depth rating. To exploit this, it’s best to wear it on the five-row steel bracelet. However, the included black curved-end calfskin strap dresses up the watch nicely.
A significant number of complications
As its name suggests, the Pandial Power Reserve has a white dial with black sub-registers. A matching external black tachymeter bezel insert creates a sharp look. Details like arrow-tipped baton hands, red-tipped central chronograph hand, and applied indices give off Daytona vibes. But wait, like an old Universal Geneve Tri-Compax, a fourth sub-dial peers back at onlookers.
In addition to running seconds, a 30-minute totalizer, and a 12-hour counter, the watch has an indicator for the power reserve. Let’s also remember the black-on-white date window within the 12-hour sub-dial. There’s no denying that this is a lot of information, but it’s all legible and pleasingly symmetrical.
The other nicety is that this watch is a relative beacon in the dark. Blue-green Super-LumiNova is applied to the central hour and minute hands and the indexes. A nice surprise is that each white sub-dial hand is actually coated in the luminous material.
A heavily optioned Valjoux 7750
Brellum likes to equip its watches with quality Valjoux (ETA) or La Joux-Perret movements. For the Pandial Power Reserve, it’s the former that finds a home within this case. The BR-750RM is visible through a sapphire display and shows off a 4N-gold-coated and skeletonized rotor. Underneath, we see perlage and Côtes de Genève. The 26-jewel automatic caliber has a frequency of 28,800vph and 60 hours of power reserve. Importantly, it is a COSC-certified chronometer and includes the testing certificate.
A classy option on the wrist
While there’s no escaping from the fact that the Pandial Power Reserve is more suitable for those with medium to large wrists, the watch wears its heft well. Much like a Speedmaster, the external bezel serves to reduce the visual impact. Then, the group of four sub-dials also has a shrinking effect. Regarding the thickness, a total of 15.9mm might sound concerning, but the mid-case is 11.7mm. The rest is comprised of a domed crystal and a display case back.
On the wrist, though, the bracelet aids comfort and wearability. Brellum provides a bracelet that easily handles the watch’s weight without feeling bulky. Relatively slim links and end links in line with the lug ends also help. Finally, the push-button folding clasp is nicely concealed and doesn’t annoy while working at a desk.
The Brellum Pandial Power Reserve Chronometer LE is worth a look
For those interested in a high-spec chronograph with great finishing and commanding measurements, the new Brellum Pandial Power Reserve could be the answer. With a price of CHF 3,125 in Switzerland and CHF 2,890 for export, there’s a lot to like here. Of course, the watch won’t be available forever due to a small run of just 33 individually numbered pieces. Therefore, it’s best to head to the Brellum site and find out more about the watch. All in all, the brand has produced another chronograph with a classic colorway and equally appealing design. Let us know your thoughts on this latest release.
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