UNDONE x Popeye: Reimagining the World’s Most Popular Sailor

UNDONE x Popeye:

Reimagining the World’s Most Popular Sailor

The world's most popular, wisecracking sailor man may be "strong to the finish," but he shows no signs of nearing the finish line any time soon and is now set to make a comeback.

Despite it being an intended one-off character, the popularity of Popeye has not faltered since the character's creation in 1929 by cartoonist Elzie Crisler Segar. From the moment he walked into the comic strip, "The Thimble Theatre," with his famous "Ja think I'm a cowboy?" line, the beloved adventures of this fun-filled ageless icon have not failed to entertain us generations over generations.

He has captured the hearts of millions on big screens and small while encouraging us to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield. He's tough. He's got grit. He's always saying "I Y'am What I Y'am" and is known for his rugged individualism.

Created in partnership with King Features, UNDONE presents a set of 2 limited edition timepieces: "El Capitan" and "The Sailorman" to celebrate the ongoing voyage of Popeye the Sailor Man and for you to relive the childhood memories of your favourite cartoon character.

Each design is limited to 300 pieces worldwide. “El Capitan” Popeye himself stands proud in the middle of the dial in his well-loved gruffy, one-eye squinting, corn-cob pipe tooting demeanour, with his comically muscular arms serving as the functioning hours and minutes hands.

Inspired by the overall vintage aesthetic of the "Marine Nationale", an iconic design commissioned by the French Navy, the El Capitan is a playful, contemporary take on the original classic dive watch. Evident in its navy blue colour-way, unique block-shaped indices and beige diver function numerals, El Capitan encapsulates an ultimate homage to the timeless wristwatches used by mariners in the 1950s-1970s.

In Complement, UNDONE Introduces our first-ever 316L flat 3-link "Oyster" style stainless steel bracelet strap, complete with our signature quick-release technology, a rare but welcomed convenience for bracelets of this kind.

All facets of the watch combined exude a specific vintage nautical sensibility and are perfectly in tune with Popeye's renowned identity as a sailor.

“The Sailorman” The distinctive parachute braided strap of The Sailorman is a colourful, whimsical recreation of the Marine Nationale strap seen on vintage dive watches, innovatively combining Popeye's iconic red and black colour scheme into the historical design elements for an intricate aesthetic.

The history could be traced down to the late 1950s when the French Navy supplied watch "heads" without straps. In the absence of said straps, Frogmen and members of the Marine Nationale would have to make straps fashioned from elastic parachute braid and parachute hardware. The unique diver strap seen throughout the horology brings forth what is a part of the time-honoured look of the MN watch - a comfy slip-on and rugged durability, now dedicated to history buffs and military fans. The Sailorman is also complemented by a modernized California dial layout, with a hollow half Arabic that is unlike our other Cali dials and a half-Roman numerical design.

PACKAGING

Remember how Popeye quickly possesses a bursting physique and superhuman strength after the swift ingestion of that can of spinach?

This spinach-guzzling cartoon sailor has the ability to yuk-yuk-yuk through every dangerous ordeal he faced. Smooth seas do not make skilful sailors.

UNDONE has created the novel Spinach tin-can style packaging for both El Capitan and The Sailorman, offering a last-minute 'fresh' inspiration that comes in handy for you to face your challenges head-on.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Housing the El Capitan and The Sailorman is a 316L stainless steel case, with the latter coated in satin black PVD.

The case measures in at 40mm diameter and 48mm lug-to-lug, with the height coming in at 15mm from the case back to the top of the double-domed Lexan Polycarbonate crystal, giving it a curvaceous side profile. The bi-directional rotating bezel uses a K1 glass insert, as a nod to the vintage divers of yesteryears. The 100m water resistance is ensured by the screw-down red-tinted, glass caseback, allowing for professional marine activity.

Finishing touches include Popeye and his iconic anchor tattoo engraved on the caseback.

Powering the El Capitan and The Sailorman are the trusted NH35A Automatic Winding Mechanism; with a 42-hour power reserve and tested to +/-15 secs p/day accuracy.

“El Capitan” RRP Price: $479 USD

“The Sailorman” RRP Price: $399 USD