POPEYE X UNDONE: Reimagining the World’s Most Popular Sailor

 The world’s most popular sailor man may be “strong to the finish,” but he shows no signs of slowing down any time soon!

Created in partnership with King Features Syndicate, home to some of the world’s most beloved entertainment characters, UNDONE, the world’s leading bespoke wristwatch label, presents a set of two  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 watch design is limited to 300 pieces worldwide.

 

“El Captian”

The “El Capitan” design features Popeye himself standing proud in the middle of the dial with his well-loved gruffy, one-eye squinting, corn-cob pipe tooting demeanour, and his comically muscular arms serving as the functioning hour and minute 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 the first-ever 316L flat 3-link “Oyster” style stainless steel bracelet strap, complete with a 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 ah-gah-gah-gah-gah through every dangerous ordeal he faced. Smooth seas do not make skillful 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.

Full Press Pack and additional assets can be found in the following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dycm3zrhwaf5ipl/AAA-aFEHkfnVR5q59kz7Dstfa?dl=0

 

About UNDONE:

Established in 2014, UNDONE is the world’s leading bespoke wristwatch label, where premium watchmaking is about the individual. The team of industry veterans behind the company believe that watches go far beyond functional fashion – that watches tell stories. With their customizable, made- to-order timepieces, wearers become narrators. Every watch is unique, brought to life using traditional techniques and today’s technology; components are carefully curated, designs are developed in-house, and all products are tailor-made, tested, and true to the UNDONE philosophy: that individuality matters.