Our Favorite Throuple: UNDONE Releases Limited-Edition Popeye & Friends Collection
Are you into forearms? Look no further than bespoke watchmaker UNDONE's latest collaboration, inspired by the iconic cartoon characters of Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Brutus.
The spinach-eating seaman, created by artist E.C. Segar, premiered in 1919 as a comic strip character, later evolving into an animated series followed by the 1980 live-action film starring Robin Williams Shelley Duvall.
Pop culture fans have long sought out such collectible timepieces, which have sold at auction for thousands of dollars.
UNDONE's latest offering builds upon last year's sold-out collection, influenced by the timeless appeal of character watches and vintage military designs. Whether you imagine Popeye, and Olive Oyl ending up together or perhaps a "love is love" union of the sailor with his bullish buddy, the fun and functional designs are sure to spark conversation.
"Destro" Popeye Limited Edition
Calling all lefties! UNDONE's newest Popeye design is ideal for those who wear a watch on their right wrist, with the crown positioned at 9:00 instead of 3. Inspired by the Marine Nationale's (the French National Navy) military dive watches with a hint of nostalgia, Popeye's
comically muscular forearms serve as the functioning hours and minutes hands.
Housing the "Destro" Popeye Limited Edition watch is a bronze case that patinates over time. The case measures 40mm diameter and 48�mm lug-to-lug, with the height coming in at 15�mm from the clear case back to the top of the double-domed Lexan Polycarbonate crystal. The 100�m water resistance is ensured by the screw-down glass case back, allowing for professional marine activities. Finishing touches include Popeye's name signed off on the case back. Powering the watch is a trusted Japanese TMI NH35A Automatic Winding Mechanism (supplied by SEIKO Manufacturing (H.K.) Limited), with a 42-hour power reserve and tested to +/-15 secs p/day accuracy. This watch is limited to only 250 pieces. ($480)
Aqua Brutus Limited Edition
Popeye's love rival and nemesis Brutus (also known as Bluto's twin) shares the limelight in this limited collection. The watch features UNDONE's first half-transparent dial. The mechanical movement beneath the dial is revealed to showcase the "heartbeat" of time, which controls Brutus' arms to tell the hours and minutes. Protecting the watch from rust and wear is a PVD coated stainless steel case in elegant blue. Brutus is complete with a rubber strap designed to absorb impact and resist corrosive chemicals.
The Aqua Brutus Limited Edition watch is housed within a PVD coated 316L stainless steel case. The case measures at 43�mm with a thickness of 16.5�mm, including crystal. Protecting the dial is a sapphire crystal lens that is scratch-resistant, crisply transparent, and generally impervious to knocks.
The watch boasts a water resistance of 200�m, perfect for water activities. Brutus' name is signed off on the glass case back as a finishing touch. Powering the watch is a trusted Japanese TMI NH35A Automatic Winding Mechanism (supplied by SEIKO Manufacturing (H.K.) Limited), with a 42-hour power reserve and tested to +/-15 secs p/day accuracy. This watch is limited to only 150 pieces. ($580)
34 Olive Limited Edition
Who other than the lovely Olive Oyl could make Popeye and Brutus fall head over heels (except maybe each other)? Set on a mother-of-pearl (the iridescent lining found on the inside of a shell) dial, Olive Oyl appears in her classic red blouse and black skirt, with both her arms swiveling to help tell time. In keeping the dial clean and visually strong, the second hand has been removed, so the dial can also be appreciated like a painting.
The elegant 34 Olive Limited Edition watch is 34�mm in diameter and comes in at the height of 11�mm, from case back to the top of the hardened domed K1 crystal. The 316L stainless steel case houses a Japanese TMI VH61 Quartz movement (supplied by SEIKO Manufacturing (H.K.) Limited). The watch is water-resistant up to 30�m. This watch is limited to only 250 pieces. ($295)
Established in 2014, UNDONE combines traditional watchmaking techniques with groundbreaking technology by carefully curating components and developing one-of-a-kind designs for tailor-made timepieces. Learn more at UNDONE.com.