Reservoir has teamed up with LabelNoir on its latest release, a Popeye-inspired comic-driven timepiece.
Introduced to the world on January 17, 1929, by E.C. Segar in the “Thimble Theatre” comic series, Popeye from his debut has always been a rough-and-tumble, spinach-loving underdog.
True to himself as a mean-muggin’ man with a heart of gold, the sailor became one of the most popular characters of 20th century through comic strips, radio shows, television programs, and eventually both animated and live-action films.
Together with Reservoir and LabelNoir, the iconic character has developed into a timepiece wjocj thoughtfully balances functionality and aesthetic appeal.
In the Reservoir x LabelNoir x Popeye watch, the brand once more introduces a watch which is bold by design, being purpose built for those who share the brand’s passion for action and creativity.
The brand says Popeye was a natural pick for the collaboration, with the underdog character ever ready to act on a moment’s notice to protect what’s right and those closest to him. Spinach in hand, Popeye is never afraid to stick out and take creative action when the time requires, and just like Reservoir, the sailor is who he is and he knows it.
On the wrist, the 41.5mm titanium watch recalls classic Reservoir styles, with slightly curved lugs and a signature knurling on its unique crown placing the model in the fantastic canon of the brand.
The case itself is clad in an under-the-radar grey DLC— the color scheme courtesy of LabelNoir— with a satin finish used throughout that adds to the model’s bold style.
While this bold new Reservoir isn’t explicitly a sports watch, the dark look, satin, finish, and importantly 5 ATM or 50m of water resistance help make the timepiece a capable companion for the everyday, with a grey nubuck leather strap with red & grey stitching and a matching grey DLC pin buckle adding that feeling.
Beneath the anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the highlight of the Reservoir model is on display. Making smart use of a grey dial, a picture of Popeye in full charge is hand painted upon it.
Faithful touches of color in the image help make it quickly striking against its dark background, with bright white accenting in the comic-style indices assisting in the high legibility for the novelty.
In classic Reservoir fashion, the dial features a 240° retrograde configuration, with the minutes displayed upon three-fourths of the surface and the running hours indicated in a prominent view via a bordered digital display at the comic icon’s feet.
Popeye’s massive arm indicates the running minutes, sweeping from “00” to “60” and then snapping back again at the top of each hour.
Inside the new limited-edition model is the Reservoir Calibre RSV-240, a next-generation automatic movement introduced by the watchmaker in the spring of 2022.
Produced in association with the Swiss engine manufacture TELOS, the self-winding mechanism makes use of a LJP-G100 base with a patented, proprietary 113-pieces module, with it optimized for Reservoir watches and the maker’s unique style of timekeeping.
Available now from Reservoir-watch.com, it retails for £4,350.
