If you think of a cartoon character taking residence up on a dial, Popeye is probably not the one that comes to mind. That doesn’t mean the rough-and-tumble Sailor Man isn’t up to the task! In fact, if we’re going to put him on a watch, why not in a spot that is not on the water? That’s what’s happening with the Reservoir Popeye Camel.
Reservoir Popeye Camel: what is it?
If you’re familiar with Reservoir watches, you know that they like to create watches with a single hand. That hand indicates the minutes, and then there’s a jumping hour display on the dial. So, that lends itself to a cartoon character hand-and-arm to make that indication. Reservoir has used Popeye before (we wrote about it here), so it’s not a surprise to see him on this model.
For this watch, it’s actually a collaboration with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, a luxury watch and jewelry retailer in the UAE. They’ve been around since 1950, so this is an established company working to make up their own special edition.
The dial
Fittingly – for a watch featuring a cartoon character – the dial is vibrant and colorful. Just as Popeye is instantly recognizable, so to is his setting. You’re immediately put in mind of the desert, with undulating dunes. Curiously, there is a palm tree there, so perhaps there’s an oasis just “off dial” somewhere. Popeye appears to be directing the non-plussed camel forward, though once you’re in the first half of the hour, he’ll be wanting to go the other way.
The movement
On the exhibition caseback of the Reservoir Popeye Camel, you’ve got Popeye showing up again. Behind him, you’ve got a clear view of the signed rotor that is part of the RSV-240 movement. This movement was first introduced in their Kanister line two years ago, so it should have any kinks worked out by now. Along with the retrograde minutes and jumping hour, you also net a tidy 56-hour power reserve. To accomplish that, the Swiss-made movement runs at 28,800 vph (aka 4 Hz). So, though the kinetic movement on the dial side is sedate, that balance wheel is moving at quite a clip (4 oscillations per second).
Wrapping things up
To pull it all together, the Reservoir Popeye Camel features a steel case with a gold PVD finish, paired to brown leather strap. The strap choice fits the palette well, and belies the fact that watch carries just a 5ATM WR rating. So, just remember to take it off before you dip your hands into the water of the oasis, yeah? If you want to pick one of these up, you’ll be travelling: they’re only available at the Amhed Seddiqi & Sons stores in the Middle East. Only 100 are being made, and they’re going to be sold for $5,300. seddiqi.com / reservoir-watch.com
Reservoir Popeye Camel Tech Specs
- Ref : RSV04.PO/133.DE
- CASE
- 41.5mm, PVD Gold 316L Stainless Steel Case
- Hand & Dial with Painted “Popeye” Pattern
- Golden Index
- Screw-down Crown, Water-resistant 5ATM
- Open case-back, with exclusive “Popeye” character glass paint application
- Anti-reflective Sapphire Crystal
- MOVEMENT
- Retrograde Minute, Jumping Hour
- Caliber RSV-240: Manufacture Self-winding Mechanical Movement, Patented proprietary 113-pieces module (LJP G100 base)
- 56-Hour Power Reserve (not shown on the dial)
- 28,800 alt./h
- Swiss Made
- STRAP
- Brown Nubuck Leather Strap with Brown Stitching, Blue Wax Side, 20 mm Width
- Stainless Steel Pin Buckle
- BOX
- White Wooden Box with an image of “The Popeye Family” (© 2022 King Features Syndicate ™ Hearst Holdings, Inc.)
- Additional Special Embroidery with “Popeye”
- PRICE: 4’900 €TTC, 4’600 £ incl taxes, 5’300 $ w/o taxes MSRP, 4’900 CHF incl taxes
- AVAILABILITY
- Limited Edition 100 pieces
- Available to order exclusively at Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, luxury stores in the Middle East
