Over the previous a number of years character-themed watches have seen a significant resurgence within the fanatic neighborhood, going from kitschy retro throwbacks to real vogue statements, and far of the success of those new character watches comes all the way down to design philosophy. These trendy character watches aren’t a lot watches with a personality slapped on them as they’re watches with character, designed from the bottom as much as match the feel and appear of the fictional character they evoke. UNDONE has been on the forefront of this character watch revolution for years, bringing to life timepieces impressed by fictional characters as disparate as Astro Boy and Batman. The model’s newest, most unique sequence to this point goals to launch a brand new, aggressive blacked-out tackle present designs, beginning with a pair of watches impressed by beloved cartoon sailor Popeye. The restricted version UNDONE Popeye Mono and UNDONE Brutus Mono are a fittingly fashionable launch for its new Monochrome Collection idea, giving these acquainted characters a brand new rock-and-roll design sensibility with out dropping any of their playful allure.
Each the UNDONE Popeye Mono and the UNDONE Brutus Mono start with matte black DLC-coated 316L stainless-steel instances. The Brutus Mono takes the bolder and extra trendy method of the pair, measuring in at 43mm-wide and a hefty 16.5mm-thick with a rounded up to date tackle conventional dive watch cues. All the things concerning the case design, from the curving broad crown guards to the tall knurled “pistol grip” fringe of the dive bezel, aptly displays the barrel-chested and imposing stature of Popeye’s longtime nemesis Brutus (or Bluto, relying on the model). Though undeniably daring and beefy in preliminary pictures, the Brutus Mono’s case does showcase some solidly nuanced visible element, notably by the raised polished numerals of the dive bezel and the signed show caseback. Against this, the Popeye Mono takes a slimmer, extra conventional method, measuring in at a balanced 40mm-wide. The Popeye Mono’s case is flowing and pores and skin diver-esque in preliminary pictures, with a easily tapering chamfer on the sporty lugs and an unguarded octagonal crown. Essentially the most spectacular characteristic of this case, nevertheless, is its engraved zirconium dioxide ceramic bezel insert. Ceramics of any sort are a rarity at this worth level, and UNDONE’s full dive scale seems crisp and moody in preliminary pictures. Like its counterpart, the Popeye Mono makes use of a signed show caseback with a frosted impact in preliminary pictures. Though each fashions are definitely diver-inspired, there’s a marked distinction in functionality between the 2. The bigger, extra trendy Brutus Mono is dive-ready at a hefty 300 meters of water resistance, however the smaller Popeye Mono is rated for a decidedly much less spectacular 100 meters.
In step with the blacked-out minimal philosophy of its new Monochrome Collection, each the UNDONE Popeye Mono and the Brutus Mono simplify their dial designs as a lot as attainable. This new black-and-white look matches notably effectively with these characters, hearkening again to the prewar black-and-white Fleischer Studios movie cartoons that made Popeye a global star. Each dials use the identical printed dive indices in brilliant optic white, complemented by daring outer minutes tracks and closely grained dial surfaces in matte concrete grey. Dial textual content is equally minimal, restricted to a well-hidden UNDONE signature embedded within the 6 o’clock part of the minutes tracks. This pared-back method retains as a lot focus as attainable on the characters themselves in pictures, permitting the traditional Popeye and Brutus line artwork to return to the fore. The dearth of shade on these traditional prewar cartoon designs each grounds them solidly prior to now and offers them a sharper, extra visually punchy edge.
UNDONE powers each the Popeye Mono and the Brutus Mono with the dependable Seiko NH35A automated motion. Whereas ending on the NH35A is decidedly workmanlike, UNDONE’s use of a frosted show window for each watches permits a number of the visible complexity of those automated actions to shine by in pictures with out revealing an excessive amount of of their undecorated natures. When it comes to efficiency, the NH35A is pretty common for the worth, providing a 42 hour energy reserve at a 21,600 bph beat charge together with an unspectacular (however seemingly conservative) said accuracy of +15/-15 seconds per day. To finish the monochrome seems to be of those watches, UNDONE pairs each fashions with black strap designs. For the Brutus Mono, the model opts for a minimalist black rubber strap, whereas the Popeye Mono takes its extra vintage-inspired case design a step additional with a black DLC-coated oyster-style bracelet in matte 316L stainless-steel.
With edgier, blacked-out designs and minimal displays, the restricted version UNDONE Popeye Mono and UNDONE Brutus Mono provide a extra aggressive and fashion-forward tackle the trendy character watch. Solely 300 examples of the UNDONE Popeye Mono will probably be made, whereas the UNDONE Brutus Mono is additional restricted to solely 100 examples. As well as, each watches will probably be restricted to solely 50 examples per area – for instance, as soon as 50 items of every mannequin have been offered in america, these watches will solely be obtainable exterior the nation. The UNDONE Popeye Mono and UNDONE Brutus Mono can be found now for buy at MSRPs of $599 and $699, respectively. For extra data, please go to the brand’s website.
