
Over the previous a number of years character-themed watches have seen a serious resurgence within the fanatic group, 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 fashionable 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 collection thus far goals to launch a brand new, aggressive blacked-out tackle current 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 Sequence idea, giving these acquainted characters a brand new rock-and-roll design sensibility with out shedding any of their playful appeal.
Each the UNDONE Popeye Mono and the UNDONE Brutus Mono start with matte black DLC-coated 316L stainless-steel circumstances. The Brutus Mono takes the bolder and extra fashionable method of the pair, measuring in at 43mm-wide and a hefty 16.5mm-thick with a rounded modern tackle conventional dive watch cues. The whole lot in regards to 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 photographs, the Brutus Mono’s case does showcase some solidly nuanced visible element, notably by means of the raised polished numerals of the dive bezel and the signed show caseback. In contrast, 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 photographs, with a easily tapering chamfer on the sporty lugs and an unguarded octagonal crown. Probably the most spectacular function of this case, nonetheless, is its engraved zirconium dioxide ceramic bezel insert. Ceramics of any type are a rarity at this worth level, and UNDONE’s full dive scale seems crisp and moody in preliminary photographs. Like its counterpart, the Popeye Mono makes use of a signed show caseback with a frosted impact in preliminary photographs. Though each fashions are actually diver-inspired, there’s a marked distinction in functionality between the 2. The bigger, extra fashionable 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 line with the blacked-out minimal philosophy of its new Monochrome Sequence, each the UNDONE Popeye Mono and the Brutus Mono simplify their dial designs as a lot as potential. This new black-and-white look matches notably properly with these characters, hearkening again to the prewar black-and-white Fleischer Studios movie cartoons that made Popeye a world star. Each dials use the identical printed dive indices in shiny 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 potential on the characters themselves in photographs, 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 previously and provides them a sharper, extra visually punchy edge.
UNDONE powers each the Popeye Mono and the Brutus Mono with the dependable Seiko NH35A computerized 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 computerized actions to shine by means of in photographs with out revealing an excessive amount of of their undecorated natures. By way of efficiency, the NH35A is pretty common for the value, providing a 42 hour energy reserve at a 21,600 bph beat price together with an unspectacular (however probably conservative) acknowledged accuracy of +15/-15 seconds per day. To finish the monochrome appears 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 supply a extra aggressive and fashion-forward tackle the fashionable character watch. Solely 300 examples of the UNDONE Popeye Mono shall be made, whereas the UNDONE Brutus Mono is additional restricted to solely 100 examples. As well as, each watches shall 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 info, please go to the model’s web site.
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