By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
King Features has partnered with the luxury watch brands Reservoir and LabelNoir for a licensed Popeye timepiece.
A division of Hearst, King Features Syndicate is the production and distribution company that owns the licensing rights to the Popeye brand.
The licensing deal with Reservoir and LabelNoir was negotiated by King Features’ French agent, MJA Licensing.
Established in 2017, Reservoir is a luxury watch brand that produces designs inspired by measuring instruments found in cars, planes, and boats. Reservoir products are manufactured in Switzerland and distributed through a network of high-end retailers in over 20 countries. LabelNoir is an independent Swiss company that specializes in watch customization.
“This stunning, high-end timepiece by Reservoir and LabelNoir beautifully captures the essence of Popeye,” said King Features VP, Carla Silva. “Popeye is one of the most recognizable characters in pop culture, and partnerships with quality craftsmen like Reservoir and LabelNoir strengthens his notoriety as a fashion icon.”
The Popeye-themed watch features a nubuck leather strap, a grey pin buckle, red and grey stitching, a water-resistant design, and a painted image of the Popeye character.
The licensed watch also features anti-reflective sapphire crystal and the self-winding Reservoir Calibre RSV-240.
Only 200 Reservoir x LabelNoir x Popeye watches will be available worldwide. Each watch in the collection is individually numbered and presented in a white wooden box featuring an image of characters from the Popeye brand. The product also includes a chrome-painted Popeye figurine, Popeye-themed embroidery and a certificate of authenticity.
The Popeye watches are currently available for purchase through Reservoir and LabelNoir’s ecommerce websites with an extravagant price tag of over $4,600US.