Why would you customize a Rolex with a colored image of Popeye the Sailorman on the dial? We have no idea. That’s what the Bamford Watch Department and DrX Romanelli did, though, in their latest collaboration: the Popeye Yachtmaster 2015.
Officially licensed by Popeye owners King Features, it features a full body image of the classic cartoon sailor on the dial, with his bulging, spinach-powered arms serving as the watch’s actual time-telling hands. Kinda like the old plastic Popeye kiddie watches of yesteryear (I remember vividly because I had one of those), except on an honest-to-goodness Rolex. Again, we don’t know why, but if you always wanted a luxury adult version of those, well, here you go.
The Bamford Watch Department x DrX Romanelli Popeye Yachtmaster 2015 sports an all-gray color scheme, with various shades of the color adorning everything from the watch case to the bracelet to various elements on the dial. Well, all-gray other than Popeye, of course, who comes in the full color version, rather than the black-and-white original. According to the product page, it was a color contrast they decided on to ensure the character, rather than the rest of the watch, became the center of attention.
A military-grade titanium coating has been applied on the entire timepiece, increasing both its durability and water resistance. Everything else about the watch is classic Yacht-Master, complete with the bi-directional rotating bezel, large hour indicators, and Rolex 2235 automatic movement.
Available now in a limited run of 29 units, the Bamford Watch Department x DrX Romanelli Popeye Yachtmaster 2015 is priced at £20,500.