Hands-On With The Spinnaker Challenger Automatic Popeye Anchor Arms Limited Edition

Over the past few years, we have seen a ton of fun watches with famous comic characters, from the return of Disney characters on several Gérald Genta watches to famous DC characters on the dial of Audemars Piguet’s much-praised Royal Oak Concept models. Of course, there are also the famous Omega Speedmaster Snoopy models. However, I would categorize those differently due to their significant historical importance. Another fun, famous character that returns to the dials of a series of Spinnaker limited editions is Popeye. The world’s most famous cartoon sailor livens up the dial of the brand’s Anchor Arms Limited Edition. Let’s find out more.

Earlier this year, Spinnaker introduced the Popeye Bronemies Limited Edition Collection. It was a duo of Fleuss Automatic models, with the first featuring Popeye and the second featuring Bluto on the dial. For this new Anchor Arms Limited Edition series, Spinnaker uses its Challenger Automatic dive watch. Additionally, the three new models feature only Popeye on the dial. The principle of the three watches remains the same, with the muscular arms of the famous sailor indicating the hours and the minutes. You can choose from either a colorful Corncob Yellow version, a Blue Buoy model, or a blacked-out Midnight Mast variant. I had the opportunity to try out the Blue Buoy.

The story of the Spinnaker Challenger Automatic Popeye Anchor Arms Limited Edition

The story of this new Spinnaker Challenger Automatic Popeye Anchor Arms Limited Edition is simple. The world-famous sailor returns to a trio of watches. But it’s not just any watch from the Spinnaker collection. The Challenger Automatic is one of the brand’s most popular lines.

It stands out with its bold silhouette and ultra-domed sapphire crystal. The latter, in combination with Popeye on the dial and plenty of lume, makes for a fun, playful version of the Challenge Automatic.

The watches all feature a 42mm stainless steel case with a 49.5mm lug-to-lug and a 19mm thickness, including the crystal. The 300m-rated dive watch comes complete with a 20mm rubber strap, making it an excellent choice for a watch inspired by sailors. It will resist the harsh conditions at sea without any problems.

Regarding the watch’s thickness, it is only 19mm thick at its center, where the heavily domed sapphire is at its thickest. It creates a dramatic and super characteristic presence.

The dial is the fun storyteller

The three variations all feature a wave-patterned textured dial with a date window at 3 o’clock. Ours had a lively blue dial contrasted by applied hour markers filled with light pink lume. The color corresponds with the Super-LumiNova color used for the markings on the ceramic bezel insert. Taking center stage is our hero of the story, whose arms serve as the hour and minute hands. A lollipop seconds hand with an anchor counterweight effectively emphasizes the sailor theme.

With Popeye, the rich use of lume continues. Every part of his body lights up in the dark. That’s also where you find out that the lume color used for the bezel markings matches Popeye’s skin. A fun detail is that the different elements of the dial, our hero, and the bezel light up in either bright green or light blue. So get your lume torch ready, because you will be using it a lot. At least, that’s what I did when I wore the watch.

The movement and wearing experience of the Spinnaker Challenger Automatic Popeye Anchor Arms Limited Edition

Behind the steel case back, which features a special Popeye engraving, Spinnaker utilizes a Seiko NH35 caliber. This automatic movement operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a 41-hour power reserve. The caliber has a standard accuracy of -20/+40 seconds per day, and it’s a go-to choice for affordable watches because it is reliable and easy to service. Additionally, it keeps the watch’s price down for enthusiasts.

On the wrist, the Challenger Automatic Popeye Anchor Arms LE is fun. However, the flexible but thick rubber strap is rather hard to put into the keepers. The strap is of excellent quality, but it is also a bit rough or sticky. It took some getting used to, but I eventually found a way to get it into the keepers fairly easily. Once on the wrist, the bonkers profile immediately stood out. However, in all honesty, it didn’t make the watch hard to wear. Plus, this is a fun watch, so slipping it under a cuff will not necessarily be your top priority.

Final thoughts on the new Spinnaker Challenger Automatic Popeye Anchor Arms Limited Edition

The heavily domed sapphire does influence the image of Popeye, though. As you will understand, looking at the dial from an angle distorts the view significantly. But that also makes it fun because as soon as you change the angle, Popeye slowly reveals himself. Additionally, playing with a lume torch and seeing the watch light up in the dark is another playful aspect that makes this limited edition enjoyable. Other than that, the watch feels solid and ruggedly built, so it is ready for a proper adventure. But I think it’s more about the fun surprises that reveal themselves to you.

It’s this interaction with the watch that is essential to this series of three limited-edition models. If you are a fan of Popeye and could see yourself having a nice bit of fun with a watch like this, it’s available on the brand’s website for US$475. You will receive the watch on a dial-matching rubber strap and delivered in a fun Popeye-themed box. This makes it a release that will undoubtedly sell out quickly. Spinnaker will produce 350 pieces of the Corncob Yellow and Midnight Mast versions.

The brand will also produce 425 pieces of the Blue Buoy version that we had in for review. While Popeye was not necessarily one of my favorite cartoon characters, I can see the fun in this release. Especially the way that Spinnaker has cleverly chosen to bring him to life is impressive. It made me smile multiple times, and that is what releases like this should be all about, so kudos to Spinnaker!

You can buy the Spinnaker Challenger Automatic Popeye Anchor Arms Limited Edition through the brand’s official website. Let us know your thoughts on this Popeye-themed series in the comments below.

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