Bamford Watch Department Partners With Franck Muller For Latest Popeye Creation

Bamford Watch Department Partners With Franck Muller For Latest Popeye Creation

The latest Bamford Watch Department (BWD) designed Popeye watch housed in the Franck Muller Vanguard© case is a real show stopper. 

Available in a black or rose gold case the Franck Muller Vanguard© has a captivating shape with clean and innovative aesthetics. Collaborating with BWD and featuring Popeye on the dial with Popeye’s distinctively muscled forearms as the hour and minute hands, the aesthetics become even stronger. In addition, Swee’Pea crawls around the dial as the Seconds hand. 

The Popeye figure on the dial with the distinctive appliqué numerals which have been meticulously hand-polished and hand-brushed, coordinating and giving a flowing colour effect to the entire watch. The strap is cleverly integrated inside the case in order to maintain and extend the curved aspect of the timepiece.

“I am so delighted with this second project made in collaboration with Bamford Watch Department. The first being the sold out Snoopy Crazy Hours launched last year. Today we present the powerfully strong Popeye by Bamford and Franck Muller. Our collaboration of the distinctive creation of BWD with the Master of Complications results in eye catching wristwatches, one in a black PVD case and the other in pink gold, both extremely eye-catching. Not only do these watches hold all the DNA of Popeye and Franck Muller but its creative packaging box will enhance the beauty and uniqueness of such a collectible watch. The watch is also delivered with a Popeye cartoon, printed on micro-fibre cloth, and includes the headquarters of both Bamford and Watchland. We’re very excited with this new collaboration and we look forward to many more to come.”

Nicholas Rudaz, CEO, Franck Muller 

Included in the unique packaging is an original comic strip which tells the tale of Popeye’s travels to London and Geneva, exclusively created to celebrate the collaboration by cartoonist, Randy Millholland. 

Popeye is owned by King Feature Syndicate, a unit of Hearst and home to some of the world’s most popular entertainment characters. An underdog with bulging forearms, a mean uppercut and a love of canned spinach, Popeye always fights for what’s right.

“As a watch collector, collaborating with Franck Muller, who is the epitome of class and style, is a dream come true. Popeye and BWD have a long history together, but this latest partnership with Franck Muller to deliver the Vanguard© elevates Popeye’s position as a fashion icon to a whole new level.”

Jarred Goro, VP, North American Licensing, King Features 

Available exclusively online from Bamford Watch Department and at select Franck Muller stockists around the world. 

Franck Muller x BWD Popeye Vanguard© Black Steel – RRP £12,500 – Limited to 60 pieces
Franck Muller x BWD Popeye Vanguard© Rose Gold – RRP £21,500 – Limited to 25 pieces

Hands On At The Hive

It was a delight to see the new Franck Muller x BWD Popeye Vanguard© ‘up-close and personal’ at The Hive, BWD’s Mayfair HQ. Along with our host, George Bamford, we were joined by Nicholas Rudaz, CEO of Franck Muller and other esteemed guests from the watch world.

L to R: Andrew Canter (MrWatchMaster), Nicholas Rudaz (Franck Muller), George Bamford (BWD)

The watch sits beautifully on the wrist due to the ergonomic Vanguard© case. The Popeye character dial is well designed and crafted enabling effortless time-telling.

The watch comes in its own ‘tin of spinach’ which has been wonderfully engineered and reflects the care and attention that has gone into developing this irreverent timepiece.

There were even Franck Muller chocolates that were made at the Swiss Manufacture.

We enjoyed an excellent afternoon which was a great opportunity to see both versions of the limited edition Franck Muller x BWD Popeye Vanguard© which I am sure won’t be around for long.

Original Comic Strip Included by Randy Millholland

Technical Specifications:

Vanguard Collection

Distinguished by a sporty tonneau shape, the Vanguard™ calls in for clean and futuristic aesthetics witha one-of-a kind design. With refined taste, inserts on both sides of the case tastefully match the color onthe numerals and strap for utmost elegance and style. The strap is cleverly integrated inside the case inorder to maintain and extend the curved aspect of the timepiece, the result being a stunning timepiecewith a unique design.

Reference: V 45 SC POPEYE NR BR (NR)

Case: Vanguard case. Grade-2 titanium. Hand brushed. Black PVD coating. Water resistant up to 30 meters. Width: 44 mm x Length: 53.7 mm x Thickness: 12.7 mm. Black inserts on both sides of the case
Sapphire crystal

Dial: Applique numerals meticulously painted and applied by hand. Exclusive Popeye’s dial. Hours and minutes hands representing Popeye’s arms. Seconds hand representing Popeye’s baby, Swee’Pea. Black microblasted dial

Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds

Instructions: Winding shaft with 2 positions: 1. Winding. 2. Time setting

Movement: MVT FM 800. Self-winding movement with bidirectional rotor system. Power reserve of 42 hours. 165 components. 21 jewels. Diameter: Ø 25.60 mm. Thickness: 3.75 mm. Balance wheel frequency set at 28,800 alternations per hour

Movement Decoration: Côtes de Genève and brushing soleil papier on the bridges and the rotor. Circular graining on the two sides of the main plate Chamfering of the bridges. 24k gold bath and rhodium plating of the components. 24k gold finish on the written engravings. Circular brushing of the rotor ball bearing. Brushing soleil papier on the barrel Polishing at 45° and brushing soleil of the ratchet. Polished and blued screws.

Bracelet: Hand sewn rubber and calfskin strap

Buckle: Black PVD coating. Brushed folding buckle

Reference: V 45 SC POPEYE BR (NR)

Case: Vanguard case. 18k rose gold. Hand brushed. Water resistant up to 30 meters. Width: 44 mm x Length: 53.7 mm x Thickness: 12.7 mm. Black inserts on both sides of the case. Sapphire crystal

Dial: Applique numerals meticulously painted and applied by hand. Exclusive Popeye’s dial. Hours and minutes hands representing Popeye’s arms. Seconds hand representing Popeye’s baby, Swee’Pea. Black microblasted dial

Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds

Instructions: Winding shaft with 2 positions: 1. Winding. 2. Time setting

Movement: MVT FM 800. Self-winding movement with bidirectional rotor system. Power reserve of 42 hours. 165 components. 21 jewels. Diameter: Ø 25.60 mm. Thickness: 3.75 mm. Balance wheel frequency set at 28,800 alternations per hour

Movement Decoration: Côtes de Genève and brushing soleil papier on the bridges and the rotor. Circular graining on the two sides of the main plate Chamfering of the bridges. 24k gold bath and rhodium plating of the components. 24k gold finish on the written engravings. Circular brushing of the rotor ball bearing. Brushing soleil papier on the barrel Polishing at 45° and brushing soleil of the ratchet. Polished and blued screws.

Bracelet: Hand sewn rubber and calfskin strap

Buckle: Brushed 18k rose gold buckle

For more information please visit Bamford Watch Department

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