The Reservoir x LabelNoir x Popeye watch

Produced in collaboration between Reservoir and LabelNoir and featuring the famed cartoon character Popeye, this new limited edition brings a nostalgic icon to the wrist in sleek fashion.

Q&A to

– François Moreau (Founder & CEO Reservoir watch) – FM
– Emmanuel Curti (Founder Label Noir & Watchmaker) – EC

How did this collaboration between Label Noir and Reservoir come about?

FM: The first meeting with Emmanuel Curti was a pure coincidence, resulting from informal discussions within watchmaking networks but also investors. The current immediately passed and very quickly Emmanuel and I were able to feel the very strong complementarities that existed between our two brands, both in creative potential and in terms of watchmaking development.
EC: A meeting between two enthusiasts is often enough to give rise to ideas, desires and new challenges! This is what happened with Francois Moreau, the idea of a collaboration between our two houses was obvious to create new emotions through this limited edition.

Why did you choose the Popeye icon for this watch ? What was the inspiration behind this choice ?

FM: Popeye is a very popular character around the world and embodies boldness and determination, what we call ‘MAKE IT BOLD’ at RESERVOIR. He is also a trans-generational comic strip hero and I am struck by the enthusiasm he arouses among very young people and seniors alike: by way of illustration, my son, like his grandfather, absolutely wants a Popeye Reservoir x LabelBlack!
EC: A singular and emblematic character, Popeye is very much in demand by our customers during personalization, he follows in the footsteps of the watch in partnership with Black & Mortimer at Reservoir and offers visual recognition for Label Noir customers.

What are your favorite design features for the Popeye watch?

FM: As we initiated with Blake & Mortimer, the animation generated by the 240° retrograde minute hand works particularly well with the world of comics and makes the characters very… lively! This is particularly the case with Popeye whose virile and assumed energy comes out very well with the evolution of the arm over the minutes and its instantaneous return at the end of the hour!
EC: I don’t think Popeye would be as well represented as with what best characterizes him, namely his iconic pipe, his sailor suit and his gruff demeanor! The Minute hand is represented by Popeye’s arm, a fun way to depict the fighting gesture for which we know the very daring character!

How does Label Noir continue to favor uniqueness in a booming personalization sector?

EC: Official Label Noir collaborations offer unlimited creativity with watch brands and make each edition unique. The fruit of this mutual work leaves an imprint, a way of distinguishing oneself in product creation.

What do you think is the biggest challenge currently facing the watch industry?

FM: There is obviously a trend towards the development of collaborations which corresponds to a strong expectation of the market in search of limited, original and uninhibited pieces in terms of creative freedom. Proposing refreshing watchmaking offers can sometimes be a real challenge for traditional brands…
EC: Watchmaking customs are changing rapidly, collaborations between watch brands point to a trend on which we must succeed in surfing. A common force that multiplies creativity and offers its customers ever more exceptional.

In your opinion, what unites the Label Noir customer and the Reservoir customer ?

FM: Even if the customers are obviously not the same, those of LabelNoir share with those of Reservoir a strong watchmaking passion, an appetite for products that stand out from more conventional approaches and an interest in comic book watches.
EC: A personalized but affordable watch from a renowned watch brand, our respective customers will find themselves in this unique and limited offer with a preserved brand image.

Can we expect other collaborations between Label Noir and Reservoir in the future?

FM: The universe of Popeye is very rich and we have already thought about extending the range with the creation of new series inspired by the world of the famous sailor… Why not an Olive Oil one day ?
EC: Nothing is excluded!