Spinnaker Challenger Popeye – Corncob Yellow Review
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish my watch looked like it’s fuelled by spinach and childhood nostalgia,” then congratulations — your moment has arrived. The Spinnaker Challenger Popeye in Corncob Yellow is a full-on burst of colour, character and cartoon muscle-flexing, wrapped around a legitimately capable dive watch. It’s loud, it’s daft, it’s brilliant.
A Face Only a Sailor Could Love
First impressions? This thing is yellow. Not pastel lemon drizzle. Not tasteful mustard. We’re talking full blast cartoon sunshine. It’s a hue that basically walks into the room before you do.
Front and centre is Popeye himself, proudly flexing his anchor-tattooed arms — which, of course, double as the hour and minute hands. It’s a clever bit of whimsy that somehow still remains perfectly functional. The wave-textured dial gives it a bit of depth, and the anchor-tipped seconds hand ties the whole nautical fantasy together.
This isn’t subtle. It doesn’t want to be. And honestly? Good.
Built Like a Seafaring Brick
For all its comic charm, the Challenger Popeye is properly specced:
42mm stainless steel case
49.5mm lug-to-lug
A towering 19mm thick (mostly thanks to a sapphire dome that could double as a goldfish bowl)
Automatic Seiko NH35 movement
300m water resistance
Swiss Newlite lume
20mm matching yellow rubber strap
Limited to 350 pieces
That sapphire crystal is the star of the show. It rises up like a bubble from a vintage diving helmet, distorting the dial at the edges and giving everything a slightly dreamy, underwater feel. It also ensures this watch is about as discreet as a foghorn at midnight.
Despite the height, it wears decently thanks to the compact lug-to-lug. It’s still top-heavy, mind you — but that just adds character. Think of it as Popeye sitting proudly on your wrist, spinach tin in hand.
A Proper Diver… That Happens To Be a Cartoon
Here’s the trick Spinnaker pulls off: this isn’t a novelty watch pretending to be a diver. It’s a diver that happens to be having a really good time.
The 300m water resistance is absolutely legit. The bezel has a satisfying click (even if it leans slightly on the stiff side). And the lume hits hard when freshly charged — Popeye’s glowing arms at night are a delight — though it does settle down quicker than some premium divers.
The NH35 movement keeps things simple, reliable and service-friendly. It won’t wow the horological purists, but it won’t let you down either.
Boxed Like a Saturday Morning Cartoon
Spinnaker went all-in on packaging. Expect bright artwork, a nostalgic wink, and even a limited-edition card shaped like Popeye’s beloved can of spinach. It’s a proper collector’s bundle that makes unboxing feel like opening a retro toy.
Where It Flexes (Popeye Style)
A genuinely fun, joyful design
Proper 300m dive capability
Huge domed sapphire with bags of character
Reliable NH35 movement
Limited edition of 350
Excellent value for the spec
Where It Falters (More Bluto Than Popeye)
The 19mm thickness won’t be for everyone
A little top-heavy on the wrist
Lume fades faster than premium divers
Bezel could be smoother
Zero chance of slipping under a shirt cuff — unless your shirts are tailored like sails
Winding Things Up
The Spinnaker Challenger Popeye Corncob Yellow is one of those rare watches that manages to be both utterly ridiculous and surprisingly competent. It’s a serious diver wearing a comic-strip disguise — and honestly, the world needs more of that.
If you love watches with personality, if you enjoy limited editions that don’t take themselves too seriously, or if Popeye was your childhood Saturday morning hero, this is a cracking piece to add to your collection.
