High Price SpongeBob Wristwatches Claim the Market

Nickelodeon's porous pal continues to celebrate his 10th anniversary at the hands of leading kid's brand marketer. SpongeBob, having already graced the pens and pencils of cartoon savvy merchandisers at high end retail outlets, and having already spent some quality time under the eye-piece of respected jewelry experts, again shoots for the top with another expensive, limited-edition retail deal. Announced this week, Nickelodeon/Viacom Consumer Products will partner with Nooka, Inc. to design and market high-end wristwatches featuring none other than SpongeBob SquarePants.

Inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants and its continued fame after twenty years, Nooka, Inc. will be creating two watch designs scheduled for release throughout 2009 and 2010. Nooka, a New York based design group whose designs are known for being slick, streamlined, and pricey, claims the know-how to create new wristwatch models that are "untraditional" and "reflective of the geometric themes and bold color pallets of SpongeBob SquarePants."

A popular program no doubt for its delight in the nonsensical and fancy for the fantastical, were it not a celebration of a decade on cable television SpongeBob SquarePants would otherwise have no real reason to indulge in such high-end fashion retail. Regardless, the Sponge remains the focus of countless merchandising efforts. Nooka's SpongeBob two-watch collection will officially be available for purchase in July 2009, retailing for a hefty $170 and $275 -- the watches will be available for both men and women.

There are two Nooka models of SpongeBob: the Nooka ZENH model (yellow), and the Nooka ZENV model (black). The Nooka ZENH model counts time with four horizontal bars, the first two count the hours while the third bar counts the minutes and the fourth the seconds.

The Nooka ZENV models counts time with three vertical bars and a small box with digital numbers; the first two bars from the left count the hours, the third counts the minutes, while the small box on the right-hand side marks the seconds. For each, there are white dots below indicating every five seconds (for quick reference).

Though probably not as "cutting-edge" in function as Nickelodeon and Nooka claim the designs to be, one thing is for certain: for high-end collector's already quite interested in the SpongeBob-branded eco-conscious t-shirts and real diamond jewelry [Recent A.I. news: "SpongeBob SquarePants Fancy Pants" (01/2009)], this is certainly right up their alley. Most of Nooka, Inc.'s wristwatches price similarly, around $130 or more, featuring the usual amenities: water resistance, an alarm clock, and stainless steel screw-in backing. Nooka watches are unisex.

on Nooka Inc.: Nooka (www.NOOKA.com) is a New York based design company founded by artist and designer Matthew Waldman. Nooka is most famously known for its line of innovative and unique digital wristwatches, which often integrate fine diamonds and genuine crocodile bands with its digital display. In 2009, Nooka will embark upon the next stage of our brand development with the introduction of Nooka lifestyle accessories for home and body. Nooka is a contraction of "New Yorker" as pronounced with a native New York accent.

on Nickelodeon: Nickelodeon (www.Nick.com), now in its 30th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films.

Recent Nickelodeon / SpongeBob 10th News:
"Nickelodeon Upfront 2009 Coverage" (03/2009)
"Nickelodeon Draws Up SpongeBob Documentary" (01/2009)
"After 10 Years: SpongeBob SquarePants Fancy Pants" (01/2009)