Studio Underd0g continues to establish themselves as a quirky force in the industry, refining their field-oriented 02SERIES with new colours and movements.
If there’s any microbrand that’s managed to speed run its way into becoming an industry icon, Britain’s Studio Underd0g might just fit the bill. Founded in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand’s focus on high-quality craftsmanship, fair accessibility, and whimsical design was a breath of fresh air in the then self-serious watch industry. In their own unique way, they helped pave the path for the rise of microbrand watchmaking, as well as the industry’s shift towards more fun and ambitious aesthetics.
While the 01SERIES chronographs set the standard for Studio Underd0g in 2021, they would soon be followed by a completely different breed of watch in 2023. I am, of course, talking about the field-oriented 02SERIES release. While the market has had time to acclimate to their presence in the Studio Underd0g catalogue, it’s not something the brand plans to rest on. Thus, they’ve revealed the next generation of 02SERIES watches, complete with a series of meaningful updates and new colours.
Far Afield
Sized at 37.5mm in case diameter with a 46mm lug-to-lug, the Studio Underd0g 02SERIES Gen 2 already benefits from a highly wearable case profile. Where it differs from its original frame, however, is in its thickness: 11.5mm, down from 12mm.
It’s a small change on paper, but one that translates massively when worn on the wrist. Keep in mind, though, that the total case thickness also includes the domed sapphire crystal. Without it, the watch measures just 9.4mm thick, meaning it will wear even thinner than the new dimensions suggest.
Each 02SERIES watch comes complete on a leather strap courtesy of The Strap Tailor, a watch strap company based in Buckinghamshire. Each strap was selected to tonally match the dial colours of each watch, but if you don’t like it, that’s no problem. Each one features interchangeability, allowing you to swap straps at will. Complete with a sturdy 100m of water resistance, the 02SERIES from Studio Underd0g is every bit the field watch as any on the market.
We All Float
But while the specifications are considered standard fare, the aesthetic that the British brand brings to the table is anything but. This should hardly be unfamiliar territory for Studio Underd0g fans, as the brand is known for incorporating pops of colour and unique design cues into its dial layouts.
The 02SERIES is no exception, using a multi-layer sapphire sandwich dial. Each watch includes a coloured base dial with a sapphire crystal top dial featuring printed numerals and a minute track. This creates the impression that these elements are floating above the dial, with the separated layers delivering their own intriguing visuals.
Of the four models, two of the Gen 1 watches make their return, each featuring a fully lumed lower dial. First is The Pink Lemonade, which utilises a yellow-to-pink dégradé with green lume, while the tongue-in-cheek Steffany Blue offers blue lume from a light-blue dial. The two new colours, however, offer their own unique flavours. The Nightshade uses a purple dial alongside orange printed accents, while the Red L0lly uses… well, I’m sure you can guess.
Across all four dials, the dial construction has also been significantly revised. Both the hands and dial text have been rebalanced and refined, while the minute track has been moved slightly inwards for improved legibility. But perhaps the most important fix for detail-oriented watch lovers is the exposed screws atop the dial. All of them are now perfectly aligned, resolving a point of contention that has existed in the 02SERIES since its conception.
Manual Labour Of Love
Turning the watch around, Studio Underd0g’s commitment to the field watch aesthetic remains apparent. No movement is visible thanks to the enclosed caseback, which is decorated with an embossed jellyfish that nods towards the 02SERIES’ design inspiration. Within, however, beats the Sellita Cal. SW200-2 M Power+, replacing the original Cal. SW210-1.
Introduced by Sellita in early 2026, the new manual-wind movement features a redesigned barrel that extends the power reserve by almost an entire day. Where the Cal. SW210-1 models could run uninterrupted for around 41 hours, the Cal. SW200-2 M Power+ significantly improves on this with 63 hours.
What’s interesting to me is how the inclusion of this movement underscores the brand’s commitment to serious, accessible watchmaking. Among the first, if not the first, to implement the new movement into their watches, Studio Underd0g continues to show how committed they are to the watch industry, all without losing the identity that got them to such heights in the first place.
Initial Thoughts
Since getting into watches, I’ve always rooted for Studio Underd0g. The quirky British microbrand was perhaps one of the first watchmakers to truly harness the digital space, and their watches went absolutely viral because of it. Despite this, they were never content with being a one-hit wonder.
Instead, they strived to carve out a genuine space for themselves in the vast watch world. And thanks to their latest move to in-house assembly with the D0ghouse, collaborations with major independents like H. Moser & Cie., and even copying counterfeit versions of their own designs, it’s safe to say they have done so.
To that effect, the 02SERIES Gen 2 collection represents the latest pinnacle the brand has reached, as well as a victory lap declaring its astronomical success as an industry staple. Combining a highly wearable case size, a groundbreaking new movement, and undeniable aesthetic charm, Studio Underd0g has effectively moved beyond the ‘hopeful microbrand’ moniker into becoming a tour de force of the watch world. Yet, they do so without ever forgetting the passion that took them there in the first place.
References & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | 02NIBU (Nightshade) 02RLB (Red L0lly) 02PLCB (Pink Lemonade) 02SBMI (Steffany Blue) |
| Dimensions | 37.5mm case diameter x 46mm lug-to-lug x 11.5mm thickness |
| Case | Stainless steel |
| Dial | Multi-layer sapphire Sunray-brushed purple with orange accents (Nightshade) Sunray-brushed red (Red L0lly) Yellow-pink dégradé lume (Pink Lemonade) Light blue lume (Steffany Blue) |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Closed, embossed |
| Movement | Manual wind Sellita Cal. Sellita SW200-2 M Power+ |
| Power Reserve | 63h |
| Beat Rate | 4Hz / 28,800VpH |
| Water Resistance | 100m / 10bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Interchangeable brown / black / blue leather strap with steel pin buckle |