The 02SERIES came at just the right time for Studio Underd0g when it launched back in 2023. While the 01SERIES had garnered a lot of attention, fears were starting to grow that Studio Underd0g might be a one trick pony with only a single style of watch to their name. The unveiling of a field watch housing a Swiss mechanical movement and featuring an innovative sapphire and lume dial helped push the brand over to become a true British darling. Now, a few years later, the 02SERIES is back with the introduction of the Studio Underd0g 02SERIES Gen2, which we’ve been hands-on with for a review.
There are four watches in the Gen2 line-up with two returning colourways and two brand new ones. The Pink Lem0nade and Steffany Blue from the Gen1 series are back while the Full M0on and Midnight have been replaced by the Red L0lly and Nightshade. In terms of colours and composition, the two original colourways are the same as before with their full lume displays while the new colour schemes are based on the Manhattan.
That means instead of full lume displays they use a sunray brushed texture as a base and a tinted sapphire crystal to really make their colours pop. The Red L0lly is particularly intense in its crimson fumé while the Nightshade is a touch darker in blue with red accents. However, while only two of the colourways are new, all four of the Studio Underd0g 02SERIES Gen2 dials have been updated compared to the Gen1.
The railway minute track has been pulled inwards towards the centre of the dial, and the rest of the display has been recalibrated to accommodate for that, including shorter hands. A key reason for these changes is to improve legibility. Where the 02Series uses a domed sapphire crystal, the old positioning of the minute scale meant that it appeared distorted through normal viewing angles, which shouldn’t be an issue with its new position on the dial.
Additionally, where there used to be three inscriptions on the dial, now there are only two – creating a much cleaner appearance. The “Assembled in Great Britain” inscription has been moved up from where it used to flank the 6 o’clock numeral to just below the central hands while the “Mechanical Hand-Winding” inscription that used to occupy that position has been removed.
Another benefit of the updated display is that there’s more room beneath the sapphire crystal and so Studio Underd0g have been able to tighten up tolerances and reduce the overall thickness to 11.5mm, down from 12mm. That’s paired with a 37.5mm diameter and 100m water resistance. This is also only possible now that assembly is performed fully in-house at the D0ghouse. On the wrist, it’s a welcome update but not a radical difference from the Gen1 and actually the most impactful change is not to the case itself, but what’s housed inside.
The Studio Underd0g 02SERIES Gen2 is powered by the Sellita SW200-2 M Power+, which features an improved 63-hour power reserve compared to the SW210’s 42-hour reserve used in the Gen1. That’s an increase of 21 hours and makes it properly weekend proof. Plus, as it’s a manual-winding calibre, it’s much more forgiving for winding intervals.
All four watches are presented on tapered leather straps produced by The Strap Tailor, keeping the focus on British crafts. The Pink Lem0nade has a coffee bean suede, Steffany Blue on midnight black suede, Red L0lly on black pueblo and lastly Nightshade on burgundy gaucho. They all used quick-change spring bars letting you swap them out with ease if you want to add a personal touch.
The Studio Underd0g 02SERIES Gen2 is priced at £875, which is £75 more than the Gen1 at £800. The upgraded movement and improved display explain that increase with ease. It’s also far from the most expensive model in the Studio Underd0g range with the 03SERIES at £1,750 and their recent collaboration with Christopher Ward at £2,995. All of which is to say that I think the watch is still really good value for a mechanical watch with a distinctive and visually impressive display.
Price and Specs:
More details at Studio Underd0g.
