What started life during the first Covid-19 lockdown, Studio Underd0g has gone from being one man's passion project, to one of the most talked about and sought after Microbrands on the market. Founder, Richard Benc who studied product design at university had spent the previous 6 years designing watches for other businesses. Realising he had outgrown this, Richard needed to branch out and develop his own unique watch. In March of 2020 the Underd0g was born.

 

Richard bench founder of studio underd0g

Founder of Studio Underd0g, Richard Benc.

 

How It Started

Richards first launch, which sold out almost immediately, and included surprisingly unique and colourful designs as well as having very playful names, such as: Watermel0n, Go0fy Panda, Mint Ch0c Chip and Desert Sky. A combination that he believes struck a cord with collectors due to their fun and playful take on what is normally a very serious industry.

Today we see the introduction of the time-limited Strawberries & Cream. A design which started as a joke in the comments section of an Instagram post from famed watch and tennis journalist Miguel Seabra. An early advocate for Studio Underd0g, Miguel continues to be an engaged member of the Studio Underd0g community. This new colour way is inspired by Miguel's vision of a perfect day, spent soaking up the British summertime sunshine whilst watching a thrilling game of tennis and enjoying a healthy portion of strawberries and cream!

 

studio underd0g strawberries and cream on a mesh bracelet

 

Assembled In Great Britain

Over the past few years we have seen a resurgence of British brands in the horological space and Studio Underd0g is proud to be helping grow this sector. All Studio Underd0g watches, including the Strawberries and Cream are assembled in Great Britain with all quality control inspections being carried out independently by Horologium before being shipped out from the UK. The process includes demagnetisation, accuracy / rate review in 3 positions and regulation wherever necessary. A report card is also included with every watch.

As well as partnering with Horologium, Studio Underd0g has collaborated with David Richards, AKA; The Strap Tailor to offer a beautifully supple handmade Epsom Calfskin strap as part of this new release. This luxurious strap is made with a unique multi step tanning process that takes almost a month to complete. The lining is Haas Zermatt which is comfortable and resistant to sweat and moisture. Miguel is a self-confessed strapaholic, so Richard felt it was only right to include two strap options. As well as the Epsom Calfskin strap there is a robust and tapered Milanese mesh bracelet included with every watch.

 

Studio underd0g strawberries and cream with the strap tailor strap

 

The Design

Studio Underd0g have used modern machining techniques to emulate a mid-century silhouette for this vintage inspired case - a pairing which works well with its unique and modern dial design. Richard tells us that the varied size of the sub-dials offsets the branding and movement details, a feature which allows the chronograph seconds hand to pass through uninterrupted. Characteristics Richard describes as idiosyncratic, yet balanced.

Underneath the fresh coarse dégradé dial you will find the mechanical hand-winding Seagull calibre ST-1901; originally a Swiss Venus calibre 175 before the tooling and technical drawings were sold to the Chinese Airforce in the early 1960's. With a beat rate of  21,600vph and 50 hours of power reserve with the chronograph function off, you can view this beautiful movement with its Swan Neck Regulator and blued screws via the sapphire case back.

 

seagull calibre st1901

 

How To Pre-Order

As mentioned at the start of this article, the Strawberries & Cream is time-limited and will be made available for pre-order from the 9th - 16th of August 2022 via the Studio Underd0g website and in-store at James Porter & Son. Once the 7-day pre-order window has closed, the order page will not be re-opened and James Porter & Son will stop taking orders in-store and the watch will not be produced again. Richard explained to us that this method is to improve the checkout experience for customers as well as ensuring the watches go to enthusiasts and not to flippers.

 

Richard bench wearing the studio underd0g strawberries and cream

 

The Strawberries & Cream will retail for £575.00 / €600.00 / $675.00 (including free worldwide shipping) and comes with a limited 2-year warranty in partnership with Horologium.

 

 

The Specifications

Reference: Strawberries & Cream (01SCBE).

Case: Stainless Steel.

Glass: Double domed sapphire crystal (front and back).

Diameter: 38.5mm

Thickness: 13.6mm (including sapphire crystal).

Lug-to-lug: 44.5mm

Water Resistance: 5 ATM

Dial: 2-layer with a satin sandblasted base dial and coarse dégradé top dial.

Hands: Black with Super-LumiNova C3

Strap: 20mm tapered to 16mm Epsom Calfskin strap by The Strap Tailor / 20mm tapered to 16mm Milanese mesh bracelet.

 

The Movement

Calibre: Seagull manual winding ST-1901 (with Swan Neck Regulator).

Power Reserve: 50 Hours (Chrono off) / 45 hours (Chrono on).

Attributes: Beat rate 21,600 / Clockwise winding system / Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph and tachymeter.

 

Pricing & Availability

Price: £575.00 / €600.00 / $675.00 (Free worldwide shipping).

Availability: Available to pre-order from the 9th - 16th of August 2022 from Studio Underd0g and in-store at James Porter & Son.

Learn more about Studio Underd0g here.