What We Know
Not even two months on from the initial launch of the updated 02Series Gen 2, Studio Underd0g is jumping headfirst back into limited editions with the Special Edition 02Series Mantis. The headline here is a bright green, full-lume dial, which Studio Underd0g claims is the brightest to ever grace a watch from the brand, but it’s also worth reiterating some of the changes that the brand brought to this watch earlier in the summer.
The biggest change separating the 02Series Gen 1 and Gen 2 is the new case used for the latter. Upsized by half a millimeter to 37.5mm, the case has also been thinned out and now measures just 11.5mm rather than 12mm, and a full 2.1mm of that comes from the domed sapphire crystal. With lug-to-lug holding steady at 46mm, the updated case finds itself squarely in the Goldilocks zone for many collectors.
There are also some meaningful technical updates in the new watch. Tolerances are tighter, and the SW210 movement has been replaced by the SW200-2 M (modified to remove the automatic winding system), which brings with it an accuracy of ±7 seconds per day and 63 hours of power reserve. The whole watch is assembled in-house at the D0ghouse, Studio Underd0g’s newly established workshop, and is an evolution of the Horologium.
All that said, the real reason to buy this watch is the dial. Like most watches from Studio Underd0g, the 02Series Mantis uses a sapphire sandwich dial construction, with a transparent sapphire disc printed with the minute track, hour markers, and branding of the watch affixed with two screws to the base dial, which receives the color and lume treatment that gives the watch its character. In this case, that comes in the form of a light-to-dark green gradient inspired by the coloring of the praying mantis, which reveals its fully lumed treatment when the sun disappears and the lights go out.
The watch itself is fitted with an “Herb”- colored Strap Tailor suede strap, and the watch will be available to order over a 9-hour window on September 1st (from 3pm to 12am BST, 10am to 7pm EDT). An allocation will also be available for in-person sale at the D0ghouse. Pricing is set at $1200.
What We Think
It’s been impressive to see the way Studio Underd0g has been completely embraced by the enthusiast community over the last few years. Limited editions yield lines around the block, resell values have — at times — been borderline absurd, and the attention has meant that Studio Underd0g has been able to really push the product they’re delivering; the watches the brand is putting out now are a noticeable step forward.
That said, the watches themselves can be a bit black licorice for some, depending on concept and colorway. Over the years, I’ve had a bit of a hard time predicting which executions would resonate with audiences (I never could have anticipated the success of the pizza watches), but this limited release feels as close to core as you can get from the brand, and I’m glad to see them adopting a sales model for this release that should allow just about everyone who wants one of these to get one.
The Basics
Brand: Studio Underd0g
Model: 02Series Gen 2 Mantis
Diameter: 37.5mm
Thickness: 11.5mm
Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
Dial Color: “Mantis” Green Gradient
Indexes: Printed on elevated sapphire disc.
Lume: Yes, full lume dial treatment and lumed hands.
Water Resistance: 10 ATM
Strap/Bracelet: Moss green leather strap by The Strap Tailor
The Movement
Caliber: Sellita SW200-2 M
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds
Power Reserve: 63 hours
Winding: Manual Winding
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Pricing & Availability
Price: $1,200 (£875)
Availability: Open order window from 10am EDT–7pm EDT (3pm BST–12am BST)
Limited Edition: Limited production, all orders placed during 9 hour order window will be fulfilled.
For more, click here.
