Studio Underd0g Shows Its Might With Updated 01Series Chronograph Watches

What do you do when your motion provider jacks up its minimal order amount from 300 to 10,000? If you happen to’re microbrand phenom Studio Underd0g, you’ve acquired two selections: You discontinue your first and most profitable assortment otherwise you take a giant gulp and signal on the dotted line. Neither of these is interesting, nevertheless it occurs to manufacturers on a regular basis. To make certain, some manufacturers have needed to fully shut up store as a result of a provider immediately elevated its minimums. However Studio Underd0g has spent the final 4 years using a lovely chariot of British horological success, ornately carved with a smorgasbord starting from chocolate chip to salmon and drawn by energetic coloured mannequin strains and particular editions, so the choice was a bit simpler, and the model is now launching the third era of the Studio Underd0g 01Series Chronographs.

When founder Richard Benc was tinkering within the nook of his front room 4 years in the past, enjoying round with totally different designs for what would change into the Studio Underd0g 01Series Chronograph, the hope was that he may get the watch made for himself, and possibly if he was fortunate, different folks would need it, too. Think about Benc’s shock when the primary spherical of 300 watches bought out. And spherical after spherical, the variety of orders saved rising, with the latest spherical gathering just below 6000.

Seagull’s official discover. Merchandise 1 reads “MOQ: 10,000 items, whole amount of single or a number of varieties.”

So, when Seagull, the motion provider for the 01Series’ ST1901 actions, gave discover that it was rising its MOQ from 300 to 10,000, Benc and the model’s determination was much less of a wrestle than others could have confronted. There can be fashions from different manufacturers that should be fully discontinued or totally rethought. Certainly, there could also be manufacturers that need to shutter. Benc, although, was resolved to not need to take drastic motion and was lucky sufficient to have the numbers to justify telling Seagull, “No downside.”

It’s necessary to say right here that because the launch of the second era 01Series, all of Studio Underd0g’s watches have been assembled in Nice Britain, and that its capability sits at 1,000 watches monthly and rising. That offers the model a superb quantity of flexibility and an added layer of QC. As such, it wasn’t about to signal for 10,000 actions that may look and carry out like each different ST1901. The brand new 01 Sequence chronographs can be geared up with a particular bespoke execution referred to as the ST1901B. The ST1901B stays the identical dependable guide wind, column wheel chronograph with a 50-hour energy reserve at 21,600 vph, however now with an all-black foremost plate that creates a putting canvas in opposition to which the remainder of the elements are set, together with the newly upgraded swan neck regulator. It’s that regulator that can permit the meeting workforce to QC and regulate every motion to -10/+15 seconds per day, a big enchancment over the usual ST1901’s -15/+35 second accuracy.

In welcoming the third era of the Studio Underd0g 01Series chronographs, the model has stayed true to its roots. It’s a standard pitfall for manufacturers to fall right into a rut of releasing new dials with out truly enhancing, a lot much less releasing new fashions. For the reason that introduction of the 01Series, Studio Underd0g has launched the time-only 02Series Field and the upmarket 03Series chronographs. Even nonetheless, it didn’t see that as license to make an increasing number of 01Series dials. When you can definitely count on the occasional restricted launch sooner or later, the inspiration of the 01Series stays and can stay the 4 core fashions: Watermel0n, Mint Ch0c Chip, Go0fy Panda, and Desert Sky. Although the colorways stay the identical, the eager eye will discover that the textual content at 6 o’clock has been modified from “Mechanical | Hand-Winding” to “Assembled in | Nice Britain.”

As a substitute of resting on its laurels, the model determined it was time to enhance the 01Series case. Whereas the general design stays unchanged, the third era encompasses a slimmer midcase that brings the thickness below 13mm to 12.9mm — .7mm thinner than earlier generations. Anybody who has worn an 01Series is aware of that whereas simple on the wrist, thickness might be a difficulty for some. This discount in top will mitigate or eradicate that concern for nearly each wrist. At 38.5mm vast and 45.5mm lug-to-lug, a 12.9mm top ought to create an ideal steadiness. Additional, the crown has been enlarged to enhance grip and the winding expertise. In fact, every watch nonetheless has a sapphire crystal, 50m water resistance, and is paired with an distinctive tapered 20mm Epsom calfskin strap handmade by The Strap Tailor.

4 years and three collections in, Studio Underd0g reveals no indicators of slowing down, and the winds are blowing in its favor. For the buyer, the thinner case, lovely bespoke motion, and improved accuracy will give much more incentive to get a 01Series, however the gravity of the model’s dedication to an enormous MOQ can’t be understated. The flexibility and determination to make such a dedication reveals that Studio Underd0g is on sound footing, with confidence in itself and perception in its clients. It’s the precise sort of success you hope for a small model that began with a cool food-themed chronograph and hasn’t stopped having enjoyable since.

The pre-order window for the third era of the Studio Underd0g 01Series chronographs (and the 02Series Subject fashions) can be open on November 19, 2024, from 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM GMT (7:00 AM-4:00 PM PST/11:00 PM – 8:00 AM SGT). Pricing for all 4 fashions is about at $675 USD/£500 GBP/€600 EUR. All orders positioned throughout the window can be assured a watch, with the primary 600 orders to be delivered in December 2024 and all different orders delivered from January 2025. For extra info, please go to the Studio Underd0g website.