Three years ago, Richard Benc and Studio Underd0g put out the original 02Series and it quietly became one of the most talked-about microbrand watches of its era. It borrowed the spirit of the Dirty Dozen military field watches, layered on some genuinely inventive dial construction, and wrapped it in color palettes nobody else was brave enough to try. People loved it. It sold out. You probably know someone who owns one.
Now there's a second generation, the Studio Underd0g 02Series Gen 2, and Benc hasn't just swapped out the dials and called it a day. There are real, structural changes here, the kind that address the honest criticisms of the first run. The case is different. The movement is different. And yes, there are new colorways, because of course there are.
Here's what actually changed and whether it matters.
What's New in the Case and Dial
The Gen 2 gets a reshaped case with more refined lugs. The original's proportions were solid but a touch blocky, and the new version slims things down just enough to feel more intentional on the wrist without losing that chunky field-watch character. The crown has been repositioned slightly, too, which improves wearability under a cuff.
The layered dial construction, the thing that made the original special, is still here. Studio Underd0g builds depth into these dials by stacking different materials and finishes, so you get a three-dimensional quality that flat printed dials simply can't replicate. Gen 2 expands the colorway lineup, and the new options are strong. There's real restraint in the palette choices this time, they're bold without being garish.
Studio Underd0g is one of the only brands at this price point that treats dial design as an engineering problem, not just a graphics exercise. The layered construction on the 02Series Gen 2 still looks like nothing else in the sub-$500 space.
The Movement Upgrade
This is the change that matters most for long-term owners. The Gen 2 moves to a higher-spec automatic movement with improved accuracy and a longer power reserve compared to the original. For a watch that positions itself as a genuine daily wearer, that's not a small thing. Field watches get used hard. You want something reliable ticking inside.
Studio Underd0g hasn't gone into exhaustive detail on the exact caliber specs across all coverage, but the upgrade is consistent across the lineup. It's a meaningful step up, not just a spec-sheet talking point.
The Specs at a Glance
- Design DNA: Dirty Dozen-inspired field watch with Studio Underd0g's signature layered dial construction
- Case: Refined second-generation shape with repositioned crown and updated lug profile
- Dial: Multi-layer construction across several new colorways, time-only display
- Movement: Upgraded automatic caliber with improved accuracy and power reserve over Gen 1
- Brand origin: British microbrand, direct-to-consumer, limited production runs
Who This Watch Is For
If you already own a Gen 1, you're not going to feel left behind, but you will notice what Benc fixed. The Gen 2 is simply a more mature object. It wears better. The movement inspires more confidence. The new dials are worth the look even if you think you're happy with your original.
If you missed the first generation, the 02Series Gen 2 is the easy recommendation. The field watch category is crowded with safe, muted options. Studio Underd0g does something genuinely different, and the execution has always been better than the playful branding might lead you to expect. These are real mechanical watches with considered design, not novelty items.
The price sits in Studio Underd0g's established range, keeping it accessible relative to what you're actually getting in terms of dial craft and finishing. Watch for the colorways to sell through quickly, that's been the pattern.
How It Stacks Up
Comparing the 02Series Gen 2 to other field watches in its class is a bit of an odd exercise, because most of its direct competitors are playing a completely different aesthetic game. The Hamilton Khaki Field is the obvious reference point for the shape and function, but that watch doesn't look like this. Seiko's field-adjacent options are more subdued. Tudor's Black Bay P01 is in another price bracket entirely.
The real competition for the 02Series Gen 2 is other ambitious microbrands doing interesting things with dials, brands like Ming or Fears at higher price points, or Kurono Tokyo for a different kind of craft. Studio Underd0g holds its own in that company, which is saying something.
The 02Series Gen 2 is a confident second act. It doesn't reinvent the formula, it tightens it. If the original put Studio Underd0g on the map, this one cements them there.
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