This next Studio Underd0g release is in partnership with Massena Lab, and the novelty is called Champagne & Caviar.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Studio Underd0g x Massena Lab Champagne & Caviar
The Massena Lab x Studio Underd0g Champagne & Caviar retails at £1750 / USD $2200 / €1800 / CAD $2750 / AUD $3500 / AED 8400 / CHF 1800. Free shipping worldwide is included. Available via underd0g.com.
Commentary
We have always found Massena Lab’s watches to be rather interesting. Not only because William Massena and I go way back to the early 1990s in our time with Timezone.com. So take my commentary with a pinch of salt. William is a true blue collector, and has always had some crazy ideas brewing. And now that he has the vehicle of Massena Lab, these ideas begin to take shape.
And this latest interpretation is as interesting as the others. And as he teams up with another crazy creative fellow in the form of Richard Benc, who has always been playing around the theme of food in his watch creations. The Series 03 is a nod to the Underd0g brand, with the Series 01 is a bicompex chronograph equipped with the handwound Seagull ST-1901 movement, the Series 02 is a three hand field watch, with a Sellita movement and the Series 02 is a monopusher chronograph with the Sellita SW510M handwound movement. As this is a Series 03 watch by Underd0g, it is equipped with the SW510 M, which had its first appearance with the Underd0g collaboration H. Moser & Cie. It is quite a nice movement, with a 63 hour power reserve, a custom Côte de Genèveand a ruthénium anthracite finished bridge.
The dial features the oversized counter at 3 o’clock which enthusiasts usually call the “Big Eye”. This counter looking like an open pot of caviar, with each egg illustrated by a bubble with inky black and green. The rest of the dial is finished in a champagne colour, but also features a fumé finish, so that it actually has some semblance of bubbles making its way up the glass. The keen eye would also note that the counterweight for the chronograph seconds hands looks like a bottle of champagne.
Interesting collaboration, to say the least. And at this price point, nothing not to like at this cheeky poke at the luxury lifestyle promoted by the watchmaking maisons.
Release information
Something fishy has been going on at Studio Underd0g’s assembly facility in Maidenhead; a quaint British market town. William Massena has been lending his discerning taste to a creation that celebrates craftsmanship, indulgence, and a touch of mischief.
A Watch Worth Its Salt
The Studio Underd0g x Massena LAB 03SERIES Champagne & Caviar The Studio Underd0g x Massena LAB 03SERIES Champagne & Caviar is a limited-edition monopusher chronograph which celebrates all things extraordinary and excessive, with a design that pairs the subtle shimmer of champagne tones with the inky richness of caviar.
By employing modern machining techniques, the oversized “big-eye” sub-dial at three o’clock has been artfully reimagined to resemble a (generously portioned) pot of caviar, a subtle yet striking detail that defines the design. The varied size of the sub-dials is visually offset by the co-branding, allowing the chronograph seconds hand to pass through uninterrupted. Idiosyncratic, yet balanced. A keen eye will notice the distinct silhouette of a champagne bottle at the base of the chronograph hand, sweeping smoothly over the shimmering champagne dial. The watch is paired with a beautifully supple handmade pebble-grain calfskin strap, courtesy of The Strap Tailor.
Housed within the 3-part case construction is the Swiss Sellita SW510 M, building on Studio Underd0g’s first use of this movement in last year’s Project Passion collaboration with H. Moser & Cie. This mono-pusher, hand-winding calibre features 63 hours of power reserve, and a custom Côte de Genève, ruthénium anthracite finished bridge exclusively made for Studio Underd0g.
Quotes from the brands
“William is the collector’s collector, a true OG whose passion extends far beyond trends or headlines. We first met in early 2023, and over time my admiration for his eye and experience has only deepened. Traveling together through China last year gave me a front-row seat to his perspective on watches and culture which helped shape what this project ultimately became.”
Richard Benc, Founder Studio Underd0g
“I’ve admired Studio Underd0g, and Richard’s keen eye for details, since the brand’s early days. Take the chronograph hand—we’ve reimagined its base to look like a champagne bottle. It’s a small detail that many collectors might overlook, but it’s there thanks to Studio Underd0g’s deliberate and playful approach to design. Richard and his team aren’t afraid to have a bit of fun with serious watchmaking and to challenge convention, and that’s what has always drawn me to the brand they have created.”
William Massena, Founder Massena Lab
Studio Underd0g x Massena Lab Champagne & Caviar Specifications
Model
SKUs: Studio Underd0g x Massena LAB 03SERIES Champagne & Caviar (03CHB) * Case dimensions: D38.5mm * W13.6mm (10.8mm excluding crystal) * Additional dimensions: 20mm Lug width, 44.5mm Lug to lug * Architecture: 3-part case construction, screw down case-back and a signed crown * Material: 316L Stainless Steel * Crystal: Sapphire crystals (Double domed front and flat exhibition back) * Lume: Super-LumiNova C3 * Water-resistance: 5 ATM
Movement
Movement type: Cam-Operated Sellita Manual Winding SW510 M * Version: Custom Spécial * Beat Rate: 28,800 (4hz) * Accuracy: Elaboré 5 ±5 s/d * Winding crown: Clockwise wind system with hacking * Functions: Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, monopusher chronograph with thirty-minute counter and tachymeter scale * Power reserve: 63h
Leather Strap
Band: 20mm tapered to 16mm pebble-grain Calfskin Leather strap by The Strap Tailor * Spring bars: Quick-release * Buckle: Signed 316L Stainless Steel
Dial Dial: 2-layer with a metallic radial sunray base dial and coarse dégradé top dial * Function: Tachymeter markings
Warranty Term: We’ve partnered with Horologium to offer a limited 2-year warranty
