HOT DOG

Richard Benc's Studio Underdog is bringing a quirky, colourful approach to horology

- Chitra Lohani Saharan

Studio Underd0g and its founder Richard Benc struck a chord in the watch world in April last year with the unveiling of their first timepiece, the Watermel0n, a striking chronograph in pink and green with seed-shaped indexes. Call it a perfect summer refreshment, the manual-wound timepiece powered by a Seagull movement aimed to make horology a bit more fun with its lighthearted approach to a serious subject. And it seemed to have paid off, with the timepiece getting nominated for the 2023 GPHG Awards in the ‘Challenge Category’. In much the same way, more recently at Geneva Watch Days 2024, Studio Underd0g presented Passi0n Fruit in collaboration with another independent brand H. Moser & Cie. Born of their mutual love for unconventional and innovative watchmaking, the partnership included two watches—the H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Passion Fruit and Studio Underd0g’s 38.5mm 03 SERIES Passi0n Fruit that had a multilayer, coarse dégradé dial in amber and royal purple. The watches could only be purchased as a pair.

Though the UK-based microbrand only launched in March 2021, it has been making impressions (and sales) fast and quick, ironically defying its ‘underdog’ name. It represents a quirky and joyful approach to horology, and Benc, the creative force behind the brand, says, “Why can’t horology be a little more playful from time to time?” His design philosophy, deeply reflective of his own personality and British sense of humour, balances craftsmanship with a lighthearted twist.