Introducing: Studio Underd0g And Massena LAB Team Up For A Champagne And Caviar Chronograph

What We Know

Now, we all know the crazy pizza watch that Studio Underd0g did with Time and Tide a few years back. Certainly one of the most whimsical chronograph designs ever released, it was a popular chronograph that reminded us how much fun watches can be. For the brand’s latest collaboration, Studio Underd0g introduces its newest chronograph design, with a whole different price segment of culinary inspiration, thanks to William Massena of Massena LAB. Here, Domino’s is swapped for Dom Pérignon, with a dial inspired by the (delicious) excesses of Champagne and caviar.

There’s a lot to take in with this two-layer dial, with the base executed in a radially brushed metallic sunray finish, housing the tachymeter scale and minutes track on that periphery. In the center is a raised top dial, finished in a coarsely textured, lightly fumé finish, in a color reminiscent of the golden tones of a lovely glass of Champagne (please, no flutes). The running seconds hand sits in a snailed subdial at 9 o’clock, while the main point of focus is the thirty-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, crafted to resemble a tin of caviar, with three-dimensional beads finished in a glossy lacquer that evokes the slimy salinity of sturgeon roe. In one subtle detail, the base of the white-tipped seconds hand actually resembles a bottle of Champagne. Easy to miss, but it hammers the theme home.

In the 38.5mm-wide by 13.6mm-tall case (44.5mm lug-to-lug), beats a customized version of the Sellita SW510M, previously seen only with Studio Underd0g in its collaboration with H. Moser & Cie’s Project Passion. This undoubtedly sets a more upmarket tone for these humorous chronographs, but is nonetheless an interesting mono pusher movement with 63 hours of power reserve and rated at ±5 seconds a day.

The Studio Underd0g x Massena LAB 03Series Champagne and Caviar is priced at $2,200, limited to only 200 pieces, and will be available on Studio Underd0g’s website from 3 pm GMT on November 11th. The brand says that all 200 pieces will be delivered in November.

What We Think

This is the most out-of-left-field collaboration to ever hit my inbox, and yet, I guess it kind of makes sense? Of course, it would be Massena, a Frenchman and wine lover, to take caviar and Champagne and manage to put it into a watch.

This watch certainly isn’t for everyone, but then again, it’s easy to say that about many of Studio Underd0g’s wild collaborations. Those with trypophobia, beware. But as ridiculous as this thing is, I am actually surprised by its subtlety in execution. Even close up, I think it’s not too on the nose, making it quite versatile and something you could wear every day. But when you know what it stands for, all the Easter eggs come out in full force, making for certainly one of the most unique dials of the year.

The Basics

Brand: Studio Underd0g x Massena LAB
Model: 03Series Champagne & Caviar
Reference Number: 03CHB

Diameter: 38.5mm
Thickness: 13.6mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Champagne, and, well, Caviar
Indexes: Printed
Lume: Super-LumiNova C3
Water Resistance: 5 ATM
Strap/Bracelet: Pebble-grain (read: caviar) calfskin leather strap by The Strap Tailor

The Movement

Caliber: Customized Sellita SW510 M
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, monopusher chronograph
Diameter: 30mm
Thickness: 7mm
Power Reserve: 63 hours
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 28,800 VpH (4 Hz)
Jewels: 23
Chronometer Certified: No
Additional Details: Elaboré 5 ±5 s/d

Pricing & Availability

Price: $2,200
Availability: Studio Underd0g Online Store
Limited Edition: Yes, 200 pieces.

For more, click here.