Mixology: Now Serving the Fears x Studio Underd0g 02SERIES Manhattan
This limited edition will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the WindUp Watch Fair NYC.
By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large
Local watch shows like London Watch Week and WindUp NYC evoke a feeling similar to being on the right side of the velvet rope in a very cool bar, surrounded by an intoxicating array of exotic cocktails. These events are increasingly important for indie brands that might not have as much presence in the big boutiques because these shows are a chance to build buzz and let enthusiasts enjoy their concoctions in person.
At Watchmaker’s Day 2025 in London, two of Britain’s most interesting brands – Fears and Studio Underd0g – teamed up to create a show-exclusive watch called the Gimlet, named after a very British cocktail consisting of gin and lime cordial.
The co-creation was a hit, with fans lining up around the block to snag this limited edition. Now, the brands are headed across the Atlantic with another cocktail-inspired collab, the Manhattan.
British Invasion
The timepiece was first hinted at last month through a series of Instagram posts featuring Studio Underd0g’s founder Richard Benc and Nicholas Bowman-Scargill (who revived his family-owned brand Fears in 2016) meeting in historic New York City destinations such as Grand Central Terminal.
Later, the brands released a video of Benc and Bowman-Scargill visiting cinematic locales like Times Square and the Joker Stairs in the Bronx.
But the real star of these teasers is the 02SERIES Manhattan, a limited edition that will be available exclusively at Windup Watch Fair NYC, starting on October 17th.
Straight out of the gate, it’s a great built-in story. For many mid-range brands, building a personal connection with buyers is crucial to their survival, and a limited edition model with an original activation (you can only buy it in person) is definitely going to be a thirst trap.
However, the Manhattan, which blends the elegance and heritage of Fears’ classic designs with Studio Underd0g’s irreverent dials, isn’t a promotional gimmick. Like the Gimlet before it, the Manhattan is also a lovely watch.
Old Fashioned
Let’s start with the dial. The Manhattan is built in layers for a uniquely deep effect. At its base lies a sunburst silver plate with a radial fumé finish. On top of this sits a 1mm-thick amber sapphire disc secured by two slotted-head pins.
The hour markers are printed on top of the disc with Super-LumiNova. Floating above these layers like two luminescent muddlers are the hour and minute hands. A silver second hand stirs the ingredients together.
If you are a cocktail connoisseur, you know that glassware is just as important as the liquor you pour into it. Instead of a rocks glass, the golden dial plate and amber-tinted sapphire disc are poured into a 38mm stainless steel cushion-shaped case derived from the Fears Brunswick. The cherry on top is on the case back, which is decorated with a pair of maraschinos.
On the wrist, it has a throwback charm, sitting at a comfortable 12mm thickness (9.7mm without the crystal) and a 43.5mm lug-to-lug. The Manhattan comes with a tobacco-brown leather strap handmade by The Strap Tailor. This strap features quick-release spring bars and a co-signed pin buckle.
Inside ticks the Swiss Sellita SW210-1, a hand-wound movement running at 28,800vph with hacking seconds and a 42-hour power reserve. The caseback remains about as minimalist as they come, decorated only with a pair of cocktail cherries.
Pricing & Availability
The Fears x Studio Underd0g 02SERIES Manhattan is limited to 300 pieces, is priced at $1,300, and is only available on a first-come, first-served basis for purchase during the upcoming WindUp Watch Fair NYC, starting on October 17th. For more information, check out the Studio Underd0g website.