This time we can say it, watchmaking is on the rocks!

Recently there has been a collaboration between two brands that are as different as they are similar: I am talking about the independent Swiss brand, renowned for its minimalism, namely H. Moser & Cie, and Studio Underd0g, a brand born in 2021 in the United Kingdom and that in a short time has managed to make its way in this sector thanks to an innovative ideal.

The newly formed collaboration between these two brands is called “Passion fruit,” and by looking at the watches, it’s easy to see why. But let’s go in order.

Underd0g Studio

Studio Underd0g was born in 2021 from an idea of Richard Benc, who always saw the world of watchmaking as very set and far too serious. Based on these premises, Benc decided to found his own maison, characterized by the vibrancy of colors and by making this industry more “young” and cheerful.

Although very recent, this brand has been much talked about, precisely because of the playfulness of its products. In 2022, a very interesting model came out that drew the attention of many, the Serie1 “Watermelon,” in which the colors of the dial precisely recall those of the summer fruit.

This chronograph immediately shows the brand’s character, in which vibrant colors take center stage, making it more fun.

The Passion Fruit collaboration between H. Moser & Cie and Studio Underdog

In 2023, the CEOs of H. Moser and Studio Underdog met and, seeing the similarity in ideals, decided to establish a quite unique collaboration. For H. Moser, too, is a brand that does not follow tradition or fashion and is characterized by strong minimalism and excellent attention to detail.

The collaboration between the two maisons has just produced two watches, respectively a single-pusher chronograph made by Studio Underd0g, and a perpetual calendar made by H. Moser. The common denominator of the two models is the two-tone dial, which recalls the purple and yellow colors of the passion fruit. Both have no inscription on the dial, in keeping with Moser’s tradition.

Studio Underdog 03SERIES Passion Fruit

The single-pusher chronograph, the result of the collaboration between the two maisons, is named Studio Underd0g 03SERIES Passi0n Fruit.

The dial, that is, the real special feature of this exclusive timepiece, is multi-layered and defined as Coarse Dégradé Amber and Royal Purple. At nine o’clock we can notice the continuous seconds counter while, at three o’clock, we find the chronograph minute counter. The most attentive eyes will surely have noticed that, to give an additional touch of exuberance, there is the tip of the green chronograph minute and seconds hand, to represent the seed of the passion fruit, a real treat.

The case has a diameter of 38.5mm and, powering the watch, we find a caliber already used by the house, namely, the manual-winding Sellita SW510 M with a 63-hour power reserve, visible on the case back thanks to a sapphire crystal. Finally, the strap was made of hand-stitched calfskin leather.

Moser Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Passion Fruit

The watch made by H. Moser, on the other hand, is the Endeavour Perpetual Calendar “Passion Fruit,” which embodies all the peculiarities of the Swiss maison’s model. Inside the 42mm-diameter case we find the extraordinary combination of a purple lacquered “sunburst” dial and a “Maracuja fumé Grand Feu” enamel dial on an 18K yellow gold base with a hammered texture. At three o’clock we can see the date window while, in perfect harmony with the purple background, the seconds counter at six o’clock and the power reserve at nine o’clock.

This model, too, could not miss the reference to the passion fruit seed, represented by a small green hand in the center of the dial, which indicates the current month. This, in fact, makes one click per month. If, for example, as in the photo, it was at twelve o’clock, it would indicate the twelfth month of the year, thus December.

Thanks to the sapphire crystal case back, it is also possible to consult the leap year indicator on the movement, featuring the same colors as the dial. Animating this watch is a hand-wound caliber already known in Moser, the HMC 800. Rounding it out is a waxed gaucho leather strap.

Price and availability

The sales strategy is somewhat peculiar in that you will not be able to decide to buy either the chronograph or the perpetual calendar individually; rather, you will have to get both. The two watches, in fact, are sold within the same box set at USD 64,900. The series is limited to 100 pieces.

Conclusions

We really liked this collaboration and it has been a long time since we have seen such an original and well executed idea. Indeed, this is an exclusive collection that is the result of the genius of two brands that, when it comes to personality in the style of their watches, really have it in spades.

How about you, what do you think?

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