Photo Recap: Golden Hour — Studio Underd0g

For the latest instalment of Golden Hour, we welcomed Studio Underd0g to Asia for the very first time. Over two weekends in two cities, the independent watch brand met collectors and enthusiasts in Singapore and Hong Kong, bringing its distinctive design approach directly to the communities that follow it.

The event took place at the Delugs Flagship Boutique in Singapore on 29 and 30 August, before continuing at our Hong Kong boutique on 4 and 5 September. Open to the public, both weekends offered visitors the opportunity to experience Studio Underd0g's watches in person and, most importantly, meet the people behind them.

Studio Underd0g Comes to Asia

For many attendees, the opportunity to meet Studio Underd0g in person was a highlight in itself. With the brand making its first visit to Asia, the event provided a rare chance for local collectors to engage directly with its creative team and learn more about the ideas behind its watches.

Richard Benc, the brand's founder, and Magnus Swann, its designer, were present throughout the events, speaking with visitors and sharing more about Studio Underd0g's approach to watchmaking and design. Their presence made the showcase feel less like a conventional product display and more like an open conversation between the people making the watches and those who collect them.

A First Look at the 02 Series 'Mantis'

One of the biggest highlights of the event was the debut of the 02 Series 'Mantis', a brand-new Studio Underd0g watch unveiled to visitors during the showcase. Building on the 02Series platform, the Mantis debuted in a new 37.5mm case size while sporting a fully lumed, sapphire sandwich dial dressed in a green gradient.

Having the Mantis presented alongside the brand's existing watches allowed guests to see how its latest design fits within Studio Underdog's broader visual language. Visitors could take their time examining the watch up close, while conversations with Richard and Magnus offered additional context around the decisions that shaped the new release.

For those familiar with Studio Underd0g, the debut offered a first look at where the brand is heading next. For newcomers, it provided an introduction to the design philosophy that has shaped its growing catalogue.

From Singapore to Hong Kong

The Singapore weekend marked the start of Studio Underd0g's Asian visit, with the event continuing in Hong Kong the following weekend. Bringing the showcase to both locations enabled the brand to connect with two established watch communities while allowing local collectors to experience the watches without travelling overseas.

Across both weekends, the atmosphere remained relaxed and informal. Guests were free to browse the watches, speak with Richard and Magnus and exchange thoughts with fellow enthusiasts. The result was a showcase that felt as much about conversation and discovery as it was about the watches themselves.

Meeting the People Behind the Watches

One of the defining characteristics of independent watchmaking is the connection between the maker and the collector. Having Richard and Magnus present throughout the event made that connection particularly tangible.

Rather than simply encountering Studio Underd0g through photographs or online releases, visitors could ask questions directly, discuss design details and hear the thinking behind the watches from the people responsible for creating them. These interactions gave the weekend a personal quality that is difficult to replicate outside an in-person gathering.

A New Chapter for Golden Hour

Golden Hour — Studio Underd0g continued Delugs' effort to create spaces where collectors can encounter independent watchmaking in a more direct and personal way. From Studio Underd0g's first visit to Asia to the debut of the 02 Series 'Mantis', the two-city showcase brought together new releases, familiar faces and first-time encounters across Singapore and Hong Kong.

We are grateful to Richard, Magnus and everyone who joined us across both weekends, and to the collectors and enthusiasts who helped make Studio Underd0g's first Asian visit a memorable one.