Studio Underd0g Mantis: A Field Watch That Glows in the Dark

A New Kind of Field Watch

Studio Underd0g has never been a brand to follow the beaten path. From fruit-themed chronographs to vibrant military-inspired pieces, this British microbrand has carved out a niche by blending traditional watchmaking with a healthy dose of personality. Now, with the Mantis, the second-generation 02SERIES takes a bold step into the shadows.

Described as a serious take on their famously playful field watch, the Mantis retains the core character of the 02SERIES but amplifies its lume to extraordinary levels. Inspired by nocturnal military operations and covert missions, this watch appears understated in daylight, only to reveal its true nature when the lights go out. The name itself hints at its inspiration: the praying mantis, a master of camouflage. Yet, instead of hiding, the Mantis uses an abundance of X1 GL C3 Super-LumiNova to ensure it stands out brilliantly in the dark.

A Field Watch with a Secret

At its heart, the Mantis is a true member of the 02SERIES family. This collection draws inspiration from classic British military field watches and the iconic 'Dirty Dozen' timepieces of World War II. However, Studio Underd0g has always favored reinterpretation over replication. The result is a compact, straightforward field watch silhouette that conceals a wealth of complexity beneath its surface.

The Mantis retains the 37.5mm stainless-steel case of the Gen2, along with its slimmer 11.5mm profile, making it a comfortable wear for those who appreciate the modest proportions of traditional military watches. The dial, however, is where the magic happens. Instead of simply adding a few luminous markers, Studio Underd0g has engineered a dial specifically for nighttime visibility. The brand claims the Mantis uses seven layers of X1 GL C3 Super-LumiNova, giving it a formidable glow in low-light conditions.

In daylight, the dial is more subtle. A brass base is finished with a silver sunray pattern, and a 1mm-thick tinted sapphire crystal sits above. This layered construction has become a hallmark of the 02SERIES, creating depth and allowing the dial to shift in appearance depending on the light. But when the sun sets, the watch transforms dramatically.

The Glow-Up

Lume has become a Studio Underd0g specialty, but the Mantis takes it to a new level. The seven layers of Super-LumiNova are not just decorative; they are integral to the watch's identity. The combination of luminous dial elements, a refined handset, and a glowing minute track ensures excellent legibility in darkness.

Studio Underd0g cheekily suggests that the Mantis has enough lume to make night-vision goggles redundant. While that's marketing hyperbole, the point is clear: this is a field watch that prioritizes visibility. Interestingly, the dial's inspiration isn't the mantis itself but the natural glow of jellyfish and their electric, phosphorescent appearance. For the Mantis, this concept makes perfect sense, turning a traditional military-style watch into something that feels almost alive after dark.

Gen2 Under the Hood

Despite being a special edition, the Mantis is not merely a cosmetic upgrade. It carries over the technical improvements introduced with the second-generation 02SERIES. Powering the watch is the Swiss Sellita SW200-2 M manual-winding movement, which has been upgraded to deliver a substantial 63-hour power reserve. This is particularly useful for a hand-wound watch, allowing you to set it aside for a couple of days without needing to reset it.

The movement is also regulated to run within -7/+7 seconds per day, a level of accuracy that Studio Underd0g claims is suitable for field work. This demonstrates the brand's commitment to mechanical seriousness beneath the playful exterior. The movement is housed in the slimmed-down 37.5mm case, and the strap tapers from 18mm at the lugs to 16mm, ensuring a comfortable fit.

Specifications at a Glance

Case: Stainless steel
Diameter: 37.5mm
Thickness: 11.5mm
Crystal: 1mm tinted sapphire
Dial: Brass base with silver sunray finish
Lume: Seven layers of X1 GL C3 Super-LumiNova
Movement: Swiss Sellita SW200-2 M manual winding
Accuracy: -7/+7 seconds per day
Power reserve: 63 hours
Strap: 18mm tapering to 16mm
Assembly: Great Britain

A Limited-Time Mission

The Mantis is not just another permanent addition to the 02SERIES lineup; it's a limited-edition release with a strict availability window. Studio Underd0g plans to sell the Mantis directly through its website for just nine hours, from 3pm to midnight BST on September 1st, after which it will be gone. A small additional allocation will be reserved for in-person purchases at the brand's D0ghouse.

This limited availability fits perfectly with the covert-operations theme. The Mantis is essentially a mission that appears, makes its mark, and disappears. For collectors, this scarcity makes the watch particularly appealing. Studio Underd0g has built a strong following around its limited releases and colorful collaborations, and the Mantis offers something distinct without abandoning the design language that made the 02SERIES successful.

Studio Underd0g Keeps Doing Things Its Own Way

What's most interesting about the Mantis is how it showcases Studio Underd0g's evolution. The brand's watches remain playful and irreverent, but there's increasingly serious watchmaking underneath the humor. The Mantis doesn't attempt to reinvent the field watch mechanically; instead, it focuses on what Studio Underd0g does best: color, texture, layered construction, lume, and storytelling. The result is a watch that looks familiar enough to be recognized as a field watch but is unmistakably Studio Underd0g.

The 37.5mm dimensions are a smart choice in an era where field watches often exceed 40mm. Combined with an 11.5mm case, manual-winding movement, and 63-hour power reserve, the Mantis offers a compelling everyday proposition beneath all the fun.

Winding Things Up

The Studio Underd0g Mantis feels like a natural evolution of the 02SERIES rather than just another limited-edition colorway. It takes the Gen2's slimmer case, improved movement, and refined dial construction and gives the entire concept a new personality after dark. There's something fitting about choosing a praying mantis for a watch meant to disappear into the night, only to undermine the insect's camouflage with seven layers of glowing Super-LumiNova.

It's this kind of contradiction that makes Studio Underd0g so enjoyable. The Mantis is a military-inspired field watch that doesn't take military watches too seriously, a covert-inspired watch that refuses to be discreet, and a serious mechanical timepiece from a brand that has built its identity around having fun. With availability limited to a nine-hour window on September 1st, anyone wanting to add this particular bug to their collection will need to be ready when the lights go out.