Two brands, separated in age by 175 years came together in March 2025 to launch one of the most highly coveted collaborations the British watch industry had ever seen. The Gimlet stole the show at the second British Watch Makers Day, causing people to queue outside the venue many hours before the show began.
Needless to say, the watch sold out as fast as they could get them off the stands. 200 pieces were sold to attendees of the show and anyone else that wanted one was left to pay a premium on eBay the next day.
But now the wait is over, and once again a collaboration between these two British power houses is available. But this time, it’s for our friends across the pond.
The combining of forces by Fears and Studio Underd0g was a move that I think most of us didn’t expect. Two brands separated by not only over a century and a half, but by design philosophy and branding.
At the core of both companies there is common ground. Both Nicholas Bowman-Scargill (4 th Managing Director of Fears) and Richard Benc (founder of Studio Underd0g) are passionate creators and have built watches that they love and are truly proud of. And that is the reason they work so well together.
The Gimlet was so named because the colours of the dial resembled that of the cocktail of the same name. Nicholas, being a cocktail devotee loved the idea of introducing people to a more obscure drink. This new release keeps the cocktail theme but is possibly more familiar to those that enjoy an alcoholic mix.
The Manhattan cocktail is mixed from rye whisky, sweet vermouth, bitters, and garnished using a brandied cherry. It is a beautiful orange-brown colour that feels old school.
Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the Fears x Studio Underd0g 02Series Manhattan.
The Manhattan Up Close
The dial is the showstopper for the Manhattan, just like it was for the Gimlet. The silver base is decorated with sunburst pattern and a radial fumé. The sapphire top layer is 1mm thick and coloured a deep amber. Creating depth to the colour and a structure to the dial, this aesthetic echoes the liquid of the cocktail the watch has been named after. The sunburst effect It is beautiful, rich in colour, and pure class.
The Gimlet’s dial was fully lumed. A divisive but stand-out feature. On the Manhattan, only the numerals, indices, and hands are lumed. While this is a more classic design choice, part of me does miss the fully lumed dial. It was so out there and pure Studio Underd0g craziness. But you cannot argue with the elegance of this dial design.
The case of the Manhattan is the brilliant and familiar stainless steel cushion shaped case from the Fears Brunswick with a brushed finish and polished lugs. At 38mm in diameter and 12mm thick, 2mm of which is the domed crystal, this watch is classically proportioned. It wears brilliantly for me and feels very much like it would suit both casual and formal dress equally well. Small enough to be elegant, but bold enough to make a statement, this is a very well-balanced design.
Powering the Manhattan is the Sellita SW210-1. A manual wound calibre that combines high quality Swiss manufacturing with accurate time keeping. These movements have been regulated to +/- 7 seconds per day and feature hacking seconds. The winding feels secure and satisfying and we know that these movements are bullet proof. A great and elegant choice for this watch.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Manhattan is another brilliantly executed collaboration that speaks to the strength of both brands. A timeless design with heritage to back it up but a playful overtone to keep it contemporary. While the Gimlet was a statement piece that boasted about itself, the Manhattan feels very much more like a watch that has many roles. Still as a statement piece because the dial catches light in such a unique way, but also as a dress piece that can accompany you to any formal event.
The Manhattan will be available to purchase at Wind Up Watch Fair NYC 2025, conveniently held in Manhattan.
300 pieces will be available, and they will be sold on a first come-first served basis. So, if you love this watch, make sure you drop by our friends’ stalls at the show and pick one up for yourself!
If you’re not able to make it to Wind Up NYC then don’t worry too much. Keep following Fears and Studio Underd0g as I know this won’t be the last time they collaborate on something special. I think that the Manhattan proves the two brands are just getting started...
The Manhattan - Technical Specifications
Price: $1300.00
Case dimensions: 38mm diameter x 12mm thick (9.7mm excluding crystal)
Additional dimensions: 20mm Lug width, 43.5mm Lug to lug
Material: 316L Stainless Steel
Crystal: Sapphire crystal
Water-resistance: 10 ATM
Movement: Sellita manual winding SW210-1
Beat Rate: 28,800 (4hz)
Accuracy: ±7 s/d
Power reserve: 42h
Leather Strap: 20mm tapered to 16mm - Tobacco brown
Buckle: Co-signed 316L Stainless Steel
