Studio Underd0g x Ahmed Seddiqi 03SERIES Chronograph Chan3ad Unveiled at Dubai Watch Week 2025

British independent watchmaker Studio Underd0g, renowned for its vibrant and playful approach to horology, has once again captivated the watch community with the debut of its latest creation: the 03SERIES Chronograph Chan3ad. This exclusive timepiece, a collaboration with leading UAE luxury retailer Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, made its grand entrance at the prestigious Dubai Watch Week 2025, marking a significant moment for both brands and the regional watch market. The Chan3ad, named after the prized kingfish and inspired by the rich maritime heritage of the United Arab Emirates, embodies a masterful fusion of Studio Underd0g’s distinctive design philosophy and Ahmed Seddiqi’s deep understanding of local culture and luxury connoisseurship.

Studio Underd0g has steadily cultivated a devoted following since its inception, consistently delivering timepieces that push creative boundaries while respecting traditional watchmaking formats. Their early successes, including the inaugural 01SERIES chronographs powered by the robust hand-wound Seagull ST-1901 movement, laid the groundwork for their reputation. This was followed by the more utilitarian 02SERIES field watches, featuring the reliable manually wound Sellita SW210-1. The introduction of the 03SERIES marked a significant step up, showcasing a Swiss-made hand-wound monopusher chronograph. This series gained prominence through high-profile collaborations, such as the "Passion Fruit" Endeavour Perpetual Calendar chronograph with H. Moser & Cie., and the "Gimlet" with Fears, a partnership that celebrated British watchmaking heritage. The "Salm0n" edition of the 03SERIES, released in 2024, further cemented the series’ appeal, highlighting its monopusher chronograph complication and unique dial treatments.

The genesis of the Chan3ad collaboration can be traced back to Studio Underd0g’s participation in Dubai Watch Week 2025, an event that serves as a pivotal platform for horological innovation and regional engagement. This year’s iteration of the event provided the ideal backdrop for Studio Underd0g to forge a deeper connection with the Middle Eastern market through a partnership with Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, a powerhouse in the luxury retail landscape of the UAE and a key organizer of Dubai Watch Week itself. The decision to name the watch "Chan3ad" is a deliberate nod to the "kingfish," a species of immense cultural and culinary importance across the UAE and the wider Gulf region. Described by Fish Markets UAE as "one of the most famous, highly prized, and culturally significant fish choices," the kingfish served as a rich source of inspiration, influencing every facet of the watch’s design, from its color palette and textures to intricate dial details and strap selection. This localization demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the market and a commitment to creating timepieces that resonate deeply with the local clientele.

Studio Underd0g and Ahmed Seddiqi Go Fishing in the Gulf with the 03SERIES Chan3ad

A Design Echoing the Kingfish

The physical architecture of the Chan3ad remains consistent with the established proportions of the 03SERIES, a testament to the successful design of the original platform. The watch features a diameter of 38.5mm, a thickness of 13.6mm (with a more svelte 10.8mm without the crystal), and a lug-to-lug measurement of 44.5mm. This sizing is deliberately chosen to offer a comfortable and versatile wear across a range of wrist sizes, a characteristic that has contributed to the 03SERIES’ broad appeal. The case is meticulously crafted from 316L stainless steel, employing a robust three-part construction. Complementing the refined aesthetics are a screwed display caseback, allowing a glimpse into the intricate movement within, and a signed crown that bears the Studio Underd0g insignia. The distinctive rectangular chronograph pusher, a hallmark of the monopusher chronograph, is strategically positioned at the 2 o’clock position, offering intuitive and seamless operation of the chronograph functions. Protecting the intricate dial is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and the case is rated for a water resistance of 50 meters, ensuring its durability for everyday wear.

The two-layer dial of the Chan3ad is where the inspiration from the kingfish truly comes to life, offering a visual narrative that is both poetic and precise. While sharing the fundamental layout with the "Salm0n" edition, the Chan3ad introduces unique visual elements that set it apart. The tachymeter scale and the subdials are adorned with Eastern Arabic numerals, a subtle yet significant detail that underscores the watch’s regional focus. The upper dial layer presents a striking blue-grey dégradé finish, meticulously designed to evoke the iridescent scales of the kingfish. This gradient effect captures the play of light and shadow on the fish’s skin, adding depth and dynamism to the dial. Beneath this, the lower dial layer reveals a delicate pale pink hue, a direct homage to the flesh of the kingfish, providing a beautiful contrast to the cooler tones above. This subtle color choice distinguishes it from the salmon’s darker flesh, ensuring its own unique identity.

The dial layout remains a functional and aesthetically pleasing arrangement, featuring an oversized 30-minute counter positioned at the 3 o’clock mark, a running seconds subdial at 9 o’clock, and central hands for hours, minutes, and the chronograph seconds. A particularly noteworthy detail is the presence of yellow-tipped chronograph hands. According to Studio Underd0g, this vibrant accent is a deliberate reference to the lemon that is traditionally served alongside kingfish, adding another layer of thematic coherence to the design. The hands for hours and minutes are treated with Super-LumiNova, ensuring excellent legibility in low-light conditions, a practical consideration for any timepiece.

A Bespoke Movement for a Special Collaboration

At the heart of the Studio Underd0g 03SERIES Chan3ad beats a custom version of the manually wound, cam-operated Sellita SW510-M monopusher chronograph movement. This robust and reliable caliber, which is based on the renowned Valjoux 7750 architecture, is celebrated for its precise timekeeping and its elegant single-pusher operation. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph), providing a smooth sweep of the central seconds hand and contributing to its accuracy. It offers a respectable power reserve of 63 hours, ensuring that the watch remains operational for extended periods between windings.

For this exclusive collaboration, Studio Underd0g has gone a step further in customizing the Sellita SW510-M. The movement features a bespoke ruthenium anthracite-finished bridge, lending a sophisticated and contemporary aesthetic to the inner workings of the watch. Furthermore, the bridges are adorned with Côtes de Genève, a traditional decorative technique characterized by its wave-like stripes, adding a touch of haute horlogerie finishing that is visible through the display caseback. This meticulous attention to detail in the movement finishing elevates the Chan3ad beyond a mere timekeeping instrument, positioning it as a piece of finely crafted mechanical art. The choice of a Swiss-made movement underscores Studio Underd0g’s commitment to quality and precision, aligning with the expectations of discerning watch collectors.

A Unique Combination of Materials and Craftsmanship

The Studio Underd0g 03SERIES Chan3ad is presented on a distinctive strap crafted from black salmon leather, sourced from Iceland. This choice of material is both unique and thematically relevant, further enhancing the connection to the watch’s namesake. The strap, measuring 20mm at the lugs and tapering to 16mm at the buckle, is equipped with quick-release spring bars for effortless strap changes. It is secured by a classic stainless steel pin buckle, ensuring both comfort and security on the wrist. In addition to the salmon leather strap, a Milanese mesh bracelet is also included with the watch. This versatile addition offers a different aesthetic and feel, allowing the wearer to adapt the watch to various occasions and preferences, from casual to more formal settings. The inclusion of two distinct strap options enhances the overall value proposition of the timepiece.

Limited Edition Exclusivity and Regional Availability

The Studio Underd0g 03SERIES Chan3ad is a strictly limited edition, with only 100 pieces being produced worldwide. This exclusivity ensures that each owner possesses a rare and special timepiece. Every watch is meticulously assembled at Studio Underd0g’s D0ghouse facility in Great Britain, a testament to the brand’s dedication to artisanal craftsmanship and quality control. The collaboration’s regional significance is further amplified by its exclusive availability. The Chan3ad will be offered solely through Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons boutiques, commencing on September 17, 2026. This strategic distribution ensures that the timepiece reaches its intended audience and reinforces the partnership between the British independent brand and the prominent Middle Eastern luxury retailer.

The retail price for the Studio Underd0g 03SERIES Chan3ad is set at AED 9,600, which translates to approximately EUR 2,300 at the current exchange rate. This pricing positions the watch as a compelling proposition within the luxury chronograph segment, offering a unique blend of design, complication, and exclusive regional appeal. The release of this watch at Dubai Watch Week 2025 signifies a growing trend of independent brands tailoring their offerings to specific cultural contexts, demonstrating an understanding that true luxury often lies in thoughtful localization and meaningful storytelling.

Technical Specifications

Case:

Diameter: 38.5mm
Thickness: 13.6mm (10.8mm without crystal)
Lug-to-lug: 44.5mm
Lug width: 20mm
Material: 316L stainless steel
Construction: Three-part case
Crystal: Sapphire
Caseback: Screwed display caseback
Crown: Signed
Water resistance: 50 meters

Dial:

Type: Two-layer dial
Upper layer: Blue-grey dégradé finish
Lower layer: Pale pink tone
Numerals: Eastern Arabic numerals on tachymeter scale and subdials
Accents: Yellow tips on chronograph hands
Lume: Super-LumiNova on hour and minute hands
Scale: Tachymeter scale

Movement:

Caliber: Sellita SW510 M (customized)
Type: Hand-wound, single-pusher cam-operated chronograph
Grade: Élaboré
Regulation: -5/+5 seconds/day
Jewels: 23
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 63 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with central seconds and 30-minute counter
Finishing: Ruthenium anthracite-finished bridge, Côtes de Genève

Strap: