Studio Underdog Guacam0le (2025 Limited Edition) — Watch-Snacking

There are watches that make you feel important. Then there are watches that make you smile (or maybe laugh) before you’ve even put them on.

The Studio Underdog Guacam0le — 2025 Limited Edition definitely falls into the latter. How this piece caught my eye was being on a lookout for a green dial microbrand timepiece to complete my trio of microbrand watches, (more about it here), this particular piece is about the brand's playful response to a particular Chinese brand copying its designs. Instead of taking legal action, Studio Underdog decided to create its own version directly inspired by the copier's design, with this particular piece being a more "mashed-up" Guacamole version that is closer to the brand's aesthetics.

And yet — don’t let the meme aesthetics fool you. Beneath the playful dial lies a surprisingly serious watch, both mechanically and in terms of finishing. In typical Studio Underdog fashion, it’s a timepiece that mixes between fun and horology — because why not be both?

Case & Movement — Reference 01GUFG

Spec	Detail
Diameter	38.5mm (Yes! I'm restricting to case size smaller than 40mm!)
Lug-to-Lug	44.5mm
Thickness	13.6mm (incl. box sapphire)
Movement	Seagull ST-1901B (Manual Winding)
Crystal	Sapphire (Front + Caseback)
Water Resistance	50m

The ST-1901B movement is a bespoke hand-wound column wheel chronograph movement from Seagull. Visible through the open caseback — all levers, gears and blued screws on full display. No rotor, no noise, just pure mechanical honesty. Some call it a “budget” movement but what an understatement when the chronograph engagement is this tactile and satisfying.

The Dial — From Skin to Seed

Without doubt the main attraction: the dial - Studio Underdog didn’t just "put on" a green dial. They committed to what they are known for, by building in tonal layers:

• Outer creamy lime-green ring — think perfectly ripe avocado flesh.

• Center deep olive gradient — where the fruit meets the pit.

• Subdial with a textured brown fade — the seed!

This isn’t a watch you quietly admire from your wrist. This is a watch strangers point at and ask, “Wait… is that an avocado?”

The Change I Made

The Guacam0le comes on a default strap that does the job, but it felt like ordering guacamole without lime and salt — technically still edible, but lacking seasoning.

So I went all in on the theme.

I went ahead with a custom ostrich leg leather strap from HRTG by Hides&Thread — and asked them to mirror the watch’s color palette exactly.

• Base leather dyed in soft olive green, echoing the dial perimeter

• Contrast stitching in light green, matching the lighter tones

• Natural scales of the ostrich leg mimicking the rough texture of the seed

• Finishing it with a buckle laser marked with my initials "RP"

At first glance, it almost looks like it grew out of the watch. It’s cohesive without being gimmicky. Playful, but crafted with purpose and intention.

Wearing Experience — Conversation Starter Through Comedy

There’s a strange vibe that comes with wearing a watch like this. Whether or not you meet a watch enthusiast or not, the chronograph emits luxury watches signal status. Yet, a great conversation starter because of the dial design, which to me is what makes it a great tool watch, especially as a sales professional. The Guacam0le signals personality — it tells the world you can appreciate horology without needing the Rolexes and Omegas. I’ve worn expensive Swiss watches that got zero attention. But this one? Baristas, friends, colleagues — everyone notices. Everyone laughs! And honestly? That reaction alone makes it better than any COSC certificate. Some wrist shots of the watch on my 6¼" wrist.

Final Thoughts — Watch collecting being "serious yet not serious"

The Studio Underdog Guacam0le is not just another limited edition colourway. It’s a reminder that watches can be fun — and still be (mechanically) respectable. Paired with the custom ostrich leg strap, it feels fully mine now. Not just any other collectible timepiece, but a statement:

You may appear to be a serious watch collector — yet still be "not so serious" as to deter new collectors from engaging in a conversation about watches.

So, everyone's favourite question (also an excuse for myself to not stop so easily) after announcing a #NWA.

WHAT IS NEXT?

Now while I’ve gone full gastronomer, the intention was really to complete my trio of green dial microbrand watches. Hence the only question is:

Should I start building a full “Food Dial” collection?

• Watermelon?

• Egg Sushi?

• Or can someone actually do a Singapore/Malaysia flavoured — a Cendol edition someday?

What should the next collection theme be?