In the high-stakes world of horology, the pocket watch is often relegated to the waistcoat pockets of history, seen as a relic of a bygone era. Yet, the new Studio Underd0g x Christopher Ward Alliance 02 Pocket Watch shatters this dusty reputation with a neon-soaked sledgehammer.
It is a pocket watch designed not for the three-piece suit, but for sneakers; a piece of horological art that feels inevitable the moment you see it. Born from a partnership between Christopher Ward’s industrial technical prowess and Studio Underd0g’s irreverent, celebrated design language, this limited run of just 100 pieces represents arguably the most luminous pocket watch ever created.
The visual drama is centered within the sculpted 44mm Light-catcher™ case, a vessel that plays with reflection to reduce visual mass. However, the true spectacle lies beneath the crystal, where the dial performs a mesmerizing magic trick of light and depth. A brass base is coated with seven generous layers of custom Super-LumiNova®, creating a potent bed of light that charges quickly and shines with intense vibrancy.
Floating above this radioactive-looking abyss is a 1.4mm sapphire disc printed with Roman numerals, a minute track, and dual branding. In daylight, the numerals appear to hover in mid-air; in darkness, they are silhouetted against a blazing glow, turning the watch into a miniature architectural light sculpture.
While the face is pure Studio Underd0g playfulness, the engine is serious Christopher Ward engineering. Beating inside is the hand-wound CW-001 calibre, a chronometer-grade movement formerly known as the SH21.
With a twin-barrel construction delivering a massive five-day power reserve, it is robust, reliable, and beautiful to behold through the exhibition caseback, where the bridges and barrels are on full display. This is a movement built for the modern era, repurposed to shake up a centuries-old format.
Understanding that the modern collector rarely wears a waistcoat, the timepiece arrives with a contemporary braided leather strap—a modern twist on the traditional chain—and a bespoke bamboo desk stand.
This allows the Alliance 02 to transition seamlessly from a wearable accessory to a striking desk clock. Assembled in Great Britain, the project carries a weightier purpose than mere aesthetics.
Priced at £2,995, all profits are donated to the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers. Following the massive success of the Alliance 01, this second iteration continues to fund sector-boosting initiatives like British Watchmakers’ Day. It is a pocket-sized banner for British ingenuity—one that quite literally glows in the dark.
