Why I Bought The Fears × Studio Underd0g Mim0sa
When the announcement of the Fears × Studio Underd0g Mim0sa landed in my inbox, I did not expect to eventually swim into the Pacific Ocean with one on my wrist. Yet that is exactly where this watch eventually found itself, bobbing around just off the coast of Sydney, thoroughly disproving the idea that colorful collaborative watches belong only in watch boxes or on Instagram feeds.
This piece is the third and final installment in the collaborative trilogy between Fears Watch Company and Studio Underd0g, and when the Mim0sa appeared, I knew I was going to buy one. The reasons were simple — the story behind the collaboration, the design execution, and the fact that this was the final chapter. Sometimes, that is enough.
The partnership between Fears and Studio Underd0g has always been intriguing. On one hand, you have Fears, a revived historic British watch brand with roots going back to the 19th century. On the other hand, Studio Underd0g is a modern independent brand that revels in color, irreverence, and playful design. The two should not work together on paper, but the collaboration has somehow produced some genuinely interesting watches.
The Fears × Studio Underd0g Manhattan
A cocktail-inspired concept
The trilogy followed a cocktail theme, with previous releases interpreting drinks like the Gimlet and Manhattan. The Mim0sa closes the series, and it might just be the most exuberant of the three. When I first saw the images, I had the same reaction many people probably did. I smiled. That does not happen with watches nearly often enough. The Mim0sa dial captures the appearance of the famous brunch cocktail, with bright yellows and oranges creating a visual gradient that instantly evokes a freshly poured glass of the namesake drink.
But the color is only part of the story. What makes the dial truly interesting is its construction. A textured sapphire disc sits on top, giving the impression of bubbles floating in liquid. Beneath that sits a luminous base dial layered with Super-LumiNova. The result is a sense of depth that changes constantly depending on the light. It is playful yet also cleverly engineered.
A dial that comes alive
In the metal, the watch looks even better than in photos. The sapphire layer casts subtle shadows over the dial printing, and as you rotate your wrist, the texture catches the light in a way that makes the watch feel almost animated. It is a dial that rewards attention, and I found myself repeatedly glancing at it just to see how the light was interacting with the layers. It is unusual without being gimmicky, which is a balance that is surprisingly difficult to achieve in watch design.
The case itself follows the familiar cushion-shaped design used in the collaboration series, loosely inspired by classic Brunswick-style cases associated with Fears. With a 38mm diameter, 43.5mm lug-to-lug, and 12mm thickness, the watch sits comfortably on the wrist. Those dimensions simply work. On my wrist, it felt compact but not small, with enough presence thanks to the vibrant dial. The polished surfaces help it retain a slightly dressy feel, which contrasts nicely with the playful dial colors.
The movement inside
Hidden behind the steel case back is the manual-wind Sellita SW210-1. This is a movement that many enthusiasts will already know well, but for those who don’t, it has 19 jewels, a 4Hz (28,800vph) frequency, and a 42-hour power reserve. It is reliable, easy to service, and pleasantly tactile to wind. I have always liked manual movements for watches like this. They create a small daily ritual that connects you with the object in a way that automatic watches sometimes do not. Each morning, giving the crown a few turns becomes part of the experience of owning the watch.
Why I bought the Fears × Studio Underd0g Mim0sa
The Mim0sa was released using a short order window rather than a fixed production run. For nine hours, anyone who wanted one could place an order. After that, the window closed, and the watch was effectively discontinued. I like this approach. It allows enthusiasts who genuinely want the watch to secure one without racing bots or flippers while still ensuring the final number remains limited. For me, the decision did not take long. The combination of the playful dial, the collaborative story, and the fact that this was the final watch in the trilogy made me feel like the Mim0sa would be a worthy addition to my watch collection. I placed the order, and a few months later, the watch arrived.
Like many watches, the Mim0sa probably could have lived a comfortable life rotating between desk duty and weekend wear. But watches are tools as much as they are objects of art, and I prefer to wear them properly. So when I found myself spending time around the coastline near Sydney, I decided the Mim0sa would come along. That led to a moment in which I stood on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, looking at the bright yellow dial on my wrist and wondering whether swimming with a cocktail-themed watch was slightly ridiculous.
Taking it into the Pacific
Then again, the watch carries a 10atm water-resistance rating. In theory, that means it is perfectly capable of handling swimming and general water activity. But theory is one thing. The ocean is another. So in it went.
The Mim0sa spent a good amount of time submerged in the Pacific Ocean, bouncing around in the surf and experiencing exactly the sort of environment that many watches with similar ratings are supposedly built to handle. The stainless steel case felt reassuringly solid, and the sapphire crystal was obviously unfazed by saltwater and sunlight. After getting out of the water, I gave the watch a rinse with fresh water, which is always wise after a swim in the ocean, and carried on with the day.
Did the Mim0sa pass the test?
The result was exactly what you would hope for. There was no fogging under the crystal, no crown problems, and no reason to worry at all. In other words, the 10atm rating proved entirely legitimate.
Back on dry land, the Mim0sa continued to shine in a completely different environment. Sydney’s bright sunlight is perfect for watches with interesting dials, and the layered construction with the sapphire top layer really comes alive outdoors. The dial shimmers and shifts as light moves across it, creating subtle reflections that make the watch feel constantly dynamic.
Final thoughts
Interestingly, this is also the kind of watch people occasionally notice. Not because it is expensive or flashy, but because the colours are unusual. A few times, I caught someone glancing at the dial before asking what watch it was. That is always a good sign. It means the design is doing something different enough to stand out without being over the top. Ultimately, the Fears × Studio Underd0g Mim0sa represents something that watch collecting sometimes forgets: watches can simply be fun.
For me, it is solidly made, thoughtfully designed, and full of personality. The fact that it also handled a spontaneous swim in the Pacific Ocean without a hint of trouble only adds to its charm. And honestly, how many cocktail-inspired watches can say they have been swimming off the coast of Sydney? Not many. That alone makes this one memorable.
