Introducing The Seiko Panda Watch That Stole The Show In 2024 Is Finally Here (Live Pics)

Photos by Masaharu Wada

Among the seven concepts, none generated quite as much excitement as the panda watch. Nearly three years after its debut as a one-off exhibition piece, it has now become a production model that's remarkably faithful to the original concept.

The watch was designed by Kiyotaka Sakai, a member of Seiko's product design team who also works on Grand Seiko's Evolution 9 Collection. His starting point was a deceptively simple question: Is a watch called "Panda" really seen as a panda in anyone's eyes?

The idea draws on the Japanese concept of mitate—finding unexpected visual associations between seemingly unrelated objects. While collectors have long referred to black-and-white chronographs as "panda dials," Sakai wondered what a watch would look like if it were designed not to resemble a panda dial, but an actual panda.

The answer is wonderfully literal. The drooping subdials become the panda's eyes, the chronograph pushers transform into ears, the hour and minute hands take inspiration from bamboo leaves, and the nose and smiling mouth appear at six o'clock. Rather than forcing the panda motif onto the watch, the design cleverly uses the familiar layout of a chronograph to create an unmistakably panda-like face.

I remember seeing the concept at the 2024 exhibition, and it was easily the watch that stayed with me the longest. It wasn't simply amusing—it was surprisingly well observed, capturing the charm of a panda without drifting into cartoon territory. Seeing it become a real product is genuinely exciting.

Equally fascinating is the fact that Sakai has also been involved in the design of watches within Grand Seiko's Evolution 9 Collection. The same designer behind some of Grand Seiko's most refined, purpose-driven sports watches also created one of Seiko's most playful designs in recent memory—a reminder of just how broad the company's design culture really is.

For production, Seiko has retained the original black-and-white colour scheme while adding a second version in pink and grey. According to the company, the new colourway draws inspiration from the soft pink skin tone of a newborn panda, giving the watch an entirely different—and equally charming—personality.

Both models will go on sale in November 2026. The white-dial version is limited to 3,000 pieces worldwide, while the pink edition is limited to 2,000 pieces worldwide. Both are priced at A$875.

The first thing that struck me after handling the production watch was just how faithfully Seiko had brought the concept to life. When I first encountered A Watch Exclusively for Panda Lovers at the 2024 exhibition, what stood out most was the brilliance of the idea itself. Turning that concept into a commercially viable product, however, is an entirely different challenge. Durability, legibility, manufacturing constraints, and cost all have to be taken into account. Inevitably, some details have changed along the way—but remarkably little of the original charm has been lost.

The case is crafted from stainless steel and measures 43mm in diameter and 14.6mm thick. The mid-case features a gray coating that contrasts with the polished bezel, giving the watch a greater sense of depth and dimensionality. The protrusions on either side of the case, of course, represent the panda's ears. Cleverly, they also serve as the chronograph pushers, successfully balancing playful design with everyday functionality.

The dial is equally well considered. A stamped radial texture evokes the soft fur of a panda, while the drooping subdials and the nose and mouth at six o'clock come together to create an unmistakably expressive face. Even the hour and minute hands have been shaped to resemble bamboo leaves, reinforcing the theme without feeling forced.

Comparing the production model with the original exhibition piece reveals several thoughtful refinements. One of the most noticeable changes concerns the subdials. On the concept watch, the emphasis was clearly on visual impact, and the printed scales sacrificed a degree of readability. For the production model, Seiko increased the contrast and improved the markings, making the chronograph considerably easier to read while preserving the original design language. It's a good example of how a concept can mature into a practical everyday watch without compromising its identity.

Around the edge of the dial, the familiar tachymeter scale has been replaced by something far more appropriate: the "SASAMETER." The name is a playful reference to sasa, the Japanese word for bamboo—the panda's favourite food. Functionally, it works just like a traditional tachymeter. Measurements under one minute are read on the outer scale, while longer intervals use the inner scale. According to Seiko's explanation, it can even calculate the speed of a panda sprinting at full pace—roughly 30 km/h (18.6 mph). It's exactly the sort of delightful detail that reminds you this watch never takes itself too seriously.

Not every change made its way from concept to production unchanged, however. One revision, in particular, left me with mixed feelings. On the exhibition model, the text at six o'clock read "PANDAGRAPH." It was a wonderfully clever name—part panda, part chronograph—and one that many enthusiasts, myself included, quickly grew attached to. On the production model, however, that text has been replaced by the panda's smiling mouth.

According to Seiko, they ultimately couldn't use the original name for legal and trademark reasons. While I was initially disappointed to see it disappear, the revised design arguably completes the panda's expression more naturally.

The panda theme continues on the caseback. The concept's delightful illustration of the panda's back—with its rounded body and tail—has been carried over almost unchanged. One notable difference is the finish. The exhibition piece featured a sandblasted caseback, while the production model adopts a polished finish. Above the tail is the engraving "LIMITED EDITION," a subtle reminder that these watches will only be available in relatively small numbers.

The attention to detail extends beyond the watch itself. Both models are paired with cowhide leather straps matched to their respective dial colours. Portions of the straps feature a suede-like texture intended to evoke the soft fur of a panda, adding another tactile layer to the design.

The exhibition watch even featured a custom pin buckle shaped like a panda's three-clawed paw. For the production version, Seiko opted for a conventional buckle instead. From a purely design standpoint, it's one of the few compromises I found slightly disappointing. On the other hand, a standard buckle is almost certainly the more practical—and cost-effective—choice for a watch intended for everyday wear. Even the presentation boxes differ between the two versions, each tailored to its respective colourway. It's refreshing to see the concept carried consistently beyond the watch itself, right down to the packaging.

On the wrist, this is simply an incredibly fun watch. At 43mm, the dimensions might sound imposing on paper. In practice, though, the size quickly fades into the background. What draws your attention isn't the case diameter—it's the panda looking back at you every time you glance at your wrist.

This isn't the sort of watch that asks to be judged by specifications, movement architecture, or technical innovation. Instead, it's driven by something much simpler: the joy of turning an idea into an object people genuinely want to wear. Every glance at the dial brings a smile. That may sound like faint praise, but in an industry where so many watches take themselves very seriously, that's actually a remarkable achievement.

Perhaps that's exactly why this watch resonated so strongly when it debuted as a concept in 2024. It wasn't trying to be the most complicated, the most luxurious, or the most historically significant watch in the room. It simply set out to become the most convincing panda ever made into a wristwatch—and against all odds, it succeeded. Now, nearly three years later, it's no longer just an exhibition piece. It's a watch anyone lucky enough to secure one can actually wear.

Brand: Seiko
Model: 'Panda' Chronograph
References: HHK001 (white), HHK002 (pink)

Diameter: 43mm
Thickness: 14.6mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial: White or pink with applied indices
Index: Applied
Lume: None
Water Resistance: Splash resistant (everyday water resistance)
Strap/Bracelet: Cowhide leather strap matching the dial colour

Calibre: Seiko 8T61, in-house
Functions: Hours, minutes, central chronograph seconds, 60-minute chronograph counter (1/5-second measurement)
Winding: Quartz
Additional Info: ±15 seconds per month under normal wearing conditions (between 5°C and 35°C)

Price: A$875
Availability: From November 2026, through Seiko boutiques and select retailers worldwide
Limited Edition: Yes, HHK001 (white) limited to 3,000 pieces worldwide; HHK002 (pink) limited to 2,000 pieces worldwide

For more, click here.