Seiko Launches 5,000-Piece Panda Chronograph Following 2024 Power Design Project Prototype
Seiko has opened pre-orders for a limited-edition panda chronograph priced at $540 in the US, £510 in the UK, and €590 in Europe, with deliveries scheduled to begin in November. The timepiece is a production version of designer Kiyotaka Sakai’s 2024 concept from Seiko’s internal Power Design Project, which first exhibited experimental prototypes in Tokyo.
Two Colorways and Fur-Textured Dials Inspired by Newborn and Adult Pandas
The production run is strictly limited to 5,000 pieces globally. Seiko is allocating 3,000 units to the traditional black-on-white model designated as the HHK001, and 2,000 units to the playful black-on-pink HHK002 variant, which was inspired by a newborn panda.
The dial plate features an uneven brushed texture engineered to mimic animal fur. Sunken black subdials at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions form the distinctive black fur patches around a panda’s eyes, while a nose and mouth sit directly below the central hands.
Bamboo Leaf Hands and Sasameter Speed Scale Replace Standard Tachymeter
Instead of conventional watch hands, the timepiece features hour and minute hands shaped like bamboo leaves. Rather than a standard tachymeter scale, the dial integrates what Seiko terms a Sasameter. This scale is calibrated so a two-minute timing interval reads 30 kilometers per hour, which the manufacturer cites as a panda’s theoretical top speed.
The stainless steel case measures 43 millimeters across and 14.6 millimeters thick. Uniquely, the chronograph pushers are positioned at the top of the case to resemble a panda’s ears. This layout is housed within Seiko’s 8T61 quartz chronograph movement, a calibre rated to maintain accuracy within plus or minus 15 seconds per month while accommodating the top-mounted pusher configuration.
From Family Critique to Commercial Production
The watch originated from a personal critique when designer Kiyotaka Sakai showed an earlier panda-dial chronograph to his son, who remarked that the accessory did not actually resemble the animal. Sakai set out to design a timepiece that his son would recognize as the animal, leading to the original 2024 concept known as the Pandagraph.
The release marks a commercial endeavor for Seiko’s revived Power Design Project. Operating between 2001 and 2009, the internal design laboratory returned in 2022. Its first commercial release, Collection 1, reworked 1980s Tissé models in limited runs of 500 pieces per finish that sold out at prices ranging from €405 to €450.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Seiko Panda Chronograph
How many units of the Seiko Power Design Project Panda Chronograph are being produced?
Seiko is manufacturing a total of 5,000 pieces worldwide. This production pool is split into 3,000 units of the white HHK001 model and 2,000 units of the pink HHK002 model.
What movement powers the panda chronograph?
The watch runs on Seiko’s 8T61 quartz chronograph movement. This specific calibre allows for the unusual placement of the chronograph pushers at the top of the case.
How much does the watch cost in different regions?
The limited-edition chronograph retails for $540 in the United States, £510 in the United Kingdom, and €590 in Europe. Pre-orders are currently open, with deliveries expected to commence in November.
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