Seiko Takes the "Panda" Chronograph Literally

At Seiko, the term “Panda Chronograph” is taken literally: Two limited-edition watches from the Power Design Project use counters, pushers, and hands to form a complete panda face. The HHK001P1 and HHK002P1 models will be available exclusively at Seiko boutiques and the online store in November 2026.

From Nickname to Design Concept

“Panda” is the term typically used to describe chronographs with a light-colored dial and dark sub-dials. For the Power Design Project, Seiko doesn’t stop at this familiar color scheme. Japanese designer Kiyotaka Sakai consistently translates the animal’s features onto the watch.

The two sub-dials resemble a panda’s dark eye patches. The nose and mouth are positioned at 6 o’clock, while the chronograph pushers become round ears. Even the crown is deliberately kept small so as not to disrupt the head’s shape. An embossed surface further evokes the texture of fur.

White or Pink

Seiko offers two versions. The HHK001P1 features a white dial and is limited to 3,000 pieces. The pink HHK002P1 is produced in a limited run of 2,000 pieces. Both come with matching leather straps.

The tachymeter scale also reflects the theme. Seiko calls it “SASAMETER”—“Sasa” refers to bamboo grass or bamboo leaves in Japanese. The hands echo this shape. The back and tail of the panda appear in relief on the case back, accented with a colored hard coating.

Quartz chronograph in a 43-millimeter case

The 43-millimeter-wide, 14.6-millimeter-tall stainless steel case houses the 8T61 quartz caliber. It measures up to 60 minutes in fifth-of-a-second increments. The watch features Hardlex crystal, is water-resistant to three bar, and measures 44.1 millimeters from lug to lug.

Both models come in a limited-edition box. The price for each is 590 euros. They will be available starting in November 2026 exclusively through Seiko boutiques and the Seiko online store.