Seiko’s Playful (and Literal) Take on the Panda Chronograph
A watch exclusively for panda lovers
The world of watchmaking is full of charming visual signatures that put enthusiasts on cloud nine, from Snowflake hands and Pepsi bezels to Panda-style chronographs with their contrasting sub dials. Seiko now takes the latter concept quite literally with the latest creations from its Power Design Project. Rather than simply using the familiar nickname, the two new chronographs are designed to resemble a panda’s face. Created by Japanese designer Kiyotaka Sakai, the HHK001P1 and HHK002P1 turn the animal into a distinctive watch design.
HHK001P1
Seiko
Panda Details Throughout
The concept originated at Seiko’s “Incredibly Specialized Watches Exhibition,” where the panda watch attracted attention for its unusual approach. Now, the design becomes a limited production edition in two colorways: white for the HHK001P1 and pink for the HHK002P1. The stainless-steel case measures 43mm in diameter and 14.6mm thick, with the cowhide leather strap reinforcing the respective dial color.
HHK001P1
Seiko
The panda theme is most obvious on the dial. The two sub dials serve as the animal’s slightly sleepy eyes, while the nose and subtly raised mouth are positioned at 6 o’clock. The three-dimensional chronograph pushers become the panda’s round ears. A deliberately compact crown keeps the outline of the head as clean as possible, while the textured dial surface is intended to evoke the appearance of panda fur. The playful design on the flange. The tachymeter scale has been renamed “SASAMETER,” a reference to sasa, the Japanese word for bamboo grass or bamboo leaves, which are a favorite food of pandas. The hands are also shaped like bamboo leaves.
HHK002
Seiko
The case back continues the theme with a specially shaped plate depicting the panda’s back and tail in three-dimensional relief. Inside both watches is Seiko’s Caliber 8T61, a quartz chronograph movement an accuracy of ±15 seconds per month displaying hours, minutes, central chronograph seconds and elapsed time up to 60 minutes in 1/5-second increments.
HHK001P1
Seiko
Two Limited Editions
The white HHK001 is limited to 3,000 pieces worldwide, while the pink HHK002 is limited to 2,000 pieces. Both are delivered in a special limited-edition box.
HHK002
Seiko
