The Imaginative (And Literal) Seiko Panda Lovers Chronograph Becomes A Reality

The Seiko Power Design Project initiative is the brand’s vehicle for letting its designers go wild, but few of the concepts unveiled at the related exhibitions rarely get made into watches that can be, well, purchased. No matter how fun, the general watch-loving public typically has to resign itself to viewing the designs more like museum pieces. But Seiko has flipped its own script today, officially launching the Power Design Project Collection 2 Limited Edition, which takes the common chronograph “panda” nickname to its most literal (and cutest) expression. 

The Backstory

The concept for the new Seiko panda HHK001 and HHK002 limited editions was first seen at the Incredibly Specialized Watch exhibition in 2024. Designed by Seiko’s own Kiyotaka Sakai, the idea was born from two main sources: the designer’s own panda-loving son, who immediately drew the connection between the classic white dial, black subdial chronograph layouts, and his favorite animal, and the Japanese concept of “mitate,” in which two seemingly unrelated objects share some surprising sense of likeness. Thus, Sakai set about taking the concept of the panda chronograph and transforming it into an actual panda bear, visually and functionally. 

Key Details

Aside from the adorable factor, much of what made the original “Panda Lovers Watch” a hit was that all of the panda bear elements were not just decorative, but essential to the watch’s operation, and it remains true for the new, purchasable models at hand. The sleepy, oval eyes of the panda are where the chronograph subdials live, and the bubbly, round ear shapes are cleverly transformed into fully functional chronograph pushers. Even the etched radial dial finish helps with the overall panda realism, mimicking a fuzzy, fur-like texture. And, as a nod to a panda’s preferred cuisine, the hour and minute hands are shaped like bamboo, and the tachymeter has been renamed the “Sasameter,” from “Sasa,” the Japanese word for bamboo leaves. 

On paper, these watches are undoubtedly on the larger side, measuring 43mm in diameter with a 14.6mm profile and 44.1mm lug-to-lug – but perhaps more wrist real estate means more room for cuteness? While the HHK001 carries on the white and black panda combo we’d expect from the 2024 concept model, the HHK002 adds plenty of pink into the mix. And it isn’t just to make things even more charming. Baby pandas are actually born pink, and the rosy pastel hues are a nod to their newborn color combo. Cuteness overload. 

The Movement

Under the hood, these models are quartz-powered via the 8T61 caliber, which runs for approximately three years with a ±15 seconds per month accuracy. The charming panda references don’t stop at the dial. On the caseback, not only does the black curved stripe found on a panda’s back sweep over the case, but there is also a round, white panda tail, with the serial number detailed just above it. 

Final Thoughts And Pricing

Just as clever as they are cute,  the new Seiko panda hronographs are undoubtedly its most endearing yet, and I’m sure there will be a mad dash trying to snatch up these limited edition models. Set to become available for purchase starting in November, both the HHK001 and HHK002 are priced at $540, with 3,000 pieces of the white model (HHK001) and 2,000 of the pink (HHK002) slated for production. 

For more information, visit the brand’s website here.