Try our newest merchandise
Zach Blass
From iconic racing watches to public sale darlings, panda dial chronographs maintain a particular place within the hearts of collectors all around the world. It’s little surprise most manufacturers have their very own interpretation of the much-loved design. The panda dial was popularised within the Sixties and Seventies, largely due to mainstream manufacturers reminiscent of Rolex, Omega, and Heuer starting to include it into their designs. They then turned related to motorsport for his or her legibility and sporty aesthetics. The contrasting black sub-dials towards the sunshine background made it simpler for drivers to learn elapsed time and measure pace. In contrast to the animal, the watchmaking panda is much from endangered. Earlier than we get into our greatest panda dial chronographs shopping for information, some clarification. Some panda purists solely think about white dials with three contrasting black counters true pandas, however I’ve included a wider color gamut, in addition to chronographs with both two or three counters.
Citizen Zenshin Chrono
On the entry and reasonably priced aspect of the equation, we frequently flip to Japanese watches. What can I say? Manufacturers like Citizen know how you can supply killer, value-driven watches. The Zenshin Chrono is a major instance. Whereas it might be beneath quartz snobs, the intriguing Eco-Drive twist gives solar energy, and it’s simple {that a} titanium wristwatch is seldom seen under US$1,000. The Zenshin Chrono, 42.5mm in diameter and 100 metres waterproof, makes use of Citizen’s proprietary Tremendous Titanium for the case and built-in bracelet. Supplied in quite a lot of colors, the above Zenshin Chrono will significantly stand out with its textured and Tiffany blue-like dial that’s contrasted with black counters. Value: US$625
Seiko Speedtimer SSC911
In fact Seiko has its personal reasonably priced reply for panda dial-hungry watch patrons. The Seiko Speedtimer SSC911, with its V192 motion, can be solar-driven. On a full cost, omitted of the sunshine, the watch has an autonomy of six months, with an accuracy vary inside fifteen seconds monthly. The case is extra compact throughout the wrist than its 41.4mm diameter would recommend at simply 45.9mm lug-to-lug. Ought to the extra conventional white dial of the SSC911 be too fundamental in your liking, there are 12 extra configurations you may discover – all with dial-contrasting registers. Value: US$700
Baltic Tricompax Reverse Panda
A model identified to distinctly reinterpret cues of the previous, Baltic naturally caught the eyes of collectors with its panda-dialled variants of the Tricompax. Unusually for me, I truly favor the Reverse Panda mannequin. Its semi-gloss black dial is contrasted with a stone white outer minutes monitor and chronograph counters. Its 50-metre waterproof metal case has wonderful trendy proportions, measuring 39.5mm in diameter, 13.5mm thick together with its vintage-simulating double domed sapphire crystal, and 47mm lug-to-lug. Inside, the Tricompax Reverse Panda is powered by a manually wound 63-hour Sellita SW510-M that gives dependable and strong efficiency – with an endurance past the 38 or 42 hours too usually seen at this value tier. Value: €1,645 (~US$1,830), out there from the Time+Tide Store
Hamilton American Basic Intra-Matic Auto Chrono
If you’d like robust classic feels from a storied watch model with wealthy heritage, however don’t need to pay an incredulous sum of cash for that Nina Rindt you’re drooling over, the Hamilton
Intra-Matic Auto Chrono gives a really good-looking ’60s-inspired panda dial chronograph with a 40mm chrome steel case that can be notably 100 metres waterproof. Inside the automated H-31, Hamilton’s tackle the Valjoux 7753, delivers 60 hours of energy reserve. Value: US$2,295
Oak & Oscar The Atwood
Maybe I’m too partial as an American, however then once more a manually-wound flyback chronograph below US$3,000 hardly wants an excuse to be on this record. Based in 2015, Oak & Oscar is a Chicago-based impartial watch model that delivers basic watch fanatic staples, reminiscent of area watches, however with aesthetic that aren’t utterly caught prior to now. Take this Atwood with its panda dial – very basic flavoured. And its 39.5mm case, 12.9mm thick together with the domed crystal and 46mm lug-to-lug, definitely retains issues feeling extra basic, or at the least classic-adjacent, in measurement. However, returning to the dial, the panda format is completed in a fashion that feels youthful and contemporary. Inside, a 58-hour Sellita AMT5100M gives strong efficiency. Value: beginning at US$2,450
Alpina Alpiner Excessive Chronograph Automated
Chronographs usually are not sometimes related to swimming, as sometimes talking, participating the pushers underwater can show disastrous for the watch. The Alpina Alpiner Excessive Chronograph Automated is as much as the duty with a 200-metre depth ranking. Designed with an on-trend built-in bracelet, the Alpiner Excessive Chronograph Automated’s chrome steel case measures 41mm in diameter and 11.5mm thick, with a compact lug-t0-lug span. Its textured silver dial is handsomely contrasted with the three black chronograph counters. Some might despise a 4:30-positioned date window, but it surely blends nicely into the silver dial tonally talking. Exhibited inside is the Sellita SW510-based AL-730 chronograph calibre. Value: US$3,295
Bulgari Aluminium Watch Chronograph
A 42-hour energy reserve chronograph at this value degree might be lower than desired for some, however the enchantment of the Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph lies in its unmistakable type and light-weight case. Many wearers of the Bulgari Aluminum, reminiscent of our personal Andrew McUtchen, usually notice how comfy its rubber bracelet (with its steel inserts) is on the wrist – and luxury is paramount for a summer time watch. With its 100-metre depth ranking, the Aluminium Chronograph, 41mm in diameter and 11mm thick, is a wonderful summer time watch that has a trendy kind whereas providing stable performance. Value: US$4,800
Tudor Black Bay Chrono Blue
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono has turn into an absolute fan-favourite since its introduction and all through its evolutions. There are actually a number of choices to discover, together with the internet-breaking Black Bay Chrono Pink and Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue and the Black Bay Chrono Blue Boutique Version for these maybe much less born to dare. Blue is as well-established a dial color as any, versatile and secure with out being plain. For these much less acquainted, this chrome steel Black Bay Chrono Blue is accessible on a Jubilee bracelet that features T-Slot in its clasp. Its 200-metre waterproof case, with a screw-down crown and screw-down pushers, gives peace of thoughts whereas swimming, and measures 41mm in diameter, 14.2mm thick, and 49.9mm lug-to-lug. Inside you’ve a COSC-certified, computerized vertical clutch, column-wheel chronograph motion with 70 hours of energy reserve. Value: US$5,675
Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Copper
Mixing two fan-favourite classic dial aesthetics, Breitling lately paired its salmon-like copper with three contrasting black chronograph counters within the Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43. As its identify suggests, its case is 43mm in diameter, clocking in at 13.69mm thick and a shocking 49.07mm lug-to-lug. Inside you’ve a Breitling B01 manufacture computerized chronograph calibre with 70 hours of energy reserve. The Navitimer is irrefutably an iconic mannequin, and given this salmon-panda twist, it’s that rather more alluring within the trendy period. Value: US$9,550
Zenith Chronomaster Sport
We’ve now crossed the US$10,000 threshold. Naturally, a panda-dialled chronograph watch that, upon its launch, was instantly recognized as a pound-for-pound various to the Rolex Daytona (maybe even superior to it) is a must-include on this record. The Zenith Chronomaster Sport flexes the model’s mastery of high-beat actions with its 60-hour, computerized El Primero 3600 that may monitor elapsed time right down to a tenth of a second. Relatively than make a full revolution as soon as each 60 seconds, the Chronomaster Sport’s central chronograph hand races across the dial as soon as each ten seconds – therefore the ten-second commencement of its totally ceramic bezel. The 100-metre waterproof chrome steel case comfortably measures 41mm in diameter, 13.8mm thick, and 47mm lug-to-lug. Value: US$11,300
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph
One other watch generally touted as an alternative choice to mainstream icons, Girard-Perregaux’s pre-Nautilus and post-Royal Oak Laureato has been an if-you-know-you-know design since its inception in 1975. Within the a long time for the reason that line has expanded in its utilization of supplies and ranges of complication, the Laureato Chronograph, in a single such configuration, gives a good-looking panda dial inside its 42mm 904L chrome steel case. The case and built-in bracelet current the next degree of end, with a wealthy horizontal brush balanced with polished accents. Inside you’ve an in-house and finely adorned GP03300 chronograph motion with 46 hours of energy reserve. Value: US$18,600
Piaget Polo Chronograph G0A49024
The fashionable Piaget Polo has additionally usually been in comparison with the Patek Philippe Nautilus, although with its cushion-within-a-circle case, is definitely very distinct the nearer you examine it. Wrist-friendly at 42mm in diameter, 11.2mm thick, and 46.7mm lug-to-lug, the 100-metre waterproof metal watch is obtainable on a bracelet. Nonetheless, Piaget has begun to discover rubber straps for its watches, so if potential, I’d attempt to discover a appropriate rubber strap. In a current addition the road, Piaget has launched its iridescent inexperienced into the Polo Chronograph assortment with dial-contrasting counters in silver. Exhibited inside, the 50-hour computerized column-wheel chronograph calibre 1160P is handsomely completed. The bottom calibre design can be utilized by manufacturers reminiscent of Cartier and Jaeger-LeCoultre. Value: US$20,400 (on bracelet)
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph CBS2240.FC8319
You most likely anticipated to see the Glassbox-generation TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph in metal with a reverse panda dial, however, to be trustworthy, I personally don’t love the 12 o’clock-positioned date. This stable gold Carrera Chronograph is tied for many good-looking inside the vary, tied with the metal Skipper in my e book. The brushed gold-tone dial is beautiful within the steel, and its dial-contrasting black counters give this contemporary mannequin a classic really feel that evokes the Carrera watches gifted by Jack Heuer to numerous racing champions. For a fast spec-check, its 118K 3N gold case is 39mm in diameter and 13.9mm thick, and the watch is powered by an in-house, computerized TH20-00 motion with 80 hours of energy reserve. Value: US$21,500 (additionally out there in metal with a reverse panda black/gray dial – US$6,450)
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Chronograph
With Guido Terreni on the helm, Parmigiani Fleurier’s rock-solid motion engineering has by no means been extra handsomely packaged. With Terreni’s eager eye, the aesthetic of Parmigiani’s Tonda PF was massively refined and led to a extra cohesive vary. With the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph, there are lots of panda dials to discover. My private favorite is that this silver with pale icy blue accents the model refers to as “Arctic Gray”. As a Tonda PF Sport mannequin, the 100-metre waterproof chrome steel case makes use of a fluted metal bezel slightly than a platinum one, measuring in at 42mm in diameter and a sporty-slender 12.9mm. The relative slenderness is made potential by its utilization of the in-house computerized PF070 which isn’t solely beautifully adorned and exhibited, but additionally notably beats at 5Hz and is COSC-certified. Value: US$30,000
Vacheron Constantin Abroad Chronograph
A watch that wants little to no introduction, at the least for watch geeks, the Vacheron Constantin Abroad Chronograph is the primary and solely Holy Trinity watch to grace this shopping for information. The Abroad Chronograph additionally notably boasts the attract of an built-in bracelet design with further bundled straps (a leather-based and rubber strap) that may all be simply swapped between with a quick-release system that requires no instruments. With its column-wheel chronograph complication, it’s a tad bigger than the time-and-date mannequin – its case measures 42.5mm in diameter and 12.67mm thick. Exhibited inside is Vacheron’s computerized, in-house 54-hour calibre 5200 that’s exceptionally completed and adorned to the Hallmark of Geneva normal. Value: US$32,500
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Up/Down
Broadly thought of to accommodate one of many most interesting chronograph calibres ever designed, it’s watches like this Datograph Up/Down that has many watch fanatics holding German watchmaker A. Lange & Söhne in equal or increased regard to the established Holy Trinity watchmakers. From the entrance, the Datograph is thought for its giant double-aperture, operatic-inspired large date window and, as you’d count on from an Up/Down, its German language Ab/Auf energy reserve indicator.
Whereas it does have a panda dial, it’s finally its in-house L951.6 motion you’ll want to stare at and probe for infinity. A horological metropolis comprised of 451 elements, the 60-hour flyback chronograph’s German silver bridges are impeccably completed with beautiful striping, anglage, black sharpening, hand-engraving and… Wait, what was I saying? Value: On request
Time+Tide Timeless choose: Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman”
The panda G.O.A.T. Nuff’ mentioned. This legendary Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” ref. 6239 is essentially why collectors have turn into so hyper-focused on panda dials. At the least with higher cognisance, there are many grail-level classic panda dial chronographs past Rolex’s catalogue, however within the wake of Newman’s personal unique dial Daytona promoting at Phillips for enormous cash, panda dials turned identified by the mainstream.
