- Playful Concept Made Real: Designed by Seiko’s Kiyotaka Sakai, the Power Design Project prototype officially transitions into production as two limited-edition chronographs.
- Literally a Panda: Features ear-shaped pushers, droopy-eye sub-dials, fur-textured dials, and a “SASAMETER” scale calibrated to a panda’s 30 km/h top running speed.
- November Launch: Limited to 3,000 pieces for the classic HHK001 and 2,000 pieces for the pink newborn-inspired HHK002, retailing for €590 EUR (~$650 USD / $540 USD).
Give me a Seiko, but make it a Panda, please!
That’s right: Seiko is reintroducing its noteworthy panda chronograph, which first made its debut two years ago during the company’s “Incredibly Specialized Watch Exhibition”. Designed by Kiyotaka Sakai, this bad boy caters to those who love anything panda-related while expanding upon a concept first introduced in 2001.
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Literal Design Metaphors: From Subdials to SASAMETERs
For the production models, Seiko took the traditional “panda dial” nickname—usually reserved for white dials with contrasting black subdials—and pushed the literal aesthetic considerably further:
- Two Colorways: The HHK001 adopts the familiar classic black-and-white palette, while the playful HHK002 arrives in soft pink as a nod to a newborn panda cub.
- Anatomical Details: The chronograph’s sub-dials are reshaped to mimic droopy panda eye patches, the textured dial surface replicates the look of soft fur, and the rounded black pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock double as panda ears.
- The “SASAMETER”: Replacing the standard tachymeter scale, Seiko added a “SASAMETER”—derived from sasa(the Japanese word for dwarf bamboo grass)—calibrated specifically to clock speeds up to 30 km/h, the theoretical top running speed of a panda.
Specs, Pricing, and Availability
Both watches feature a 43mm stainless steel case (14.6mm thick) powered by Seiko’s quartz Caliber 8T61 movement and topped with a Hardlex crystal. They come outfitted on custom leather straps equipped with soft, suede-like accents that mimic the plush feel of fur without requiring extra maintenance.
Each piece arrives packaged inside a specialized presentation box—green and white for the HHK001, and pink for the HHK002:
- HHK001 (Black/White): Limited to 3,000 pieces worldwide.
- HHK002 (Pink/Black): Limited to 2,000 pieces worldwide.
Both models are scheduled to drop in November 2026 across Seiko Boutiques and select global retailers, with official pricing set at €590 EUR ($540 USD / £510 GBP).
Featured Photo: Seiko
