Who can resist the stupidly adorable face of a panda? The bamboo muncher possesses one of the most striking miens in the animal kingdom, so much so that even chronographs that have black sub-dials on white or silver dials have adopted the “panda” moniker. The look is commonly associated with racing chronographs from the 1960s-70s, and with the renewed interest in vintage, more panda dials are being released into the wild than ever.
Tissot Heritage 1973
The Heritage 1973 is a throwback to the Tissot Navigator, a key timepiece that established the brand’s ties to motor-racing during the era. Limited to 1,973 pieces, the watch contains all the hallmarks of a seventies-style racing chronograph – cushion case, bright orange accents, leather strap with large circular perforations, and, of course, panda dial.
Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42
Panda dials are more than simply an aesthetic choice for Breitling; the look signifies the presence of the Manufacture Calibre 01 in all their current timepieces. The Premier B01 Chronograph also features a bi-compax layout, a variant of the usual 3-6-9 counter position associated with panda dials that is cleaner but is no less striking.
Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph Automatic
The inversion of white sub-dials on black dial is known as a “reverse panda”. Montblanc updates its TimeWalker Chronographs with the about-face aesthetic to reinforce their sporty and vintage appeal for 2019.
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