Those panda ears aren’t just decoration. They’re the buttons you press to operate the chronograph. Seiko has taken the familiar “panda dial” nickname and built an actual panda face around it, with drooping-eye subdials, bamboo-leaf hands, and a raised tail on the case back.
Price: $540
Where to Buy: Seiko
The HHK001 and HHK002 are part of Seiko’s Power Design Project Collection 2, arriving in November 2026 at $540 each in the U.S. Both use the same quartz movement and share the same dimensions and functions, so you’re choosing between two versions of the panda rather than two different watches under the skin.
The HHK001 goes with classic black and white. The HHK002 swaps in pink and black inspired by a newborn panda. It’s a playful direction for a working chronograph, and a fitting result from a design project built around unconventional watch ideas.
A Panda Face Built Around Working Components
Seiko designer Kiyotaka Sakai developed the original concept for the company’s 2024 Power Design Project exhibition. The production models retain the idea of turning functional watch components into recognizable features of the animal.
Two subdials form the panda’s drooping eyes, while markings near six o’clock create its nose and mouth. An embossed radial pattern across the dial represents fur, and the hour and minute hands resemble bamboo leaves.
The chronograph pushers sit above the case and are shaped like rounded panda ears. These recessed buttons operate the stopwatch, combining the animal-inspired design with a practical function.
The crown sits between the pushers, creating a bullhead-style arrangement instead of the usual side-mounted controls. This positioning also preserves the rounded outline of the panda’s head.
The case back features a depiction of the panda’s back, complete with a raised tail. A limited-edition marking appears above it, extending the design beyond the dial.
The SASAMETER Measures Speed
The dial includes a tachymeter scale called the SASAMETER, a playful reference to sasa, or bamboo leaves. It indicates average speed based on the time taken to travel one kilometer.
Seiko illustrates this with a two-minute interval, corresponding to 30 km/h—a figure the brand describes as a panda’s theoretical top speed. The scale works with the chronograph; it doesn’t measure speed independently.
Two Limited Editions With Different Colors
Seiko HHK001: Black and White
The HHK001 uses a white dial with dark details resembling an adult panda’s markings. Its leather strap incorporates contrasting sections, including a suede-like texture intended to suggest fur.
Production is limited to 3,000 pieces worldwide. The color combination retains the familiar appearance of a traditional panda-dial chronograph.
Seiko HHK002: Pink and Black
The HHK002 features a pink dial and matching leather strap with dark accents. Its coloring references a newborn panda, giving the watch a different appearance without changing its functions.
Seiko will produce 2,000 pieces worldwide.
Both watches come in presentation boxes designed to complement their respective colors. Their technical specifications are identical, so the choice comes down to appearance and availability.
Quartz Movement and Everyday Specifications
Both models use Seiko’s Caliber 8T61 quartz movement, which provides conventional timekeeping and a chronograph capable of measuring up to 60 minutes in one-fifth-second increments. A small seconds display handles regular timekeeping, while the chronograph records elapsed time.
Seiko specifies accuracy of ±15 seconds per month at temperatures between 5°C and 35°C. Estimated battery life is approximately three years, although replacement intervals can vary with use.
The stainless steel case measures 43mm in diameter, 14.6mm thick, and 44.1mm from lug to lug. The relatively short lug-to-lug measurement may help accommodate some wrists, but the case thickness remains a consideration.
Both models feature Hardlex crystals, cowhide leather straps, and 20mm lug spacing. Water resistance is rated at 3 bar, suitable for incidental splashes rather than swimming or diving.
These specifications provide standard quartz timekeeping and stopwatch functionality. The panda-inspired construction, rather than an advanced movement, is the main distinction.
Who Should Buy the Seiko HHK001 or HHK002?
If you collect unusual Seikos or simply love pandas, there’s plenty to enjoy here. The ears operate the stopwatch, the hands look like bamboo leaves, and even the back gets a sculpted tail. The appeal is in how those details work together, not just the black-and-white dial.
Choosing between them is straightforward. The HHK001 gives you the classic panda colors, with 3,000 pieces worldwide. The pink-and-black HHK002 has a smaller run of 2,000. Both cost $540 in the U.S., with the same quartz movement and chronograph functions.
Price: $540
Where to Buy: Seiko
At 14.6mm thick, this is a chunky watch, and its splash-resistant case belongs out of the pool. If you’re after a slim dress watch or a mechanical chronograph, you’ll want a different Seiko. These two are for the buyer who wants to press a panda’s ear to start the stopwatch. That’s a much more specific kind of charm.
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