Seiko Incredibly Specialized Watch Exhibition – Panda Lovers Watch / Pandagraph

This article is part of a series on the 2024 Incredibly Specialized Watch Exhibition;

• Sukiyaki Watch – Designed by Akira Yoshida
• Hide-and-Seek Watch – Designed by Masanori Kawamura
• Patternmaker’s Watch – Designed by Kotaro Usugami
• Panda Lovers Watch – Designed by Kiyotaka Sakai
• Masking Tape Enthusiasts Watch – Designed by Yugo Hibayashi
• Sunny Men Watch – Designed by Yu Ishihara
• Ambidextrous Watch – Designed by Kento Ito

The “Power Design Project 2024” will showcase the Incredibly Specialized Watch Exhibition at Seiko Seed in Harajuku, Tokyo, starting January 19, 2024. Organized by Seiko Watch Corporation, this initiative is part of an annual event that challenges in-house designers to delve deeply into the core of watchmaking, pushing the boundaries of their usual design styles and fostering innovative outcomes.

Centered around the theme of “incredibly specialized watches,” this year’s exhibition features seven designers who have approached the challenge from seven unique perspectives. The objective is to craft watches that are exceptionally exclusive, each creation highlighting fresh appeal through designs tailored to specific roles.

Panda Lovers Watch – Designed by Kiyotaka Sakai

Sakai became a member of Seiko in 2012, initially designing watches for the global market and later for the Japanese market, including Prospex. Presently, he is a valuable member of the Grand Seiko design team.

The Concept’s Inception

Challenging the Perception of a “Panda” Watch

The cultural practice of “mitate” in Japan, akin to seeing familiar things in a new light, was the catalyst for Sakai’s idea. Drawing parallels to the Japanese rock garden, where arrangements of sand, plants, and rocks evoke natural landscapes, Sakai observed the practice of assigning unique names to watches based on their appearance, such as calling a black and white dial design a “panda.” Intrigued by how differently people perceive the same object, he recounted an interaction with his son, who, despite being a panda enthusiast, simply referred to a “Panda” watch as a “watch.” This led Sakai to ponder the true essence of a panda for a panda lover and sparked a desire to create a genuine panda watch that captured the adorable, teddy-bear-like qualities of an actual panda.

Insights from a Panda Expert Commentary by Miho Nakagawa, a journalist and panda expert, highlighted the universal appeal of giant pandas. She praised the watch for truly embodying the characteristics of pandas without a cartoonish appearance, making it suitable for adults who adore pandas. Nakagawa commended the three-dimensionality, the white tail reminiscent of a real panda’s, and the meticulous details around the mouth. She pointed out the resemblance to Xiang Xiang, a real panda, emphasizing the watch’s ability to open one’s mind to the mysterious ecology of pandas.

The Concept’s Realization

Tailored for Discerning Panda Lovers

The design of the watch is meticulously saturated with panda elements, leaving no room for ambiguity—it unequivocally embodies the essence of a panda. The goal is to cater to discerning panda lovers who appreciate the thoughtful incorporation of panda characteristics in the watch design.

In keeping with the panda theme, the watch incorporates distinctive “panda ears,” mirroring the endearing features of the beloved creature.

The sub-dials are artfully designed to resemble drooping eyes, a key visual element capturing the essence of a panda. Notably, the TACHYMETER, denoting the measuring function of the watch, has been playfully renamed as “SASAMETER (bamboo meter),” reinforcing the delightful association with pandas.

Adding to the charm, the case back showcases an adorable motif reminiscent of the rear side of a panda. Panda enthusiasts will undoubtedly find the charm of this aspect irresistible.