If you want a panda-dial chronograph that keeps time with quartz rather than an automatic movement, four models are worth shortlisting: the Timex Q Timex Chronograph, the Hoffman Racing 40 Panda, the Newmark 6BB NP Professional Panda, and the Seiko Power Design Project HHK001P1. A fifth, the Seiko Speedtimer SSC911, qualifies as solar-powered quartz and is worth considering alongside them. Which one fits depends on case size, whether you want a conventional panda layout or a novelty design, and whether the listed price and stock still hold when you check. Prices and availability below are dated, and they change often.
What “panda” means in this guide
The clearest version of the design is a light dial with dark contrasting counters, the small subdials that record chronograph functions. A dark dial with light counters is usually called a “reverse panda.” Some retailers and communities use “panda” more loosely, applying it to any two-tone chronograph dial or to layouts with more counters. This guide uses a narrower rule so the shortlist stays consistent:
- Included: light dial with dark subdials, on a chronograph with two or three counters.
- Included as a flagged exception: a watch marketed by its maker as a panda, even when the design is more literal than a conventional panda dial. The Seiko HHK001P1 falls in this category.
- Excluded: reverse panda dials, and watches whose only link to the name is a contrasting color scheme.
Seiko India gives the common definition behind the nickname: “In watchmaking, chronograph dials featuring a white background with contrasting black sub-dials are widely known by the nickname ‘panda.'”
Quartz types you will see in this shortlist
“Quartz” covers several different power and chronograph arrangements. Knowing which one a watch uses tells you more about maintenance than the dial does.
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- Set Includes: Watch, box, and warranty card included
- Drive Type: Quartz (solar powered)
- Accuracy: within ±20 seconds per month
- Country of Origin: Japan (Made in Japan)
Standard quartz
A battery drives a quartz oscillator that also drives the chronograph hands. These watches are simple to service and are typically run on a replaceable cell. Seiko India gives the HHK001P1’s battery life as approximately three years.
Mecha-quartz
Seiko’s term for a quartz-timed watch whose chronograph is driven mechanically. The time is kept by quartz, but the chronograph runs through a mechanical mechanism. The Hoffman Racing 40 Panda (Seiko Instruments VK64) and the Newmark 6BB NP Professional Panda (Seiko Instruments VK64A) use this type. Hoffman’s listing describes the VK64 as a mechanical-quartz chronograph.
Solar quartz
The watch charges from light and does not need a battery change. The Seiko Speedtimer SSC911 is solar-driven. According to Time+Tide Watches’ guide (published around 2025), it runs for six months on a full charge if left without light.
Rank #2
- Classic Panda Design: This is NOT Automatic Watch. 3 functional little sub-dials for chronograph second / minute / hours.Clear date display. 3 buttons in the case to Start/Pause, adjust time/calender and Reset. The watch face is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, providing enduring clarity and protection against daily wear and tear. Classic design showcases men's masculinity and glamour.
- Pagani Design: Analog Quartz Movement 41mm large dial case, an ever-practical date display window at 4:30 o’clock and luminous hands. Environmentally friendly silicone strap, soft and comfortable, long wearing without damaging your wrist.
- High-quality Movement: Powered by a reliable quartz movement, The silver oxide battery used in quartz watches functions as a reliable and long-lasting power source for the watch movement. The battery can be used for 2-3 years, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted timekeeping without frequent replacements.
- 30 Meter Waterproof: Built in multiple sealed waterproof rings, it can withstand splashes and immersion in water, adding convenience to your daily routine. Please keep your watch away from hot water, as this can cause steam to form inside the surface.
- Perfect after-sale: A perfect gift for any gift giving occasion: Valentine's Day, anniversary, business, birthday, Thanksgiving Day, Father's Day Christmas etc. Any question please do not hesitate to contact us. We will try our best to make customers satisfied
The shortlist
Timex Q Timex Chronograph
Timex calls this a panda-dial quartz chronograph in its October 2022 article “Catch A Panda.” The published specifications include a 40 mm stainless-steel case, a domed acrylic crystal, luminous hands, and a date window. Timex states that the tachymeter scale can be used with the chronograph to calculate a car’s speed, and it ties the design’s motorsport and legibility history to the layout.
The launch price Timex gave in 2022 was $199 on a strap or $219 on a bracelet. That is historical pricing. It does not establish the current price, and you should confirm the model’s listing before buying. Water resistance and case thickness are not stated in the source.
Acrylic crystal scratches more easily than sapphire. If you wear the watch daily or at a job site, budget for that difference.
Rank #3
- Special Design: This stainless steel watches features a 41 mm brushed and polished 316L stainless steel case with a panda textured dial and skeletonized hand. Additional complications include three sub-dials, date window and black ceramic dial for velocity measurement purpose
- Luminous Watch: Using Japan Luminous C3 material, the luminous hand and hour mark in green glowing can last for at least 5 hours in dark. Sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating on inner surface. Waterproof design allows this diving watch to go to depths of 200 meters
- Premium Workmanship: Tactical frog vs75 watch with finest workmanship, striking outlook, screw down crown and fold over clasp with safety and fine tune function is a classic chronograph watch for collection. A must have for tactical frog watch and great choice for watch lovers
- Men's Watches: The striking chronograph watch has tremendous wrist presence. Wears exceptionally well for formal events thanks to its fashionable (yet modern) looks. Swap in a colored strap and you can rock this piece during casual and sporty occasions
- VS75 Quartz Movement: Powering the modern solar chronograph watch is Japan VS75 quartz movement, which is assembled in Japan, providing precise and accurate time keeping, with a precision rate of +2 to−2 seconds a day. And the life span lasts more than 10 years
Hoffman Racing 40 Panda
The Racing 40 Panda uses a Seiko Instruments VK64 mechanical-quartz chronograph. The listed specifications are a 40 mm case, 48 mm lug-to-lug length, 12 mm thickness, a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, 5 ATM (50 m) water resistance, and a tachymeter bezel. Hoffman lists the price at $269.
The product page was marked sold out when checked on 9 October 2026, so treat it as a reference model until it is back in stock. Its 3 o’clock subdial is a 24-hour indicator, and the 9 o’clock subdial records chronograph minutes.
Newmark 6BB NP Professional Panda
This is the smallest model in the shortlist and the closest to the “under 38 mm” wording readers use. Newmark lists a 38 mm nominal diameter, 46.5 mm lug-to-lug, 12.8 mm thickness, 100 m static-pressure water resistance, a domed sapphire crystal, and a 60-minute chronograph. Its stated battery life is three years. The movement is the Seiko Instruments VK64A mecha-quartz.
Rank #4
- Man Watch: Sugess Upgrade Gold Swan Neck Sea-gull ST1901 movement keeps accurate time, provides 45h Power reserve, 21 jewels, 3Hz(21600BPH) in frequency. Mechanical watch hand winding, without battery. Men casual watch with gooseneck, a fine-tuning device, which can make the time more accurate and stable
- Multifunctional Design: Chronograph watch with Second and minute sub-dial support stopwatch. Wrist Watch with luminous hands can see the time in dark. Men classic watch with comfortable black leather strap, durable and comfortable. Diameter 40mm, thickness 13mm
- Waterproof and Anti-scratch: 5 ATM(50 meters) water resistance, suitable for daily activities, can bear sweat, accidental rain or swimming. Stainless Steel watch case with anti-scratch Sapphire dial, sophisticate crafted and durable
- Best Gift: Classic wristwatch is a perfect gift for for festival, family, and meetings. Man wristwatch are the first choice gift for graduation, birthday, wedding, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and valentine’s Day. Chronograph analog watches are the ideal gifts for father, boyfriend or other male friends
- What you get: A Sugess Watch, an instruction book, a guarantee card, a adjustment tool and a cleaning cloth. Your satisfaction is our priority. If you have any questions about the casual men fashion watch, please feel free to contact us. We will give you professional service in 24 hours
Newmark lists the price at £500 and describes the model as limited-edition. Both are seller claims, so check the current availability and the exact edition before you buy.
Seiko Power Design Project HHK001P1
This is the literal panda-face design, with panda-inspired subdials and hands. It is a different take on the convention, not a conventional light-dial chronograph, so it suits buyers who want a novelty piece. Seiko India lists the Seiko 8T61 quartz chronograph movement with ±15 seconds per month stated accuracy, approximately three-year battery life, a 43 mm diameter, 14.6 mm thickness, 3 bar water resistance, and a Hardlex crystal.
The Seiko India listing does not give a price. Confirm the price from a current retailer before comparing it with the others.
Best Value
- Classic Panda Design: This is NOT Automatic Watch. 3 functional little sub-dials for chronograph second / minute / hours.Clear date display. 3 buttons in the case to Start/Pause, adjust time/calender and Reset. The watch face is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, providing enduring clarity and protection against daily wear and tear. Classic design showcases men's masculinity and glamour.
- Pagani Design: Analog Quartz Movement 41mm large dial case, an ever-practical date display window at 4:30 o’clock and luminous hands. Environmentally friendly silicone strap, soft and comfortable, long wearing without damaging your wrist.
- High-quality Movement: Powered by a reliable quartz movement, The silver oxide battery used in quartz watches functions as a reliable and long-lasting power source for the watch movement. The battery can be used for 2-3 years, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted timekeeping without frequent replacements.
- 30 Meter Waterproof: Built in multiple sealed waterproof rings, it can withstand splashes and immersion in water, adding convenience to your daily routine. Please keep your watch away from hot water, as this can cause steam to form inside the surface.
- Perfect after-sale: A perfect gift for any gift giving occasion: Valentine's Day, anniversary, business, birthday, Thanksgiving Day, Father's Day Christmas etc. Any question please do not hesitate to contact us. We will try our best to make customers satisfied
Seiko Speedtimer SSC911
The SSC911 is the solar-quartz option. Time+Tide Watches’ guide gives a 41.4 mm diameter, a 45.9 mm lug-to-lug length, and stated accuracy within 15 seconds per month. It reports six months of autonomy on a full charge with no light exposure. The guide quotes a price of US$700. That is a guide figure, not a live quote, so verify the current price and model details with an authorized Seiko retailer before you recommend or buy it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Side-by-side comparison
The table uses only the values the cited sources state. “Not stated” means the source for that model does not give the figure.
| Model | Movement type | Case diameter | Lug-to-lug | Thickness | Crystal | Water resistance | Battery or power | Price as stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timex Q Timex Chronograph | Quartz chronograph (movement not named in source) | 40 mm | Not stated | Not stated | Domed acrylic | Not stated | Not stated | $199 strap / $219 bracelet (Timex, 2022 launch) |
| Hoffman Racing 40 Panda | Mecha-quartz (Seiko Instruments VK64) | 40 mm | 48 mm | 12 mm | Sapphire, anti-reflective | 5 ATM / 50 m | Not stated | $269 (Hoffman; sold out when checked 9 Oct 2026) |
| Newmark 6BB NP Professional Panda | Mecha-quartz (Seiko Instruments VK64A) | 38 mm nominal | 46.5 mm | 12.8 mm | Domed sapphire | 100 m static pressure | Three years (seller-stated) | £500 (Newmark seller listing) |
| Seiko Power Design Project HHK001P1 | Quartz chronograph (Seiko 8T61) | 43 mm | Not stated | 14.6 mm | Hardlex | 3 bar | Approximately three years (Seiko India) | Not stated in source |
| Seiko Speedtimer SSC911 | Solar quartz | 41.4 mm | 45.9 mm | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Six months on full charge, no light (Time+Tide, c. 2025) | US$700 (guide figure, not a live quote) |
Accuracy is stated only for two models: ±15 seconds per month for the HHK001P1 (Seiko India) and within 15 seconds per month for the SSC911 (Time+Tide). Central chronograph-hand behavior and dial-counter layout are not compared in a common test, so the layouts above come from each maker’s description.
Models excluded from the list
- Seiko Prospex Speedtimer 1972 Panda re-interpretation, SRQ047J1: The name and styling suggest a quartz model, but Seiko Boutique UK’s specification identifies an automatic 8R48 movement. It is excluded from a quartz-only list.
- Reverse panda dials: Dark dials with light counters fall outside the inclusion rule above.
Which one to choose
- Smallest case, most water resistance: the Newmark 6BB NP Professional Panda, with 38 mm nominal diameter and 100 m static-pressure rating. Check its price and edition status first.
- Lowest entry price, if still current: the Timex Q Timex Chronograph. Its 2022 launch price is a starting point only.
- Solar, no battery changes: the Seiko Speedtimer SSC911. It needs regular light exposure, and its price is a guide figure.
- Literal panda face: the Seiko HHK001P1, if you want the design to read as a panda rather than a conventional chronograph.
- Sapphire crystal and 50 m rating at 40 mm: the Hoffman Racing 40 Panda, but only once it is back in stock.
No model here is under 38 mm. If you need a strict 38 mm limit, the Newmark is the only one at that figure, and its diameter is nominal.
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Before you buy
- Check the live price and stock on the maker’s or an authorized retailer’s page. Do not rely on the prices in this article.
- Confirm the exact model and edition, especially for the Newmark, which is described as limited-edition.
- Compare the lug-to-lug length with your wrist size, not just the case diameter. The Hoffman’s 48 mm lug-to-lug and the SSC911’s 45.9 mm will feel different from the Newmark’s 46.5 mm.
- Check the crystal and water resistance against how you plan to wear the watch. Acrylic and Hardlex scratch more easily than sapphire.
- For quartz models with a battery, note the replacement interval and find a service provider who handles the movement.
Affordable panda chronographs range widely in size, crystal, and power source, and the models above show that spread. Match the model to the specification you need, then verify the price and availability.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
