Panda dials have been gaining a lot of attention lately, and for all the right reasons. Panda is not a nickname that is associated with one watch. Instead, it is a word that refers to the watches featuring a white dial with black sub-dials. These watches feature a close resemblance to the animal’s looks. Here’s everything you need to know about panda dials.
Panda dial vs Reverse Panda dial
Before we discuss more about panda dials, the most important thing to understand is that there are two panda dials. While the regular panda dial features a white dial with black sub-dials, the reverse panda does exactly the opposite. On a reverse panda dial, the dial is black and it is complemented with a set of white sub-dials.
The most popular models featuring a panda dial
Panda dials are not patented or restricted to just one company. Instead, panda dials can be found on many sports watches. Most of these watches are chronographs, as having a black sub-dial on a white dial watch only makes sense on a chronograph. While the most popular pick is the Rolex Daytona panda, there are other options available as well. Here’s a list of all panda dial watches you can buy.
Rolex Daytona Panda
Rolex Daytona Panda has a white dial option that features black outlining on its sub-dials. The watch is crafted out of stainless steel and is regarded as one of the most sought-after watches offered by Rolex. The watch is not actually called Daytona Panda, and it is just a nickname that got associated with it due to the color of its dial.
The reference 116500LN is not the first Daytona reference to feature a panda dial. That crown goes to the Paul Newman Daytona. It is one of the most popular vintage Rolex models of all time, and it features a panda dial.
If you are looking for the Rolex watch in Dubai for the Daytona Panda, you will be amused by two different types of prices. The retail price of the watch has been set at AED 59,250. However, the pricing is different in the secondary market. On the second-hand market, a brand-new unworn Rolex Daytona Panda is currently exchanging hands for around AED 125,000.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
For those who love panda-inspired dials on their watches, Audemars Piguet also has something on offer for you. Audemars Piguet released a variant of the Royal Oak Chronograph back in 2009 that features a white dial paired with three black sub-dials. It closely resembles a panda bear with the use of such a color combination.
AP Royal Oak Chronograph features a 39mm dial and it is powered by an in-house mechanical movement. Audemars Piguet even has a reverse panda variant of the watch that looks a bit more subtle while still maintaining the panda theme.
If you are looking for a brand-new AP Royal Oak Chronograph featuring a panda dial, you can go in with the reference 26240BC.GG.1324BC.01. The watch features a frosted white gold case and bracelet. It is currently available for a retail price of AED 290,000. On the secondary market, the same is exchanging hands for around AED 600,000.
Omega Speedmaster Chronograph
Panda dials would not have been possible without the existence of chronograph watches. Omega Speedmaster is a watch that cannot go unmentioned when talking about chronographs. As luck would have it, Omega even has panda dial watches. The reference 326.30.40.50.04.001 Omega Speedmaster Racing features a white dial and has black sub-dials. Further complementing the panda look, the watch even features yellow seconds hands.
Made out of stainless steel, the Omega Speedmaster watch comes with a 40mm case and is powered by an automatic movement.
The watch is no longer available for sale directly at Omega stores. However, you can buy one from the secondary market for a price of just AED 12,000.
Zenith El Primero
When looking at panda dials, one of the most enticing options is the Zenith El Primero. One of the more recent additions is the reference 24.2041.400/01.R576. It features a silver dial featuring black sub-dials. All the black sub-dials are placed in a way that they create a highly attractive combination. On top of that, it features a matte black case.
The Zenith El Primero is also available in ref. 24.2041.400/21.R576 that features a black dial and white sub-dials, giving it the nickname – reverse panda.
The reference 24.2041.400/01.R576 Zenith El Primero Panda is available for a price of AED 35,000. But one can get it at a more reasonable price from the secondary market where these are available for around AED 25,000.
TAG Heuer Autavia
TAG Heuer is yet another brand that makes panda dial watches. The popular Autavia chronograph series hosts a timepiece that features a silver dial and two black sub-dials. It is an immensely popular timepiece and has gained its reputation for a stunning design. The Autavia is powered by the Calibre Heuer02 COSC Flyback movement.
At retail, you can find it for around AED 26,400.
Should you buy a panda dial watch?
Panda dial watches are nothing exquisite or must-have in a collection. However, if you are a watch enthusiast, you should at least own one of the aforementioned panda dials watches. On the other hand, if you are a watch collector, you should definitely try and get your hands on one of the most popular panda dial watches of all time, the Rolex Daytona Paul Newman.
