I love the fact that they pump pushers, and not a screw-down pusher like some more modern iterations, as I found those to be cumbersome and annoying to use, having to unscrew them every time you want to use the chronograph function. The Neo70s, on the other hand, has a creamy off-white dial that has some very subtle vertical texturing to it that’s nearly unnoticeable except upon close inspection.

It’s not an automatic watch, so you’ll have to hand wind it every day or so, to keep the watch running, but to some, that’s part of the charm of owning a mechanical timepiece. The domed crystal adds some distortion and visual interest when viewing the watch at an angle, and certainly adds to the vintage charm. After showcasing the premium-grade and highly expensive Rolex Daytona Cosmograph, let us slow it down with one of the most budget-friendly and stylish panda dial watches in circulation today – the Invicta Speedway. Inspired by racing watches from the ’60s, they’ve stood the test of time, and continue to be classic watch designs that will be emulated for years to come. Now my pet hate – those damned push buttons, which will foul up with regular wearing in 2 or 3 years.

Underneath ‘Chronograph’ reads ’10 bar’ which demonstrates the 100m water resistance, which is actually quite good for a chronograph. They, unfortunately, don’t have the most tactile feel, like if you were comparing it to the feel of a fully mechanical chronograph watch. In short, a panda dial is a light-colored dial (often in white or silver, cream in this case) with much darker sub dials. Go for something with a bit of shine if you are trying to dress the watch up, or something with a more matte finish if you plan to wear the watch more casually. Come join the discussion about watch collections, displays, watch winders, accessories, classifieds, and more!

All watches, likeness, and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of RX SA, Audemars Piguet, Seiko Holdings Corporation, Orient Watch Company Limited, respectively. This is another high-end luxury timepiece that focuses more on delivering a more robust appearance than the typical elegant aesthetics of a luxury watch. We welcome all manufacturers including Casio G-Shock, OMEGA, Rolex, Breitling, Rolex and Tudor, Seiko, Grand Seiko and others. The Rolex Daytona in two main variations: the standard panda dial (white base with black accents) and the reverse panda dial (black base with white accents). When it comes to vintage chronograph watches, Orient’s vintage chronograph watch collection are definitely worth looking into.The original is highly sought after by watch collectors for its strong history as well as its classic design. Personally, I think the watch would’ve been better off without including the date window at all, or at least to have the option to purchase it with or without. I also think having a smaller subdial at the bottom is an interesting choice, and personally, I like it, as I already own a few chronographs that have three perfectly symmetrical subdials, so this makes this watch that much more different and special to me. I came across this beauty, the Orient Neo70s, (model wv0041tx), a solar chronograph with a meca-quartz movement, and a gorgeous panda dial. As for the Neo 70’s functionality – it uses a high-precision Seiko solar quartz movement which provides it not only with reliability but also longevity.

It also has a slightly domed acrylic crystal which adds some nice distortion and visual interest at different viewing angles and helps add to the ‘vintage’ aesthetic. To summarize the panda dial alternatives available, however, the Parnis Daytona is one that comes to mind, paying blatant homage to the iconic and modern Rolex Daytona, at a fraction of the cost. I’ve also worn the Orient Neo70s on a rally-style rubber strap in the summer since it’s very comfortable even in the warmest temperatures.

Personally, I removed it nearly as soon as I got the watch, opting for one of many other strap choices that suit the watch that much better. Personally, I would have much preferred a larger chronograph subdial than the 24-hour subdial, which, in my opinion, . On a reverse panda dial, the main dial is a much darker color, usually black, than the sub-dials, usually white/cream. This is an impressive chronograph watch and with its panda dial, it certainly manages to come full circle in both design and performance. The 44mm diameter case is made from brushed black PVD titanium steel which is partnered up with a sturdy and comfortable rubber band with deployment clasp.