As many of you may well know, the A384 and A385 were practically the same watches, just with different color schemes. Zenith decided to showcase this special new movement in three watches, the A386, A385, and the A384. The El Primero came with several exciting features: its integrated automatic winding assembly, a column-wheel/horizontal clutch architecture, and an emphasis on precision and buttery-smooth sweep thanks to the 5Hz frequency. Back in 1969, Zenith was one of three brands to release automatic chronograph movements that year. Zenith introduced the Chronomaster Revival A384 to celebrate the El Primero movement’s 50th anniversary back in 2019. Oddly enough, the brand has never circled back round to the panda theme either, despite the fanbase clamoring for a bit of black on white.Īh, another much-beloved watch among the team at Fratello HQ. Still, the Apollo XI 35th Anniversary was the first time this dial combination was available worldwide. Admittedly, Omega made 300 similar watches back in 2003 for a Japanese department store called Mitsukoshi. Released as a limited edition of 3,500 pieces in 2004, the gorgeous panda dial isn’t what makes the Speedmaster Apollo XI 35th Anniversary so special either, even if it certainly helps! The attraction, for me, is that this model was only the first widely available panda dialed Speedmaster Omega ever released. It has such a clean and classy dial, and it watches like this that really make it clear why panda dials became so goddamn popular. I love looking at it, but my eyes are often drawn to this model. It has 62 different Speedmaster models on it, in order of release. I have a fantastic Omega #SpeedyTuesday poster in my home office. Still, my favorite is the Apollo XI 35th Anniversary, released in 2004. Omega is no stranger to a panda dial and has released a few different variations over the years. After having spent the last couple of weeks with one of RJ’s Speedmasters on my wrist, I’ve really been bitten by the bug. I have to start with a Speedy, really, don’t I. Omega Speedmaster Apollo XI 35th Anniversary Make sure to let me know in the comments!! I rather like writing these articles because it’s always interesting to hear what you guys would put in your “Top 5” lists. As such, I thought it’d be nice to perhaps compile a list of my favorite panda dials of all time. Those black subdials on a nice white or silver dial really add a touch of class to a watch. Especially the classic panda dial rather than the reverse version. Over the next five to ten years, the industry started seeing more and more panda and reverse panda dials from Breitling, Rolex, and Tag. Hence, the contrast factor is so important. Although technically not a true panda dial and more of a reverse panda dial, the Superocean 807 was a dive watch and, as such, designed to be legible underwater. Indeed from my research, the earliest iteration of the panda dial I can find came in the form of the Breitling Superocean Ref. The contrast of the black subdials on the white dial offers incredible legibility. 807 (Photo Credit: Fred Mandelbaum) Long live legibility! The Breitling Superocean Chronograph Ref.
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