The Classic Panda Chronograph is a bold new addition to our range of chronograph racing watches. If you go back to the beginning, our first iteration of the C-01 – released back in 2017 – was inspired by the greatest racing watches of the 1960s, featuring round subdials with a stopwatch function, 24-hour timer, and contrasting tachymeter.
But time moves on and we wanted to take Geckota in a slightly different design direction. Taking vintage elements from our previous models and reintroduce them with a modern take establishing the Geckota design ethos that we still use today.
In 2018, we started to work on the second generation of this watch. Although the original model was one of our bestsellers, we knew we could make it better by applying design techniques that help us stand out. We strengthened the hour markers by making them thicker and adding lume to the tips. We also swapped the round subdials for a shape that resembled the cushion case of the actual watch and substituted the movement in favour of one with a running seconds hand, the reliable Miyota 6S21. We added the distinctive crosshair that you can also see on our best selling Pioneer model, as well as incorporating some text at the six o’clock position to better balance the dial layout. Lastly, we gave the watch a raised and chamfered tachymeter scale. The result of these pates gives us a watch that is unmistakeably Geckota.
Now in 2022, we wanted to offer something unique, while making sure the watch was still very much a Chronotimer. We decided to strip the design back to its simplest form, putting legibility at the forefront, and featuring a new monochromatic look with incredible contrast between the dial and sub-dials for impeccable clarity. Unlike the sunburst dials of the Aurora models, we’ve opted for a matte dial finish, allowing dial markers to stand out at any viewing angle.
The new model is the perfect chronograph for lovers of traditional racing watches, available in either a traditional Panda or Reverse Panda design and is available on a choice of leather straps.
The Classic Panda Chronograph benefits from a double dome sapphire crystal and a fully polished 316L stainless steel 42mm ‘cushion’ case, a standout watch with vintage racing-watch design cues with modern specs. A reliable Miyota 6S21 Quartz movement ensures incredible accuracy, powering the dial and subdials tracking elapsed seconds and minutes. A screw-down crown also enables a water-resistance rating of 100 meters (10ATM) and every Geckota watch also comes with a 2-year warranty.
This article was updated in June 2023 to refer to the watch with the new name "Chronotimer".
