There Are Pandas, and Then There Are Pandas.
And this isn't either of them! The Pandas we're talking about here, are watches, not bears. And what got me thinking about them (again) was a link posted this morning by @cm.rook who pointed a few of us to the very attractive (and not terribly priced) Yema "Rallygraph" Panda which, in it's most traditional arrangement, looks like the one on the left, but can also be had in the version on the right: The model on the left is a true Panda, while the model on the right is called a reverse Panda. The reason for that distinction is clear--Panda bears, only come in the first arrangement. Now at this point, everyone should be thinking about the most well-know Panda, The Rolex Panda, which is actually a Daytona, and among Rolex Daytonas, the most famous of which is the Paul Newman Daytona, which was famous first, because it was Paul's, and second because it sold at auction for $17.8 million (US Dollars). The story of that auction is well-known so I'll only...
Nov 8, 2019
See below old (ironically) and new.
Compared to my Moonwatch (left, 311.30.42.30.01.005), the 1957 Trilogy version (right, 311.10.39.30.01.001) is a bit smaller--38.6 mm vs 42 mm--and has numerous features to pay perfect tribute to the watch that started the whole line. The dial is a warmer "tropical" black and really lends to the vintage feel when paired with the cream colored lume. Watches originally made in the 50's would typically look like this today as the dial and lume would patina after exposure to the sun. Today, the technology of materials and fabrication has progressed to the point that this does not happen to such dramatic lengths, so new colored lumes were made to emulate that effect.
The steel bezel and handset are also a throwback to the original Speedy; the '57 uses broad arrows and leaf subdials instead of the sticks on the current Moonwatch. The chronograph hand is simple steel and is unlumed, and the tachymeter bezel sports the dot above 90 instead of to the right. The case also is extremely faithful to the original, it lacks the crown guards and the more exaggerated curve in the lugs. The lug-to-lug of the two watches is the same; however, the steel bezel and the smaller diameter do make the '57 version look noticeably smaller on the wrist.
The dial's Speedmaster signature is in the original font, it omits the "Professional" text that was introduced in 1964, and the Omega logo is applied instead of painted. Legibility is a bit less clear because the contrast between black and steel/cream is less dramatic than the contrast between black/white. I also think the bracelet is extremely well made, and it feels actually a bit more comfortable than the one on the current Moonwatch.
Overall, both great watches that fulfill two different aesthetics, but I'm so glad he found something he loved and is now a member of the Speedy family.