Bringing the spirit of fun back into the fold, Seiko’s latest limited edition watch has merged the beloved Pink Panther franchise with Japanese watchmaking!
Seiko is a brand that has never been shy about collaborating with others. In the year that has since passed, it has dipped its toes into several arenas beyond horological culture. From celebrating V8 Supercars to promoting marine conservation, the Japanese powerhouse has used these team-ups to become one of the most ubiquitous watch brands of all time.
Instrumental to Seiko’s immense reach is the Seiko 5 Sports series. Introduced in 1963 and resurrected in 2019, Seiko 5 Sports set a new benchmark for the price-to-quality ratio in the entry-level space. Combining reliability with clean aesthetics, it became Seiko’s canvas for experimentation, storytelling, and, as you might expect, pop culture collaborations. Typically, these have centred on Japanese IPs such as One Piece or Naruto, with the occasional Australian special edition appearing along the way. This time, however, things are a little different, with Seiko recently unveiling a new limited edition in collaboration with The Pink Panther.
Coincidentally introduced in the same year as the original Seiko 5 models, The Pink Panther is a pop culture landmark that has delivered memorable mysteries and plenty of laughs throughout its long tenure. Central to the story is the oft-stolen Pink Panther diamond, eventually recovered by the comedically inept Inspector Jacques Clouseau.
At once nostalgic, humorous, and visually striking, the watch is designed to brighten everyday life. It does so by injecting colour, personality, and a sense of joy into the wearer’s daily routine.
Measuring 38mm wide, 44.2mm long, and 12.1mm thick, the Seiko 5 x Pink Panther is housed in a universally wearable and robust stainless steel case. Naturally, the main attraction is hard to ignore, as the dial is rendered in a bold, joyful shade of pink.
Across its surface, a faint trail of Pink Panther footprints runs upward from the lower portion of the dial. The watch draws particular inspiration from the animated short The Pink Phink, a 1964 cartoon in which an anthropomorphic Pink Panther repeatedly paints The Little Man’s house pink.
The pink theme continues across the bezel and becomes even more apparent when the watch is turned over. The translucent caseback features a memorable scene from The Pink Phink, showing the Pink Panther hiding against a pink wall or peering mischievously through “paint”.
As a limited edition of 9,999 pieces, each watch carries its individual model number around the caseback edge. The package is rounded out with two strap options: a stainless steel bracelet or a bright pink nylon NATO strap, complete with additional panther footprints and a ‘WET PAINT’ text that once again references The Pink Phink.
As with most models in the range, the Seiko 5 x Pink Panther is powered by the ever-dependable Calibre 4R36 automatic movement. Offering a 41-hour power reserve and a 3Hz (21,600VpH) beat rate, the 4R36 also adds day and date functionality. Known for its durability and ease of ownership, the movement ensures the watch remains a true everyday companion rather than a purely referential novelty.
My Thoughts
I’m sure you know the feeling when certain films and shows become part of your family’s in-joke lexicon. There are very few days that go by without my family quoting something from Tropic Thunder, The Love Guru, Austin Powers, or just about any episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.
Among that list of endlessly quotable films is the 2006 remake of The Pink Panther. The scene in which Steve Martin’s Clouseau declares hamburgers a “disgusting American food” in a phoney French accent has forever been etched into my childhood memory. I must admit, though, that I haven’t revisited the film since I was young, but something tells me I’d still enjoy it, even nearly two decades after its release.
In any case, the Seiko 5 Sports x Pink Panther collaboration might just be one of my favourites the brand has ever done. Once again, I’m not entirely sold on the idea of a 9,999-piece limited edition, but I’m sure it will resonate with plenty of others who shared the same sense of joy when first encountering any part of the Pink Panther franchise. So why not indulge your inner child and see if you can snag one for yourself?
Reference: SRPM07K
Specifications
- Dimensions: 38mm case diameter x 44.2mm lug-to-lug x 12.1mm thick
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Pink with panther footprints
- Movement: Automatic Cal. 4R36 with day & date complications
- Beat Rate: 3Hz (21,600VpH)
- Power Reserve: 41h
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Strap: Stainless steel bracelet OR Pink textured nylon NATO strap with steel buckle