Exactly what is a Panda?

[mbrown55]

since all nicknames are just that, nicknames, please don't get snarky with your answers because they will just be individual opinions, possibly supported by consensus opinions or not.
My question is what is considered a Rolex Panda. My cursory internet searches have found that generally speaking a panda dial is a chronograph with white dial and black contrasting subdials, both solid black and ringed in black. There are several manufacturers of this type of watch, not just Rolex. I have heard the platinum daytona called the Platona and specific models named for celebrities who owned them, e.g. Paul Newman. But the usage of Panda seems to apply to many different submodels.

It would seem that the current SS 116500LN with white dial is a Panda.

ok let the bloodletting begin.

[Zakalwe]

Big black and white bear thingy from China. Seems desperate to go extinct since it doesn’t really like food and is scared of shagging.










(Where’s my coat?)

[AEC]

I think most watch enthusiasts consider a chronograph dial that is white with black sub-dials to be a Panda dial. I'm not sure the Rolex enthusiast community considers a white 116500LN dial to be such because the sub-dials are only ringed, and not solid black.

[MinMay]

The 116500 ceramic white is NOT a panda. If the face is white then the sundial needs to be solid black...not just a black ring.

[jb335]

White dial, full black subdials = Panda
Black dial, full white subdials = Reverse Panda

[ArtNouveau]

This is a Panda dial, the white 500 dial is not. Rolex hasn't made an SS Panda dial since the 4 digits.

[AEC]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

...it doesn’t really like food and is scared of shagging.

Maybe this is why they're a bit mean, too

[ap1]

D5 is not a panda as these guys said

[Marlboro.]

The true panda is a white dial with solid black sub-dials, although a lot of people do call the blacked ringed sub-dials pandas as well, which is not technically correct.

[AK797]

Panda has black subdials not rings for me, and reverse Panda is with white subdials. The rings in AP parlance is an owl dial, esp when only two subdials, and a surprised owl when three.

[Coopdog]

I think technically the current 116500 white is not a panda but I still called it a panda once in front of my wife and now she always tells me she wants a panda watch. She knows nothing about Rolex or watches, she just likes the way that one looks and thinks it’s cute that “we” call “that watch” a “nickname.”

So according to my wife the 116500 white is the only watch that is considered a panda.


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[KBM]

Originally Posted by mbrown55

generally speaking a panda dial is a chronograph with white dial and black contrasting subdials

Yes. That said, I have no problem with the white D500 being called a panda.

[Keepchasing]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

This is a Panda dial, the white 500 dial is not. Rolex hasn't made an SS Panda dial since the 4 digits.

Thought the 6 digit 116523 arabic numerals, white dial, was a Panda.
At least that was what I was reading on here a few years ago.

[mbrown55]

just as i thought. thanks for the responses. So from now on I will call the green wimbledon dial, roman numeral, purple bezel, aligator strap airking the panda. lol

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by Keepchasing

Thought the 6 digit 116523 arabic numerals, white dial, was a Panda.
At least that was what I was reading on here a few years ago.

I noted SS (stainless steel) in my post.

[mbrown55]

thats a nice looking piece

[Wedders]

The “panda” is a generic term not related to any make.

[77T]

There are all sorts of opinions but I would say the majority of people consider that any chronograph dial, of any color, on any watch brand, that has 3 subdials, in full contrasting color, is a panda.

Contrasting chapter rings on the subdials is not generally considered a panda.


A Panda...





Not a Panda...






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[Coopdog]

Originally Posted by 77T

There are all sorts of opinions but I would say the majority of people consider that any chronograph dial, of any color, on any watch brand, that has 3 subdials, in full contrasting color, is a panda.

Contrasting chapter rings on the subdials is not generally considered a panda.


A Panda...





Not a Panda...






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Would this be a reverse panda in your definition? I think so.




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[glamorama]

Originally Posted by Keepchasing

Thought the 6 digit 116523 arabic numerals, white dial, was a Panda.

At least that was what I was reading on here a few years ago.

Yes those are pandas but not SS (are TT).

[s14roller]

Never heard of a widely known unofficial Panda nickname for a Rolex.

[FreshPrince14]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Big black and white bear thingy from China. Seems desperate to go extinct since it doesn’t really like food and is scared of shagging.










(Where’s my coat?)

I'm still laughing at this

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[ltmgeller]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Big black and white bear thingy from China. Seems desperate to go extinct since it doesn’t really like food and is scared of shagging.










(Where’s my coat?)

Was thinking the same thing

[77T]

Originally Posted by Coopdog

Would this be a reverse panda in your definition? I think so.




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No a it’s a Panda. Contrast is the issue


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[77T]

Originally Posted by s14roller

Never heard of a widely known unofficial Panda nickname for a Rolex.

You have some searching to do methinks.

It is the dial that’s called Panda - not the watch model itself.


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[Coopdog]

Originally Posted by 77T

No a it’s a Panda. Contrast is the issue


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A typical panda is obviously white dial with full black sub dials and a reverse panda is typically black dial with full white sub dials. I feel like a black dial with gold sub dials is more like a reverse than a panda but what is your rationale? I’ve never had a good answer for non black and white dials.


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[77T]

Contrasting colors - light subdials against a dark dial; or vice-versa.

Remember everyone’s going to have an opinion. Some may be literally back or white - others are more color compliant.


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[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by AK797

The rings in AP parlance is an owl dial, esp when only two subdials, and a surprised owl when three.

[brandrea]

IMO the only true panda is white with black sub dials.

[exador]

Panda vs Daytona