Wancher
Wancher Mechanical Chronograph II (Cream Panda Dial)
A vintage-inspired manual chronograph powered by the legendary Seagull ST1901 column-wheel movement.
- Current Market Value
- $480
- Year
- 2024
- Case
- 316L Stainless Steel
- Size
- 40 mm
- Gender
- Men / Unisex
- Acquired
- 2025
Why I bought it
I'm generally not a fan of chronographs. Don't get me wrong... if someone gave me a Paul Newman Daytona, I certainly wouldn't give it back. But I'd never go out and buy one. Even the Omega Speedmaster, an iconic watch from a brand I genuinely love, sits pretty low on my wish list. Then again, if you happen to have a nice Mark II at the right price, I'd definitely be tempted. The only chronographs in my collection are the TDBK automatic jumping hour models, but that's a completely different story. This Wancher is the exception. I simply think it's a beautiful watch, and the fact that it's made by a small microbrand only adds to its charm.
Inspired by the golden age of 1960s and 1970s motorsport chronographs, this Wancher combines classic panda styling with one of today's most respected affordable mechanical chronograph movements. Inside beats the hand-wound Seagull ST1901, a column-wheel chronograph descended from the historic Swiss Venus 175, admired by enthusiasts for its smooth pusher action and traditional architecture. Rather than relying on quartz or automatic winding, it offers the daily ritual of hand winding and the visual appeal of a fully mechanical chronograph, making it an engaging watch to wear as well as to admire through its display back. (Wancher Watch)
From Instagram
I'm usually not a fan of chronographs, but every now and then one comes along that just clicks. This Wancher was one of those watches. Wancher is a small Japanese brand best known for its handcrafted fountain pens, but it has also produced a handful of mechanical watches in small numbers. This model pairs a vintage-inspired cream "panda" dial with bold Arabic numerals, black sub-dials, and a rotating bezel, giving it plenty of character without trying too hard. It's quite different from the watches I usually collect, which is probably why it appealed to me. Sometimes a watch doesn't have to fit the collection's theme perfectly—it just has to make you smile every time you put it on.