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
A co-worker of mine has two Lupha's similar to this one, just in different colors. The Lupha is such a unique looking watch with it's oversized dome crystal showing off all the dial details. At first I was a bit put-off by the skewed hour markers / numbers but I've come to love them over the time of my ownership. The lines, ridges, and diamond shaped textures detailed on the surface of the dial adds a hint of class to what some see as just another oversized watch.
This Lupha came with a few extra 24mm leather straps which I have yet to try because I like this watch with the supplied black strap against the gold dial the best. There is a blue dial version of this Lupha that I really wanted but I was unable to find one NEW in my price range or used in good condition. But that was then, now I have my sights set on the Invicta Lupha Automatic 24031, once again stay tuned!
As with my Lupha 14199 featured yesterday, I get plenty of looks when wearing this watch. Some seem shocked by it's size, others lured by that big domed crystal - either way it's well received.
NOTE: The Invicta website list this watch as having a caliber VD54 movement but I believe that information is incorrect. I'm sure the movement is actually the ISA cal.9238/1970 quartz chronograph movement from China.
Movement: ISA cal.9238/1970 China Quartz Chronograph Movement
Complications: Date, Day, GMT 24hr
Case: 44.5mm Tonneau Polished Stainless Steel
Case Thicknesses: 19mm
Crystal: Domed Scratch Resistant Flame Fusion
Band: 24mm Genuine Leather
WR: 30-meter