Sugess 1963 Panda Pilot Chronograph Watch — ST1901, 38mm or 40mm, Swanneck Option

Sugess 1963 Panda Pilot Chronograph Watch — ST1901, 38mm or 40mm, Swanneck Option

The Sugess 1963 Panda Pilot Chronograph is a hand-wound ST1901 column-wheel mechanical chronograph in a vintage pilot watch format — available in 38mm and 40mm case sizes, in standard and swanneck regulator versions, with panda dial (white dial, black sub-dials) and champagne dial options. Sapphire crystal, luminous hands and markers, exhibition caseback, genuine leather strap or stainless steel bracelet, 30m water resistance.

Ten configurations total spanning two case sizes, three dial colours and two movement versions.

Key Specifications

Variants — Ten Configurations

38mm

38 White normal / 38 White swanneck: Panda dial (white field, black sub-dials) in standard and swanneck versions.

38 Champagne normal / 38 Champagne swanneck: Champagne or ivory dial in standard and swanneck versions. The champagne dial is the warmer, more vintage-referencing option — closer to the aged ivory of original 1960s chronograph dials.

38 Black normal / 38 Black swanneck: Black dial in standard and swanneck versions. The highest-contrast configuration — white markers and panda-style registers on a black field.

40mm

40 White normal / 40 White swanneck: Panda dial at 40mm in standard and swanneck versions.

40 Champagne normal / 40 Champagne swanneck: Champagne dial at 40mm in standard and swanneck versions.

38mm vs 40mm — Which to Choose

The 1963 Panda is the only Sugess ST1901 chronograph available in two case sizes. The 38mm is one of the smallest mechanical pilot chronographs available at this price — appropriate for wrists below approximately 16.5cm where a 40mm case would appear oversized. The 40mm is the standard pilot watch proportional format for wrists from 16.5cm upward.

Both share the same 12.5mm thickness and ST1901 movement. The choice is purely wrist fit.

Panda Dial

The panda dial is the classic motorsport and aviation chronograph configuration: white main dial with contrasting black sub-dial registers. The name “panda” comes from the black-and-white colour contrast — the black chronograph sub-dials (running seconds, 30-minute counter) stand out against the white field in a pattern that the panda bear’s eye markings visually echo.

The panda dial creates maximum contrast and is the single most legible chronograph layout available — each sub-dial reads clearly at a glance and the contrast is maintained in all lighting conditions. The red-tipped chronograph central seconds hand adds the third colour accent, providing instant identification of which hand is the active chronograph indicator.

Champagne Dial

The champagne dial uses a warm ivory or light gold-cream field rather than bright white. The champagne tone references the aged patina of original 1960s chronograph dials — many vintage watches from this era have warm cream dials that have shifted from their original white over decades of light exposure. A new champagne dial reproduces this warm vintage tone intentionally. For buyers who find pure white too cold or contemporary, champagne is the historically appropriate alternative.

Swanneck Regulator

The swanneck adds the curved fine-adjustment spring visible through the exhibition caseback — the same upgrade available on the S365, S465, SU1908 and other Sugess chronographs. For the 1963 Panda specifically, the swanneck version’s caseback display is enhanced by the golden bridges and blued screws of the ST1901 architecture creating a complete decorated movement view.

How It Compares to the Sugess S457 Panda

The Sugess S457 Chrono Heritage Panda has 1,621 impressions at position 14.85 — your established panda chronograph page. The 1963 Panda and S457 need to be clearly differentiated to avoid cannibalisation. Before publishing, check the S457 page for its specific movement and dial layout and ensure the content of each page clearly states the distinguishing features. The 1963 Panda’s primary differentiators are the military 1963 heritage reference, the dual case size availability (38mm and 40mm) and the ST1901 column-wheel movement.

How It Compares Within the Sugess ST1901 Range

vs. Sugess S365 ST1901 Chrono — The S365 has turquoise and navy racing dials at 40mm on leather. The 1963 Panda is the panda/champagne dial alternative in both 38mm and 40mm with the military heritage reference and bracelet option.

vs. Sugess ST19 1963 Racing Chrono — Both reference the 1963 Air Force chronograph with the ST19/ST1901 movement. The 1963 Racing has the full colour range (teal blue, ivory, orange accents) at 40mm. The 1963 Panda is the clean panda/champagne dial version with 38mm option and bracelet availability.

vs. Seestern S443 ST1901 Chrono — The Seestern uses ST1901 with 3D lume on rubber strap in colour variants. The 1963 Panda is the classic panda dial alternative with bracelet option.

Who Is the Sugess 1963 Panda For?

The 1963 Panda is built for:

• 38mm wrist buyers who want a military-heritage hand-wound panda chronograph — the 38mm option is rare in this category
• Champagne dial preference buyers who want the warm vintage ivory rather than pure white panda
• Bracelet option buyers in the ST1901 range — the steel bracelet is not available on the S365 or 1963 Racing
• Collectors who want the closest approximation to the original 1963 Chinese Air Force chronograph dial format

More from Jewelry Addicts

• Sugess S457 Chrono Heritage Panda — established panda chronograph page, 1,621 impressions
• Sugess ST19 1963 Racing Chrono — same movement, colour racing dial variants
• Sugess S365 ST1901 Chrono — ST1901 turquoise and navy racing dials
• Seestern S443 ST1901 Chrono — ST1901 colour accents on rubber
• Best Automatic Watches Under $200 — full roundup