Carrera Panda alternatives
Hi there!
So TAG Heuer just released an absolute beauty of a watch, the Carrera 60th Anniversary, which I have fallen in love with... just not its £6100 price tag. 🤑
Obviously, I do not have the money for this watch, and I am looking for some other panda chronographs. Suddenly I've gotten a big interest in them. The Seiko SSC813 is a great looking watch, and basically one tenth of the price.
Of course, it's not the same, and it doesn't have the same beauty as the Carrera.
I am looking for suggestions that are similar to these ones, especially the TAG. Love to hear your thoughts!
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Jesper
Just got into this stuff! Fun times ahead. Anyone want to help me get a Double Red Sea-Dweller?
Norway
Member since
Last active: 3 months ago
6.89” / 17.50 cm
It’s hard to beat the Seiko at that price. There’s a few alternatives in the $2500-4500 range, but they are generally thick boys.
The Hamilton American Classic Intra-matic Chrono is pretty popular and will be a lot cheaper than the Carrera.
Tissot Heritage 1973 is another good one. I’m a bit biased as I own this one.
The Seagull is a bit of a cult classic and far far cheaper than some of the others you see around.
£6100 RRP?
knew it… noooo
I could just buy a Hublot Classic Fusion for that, and a Dan Henry if I so desperately needed a chronograph. LVMH needs to have a word with the children.
You got a good point. That's the same itch I want to scratch.
Hard to find anything similiar affordable without going the Ali Express way, but there are few who could maybe help
Soon comming from MAEN
Zeppelin
Iron Annie
Or the german microbrand Machia
Would suggest Longines Heritage Chronographs.
I said this in the other thread about these… let’s look at the prices and see. I appreciate things increase, but £6100 for that Carrera is steep, and at that price it’s odd to place it alongside the Classic Fusion and entry-level Octos if you consider the LVMH group as a whole. Tough one…
https://danhenrywatches.com/products/1964-gran-turismo-chronograph
If you would consider meca-quartz ive owned two of these (you can go date or no date and it comes with a BOR and leather strap)
The panda style chrono is so iconic isn’t it… i think the hamilton intramatic is lovely at it’s price point
It's pretty -- but I'd save $5K and go with the Hamilton.
I was going to suggest Dan Henry, same as @mattyb . But yet another good quartz option IMO is Geckota if you don't mind the square design:
Geckota Chronotimer Chronograph Watch - Classic Panda
I own the reverse panda with orange accents. It's a nice piece for the money. I don't wear chronos often, I only have 2 (out of about 30 watches), this is one of them.
The Seagull (a.k.a. Redstar) is also a fan favourite. If you go mechanical that is the best option IMO, but for the looks, Dan Henry matches it best.
The new Baltic for $1500 is definitely worth a look too.
The new Baltic for $1500 is definitely worth a look too.
That Baltic looks great.
I’ve recently gone down a Panda face rabbit hole and come to the conclusion that the Seiko pictured is the best value option, the Tudor is the best higher price tag option (wouldn’t go above that for this new TAG either, maybe with actual white or cream face instead of silver).
Baltic looks like a good middle option as well.
For my tastes of course.
Some ideas...
The Bravur La Vuelta for $2,450 - automatic Sellita
Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster for $1,795 - manual Sellita
Nivada Grenchen Datomaster for $1,795 - manual Sellita
Citizen Promaster Tsuno Chronograph for $795 - quartz Eco-drive
Straton Classic Driver / Daily Driver MK II either for $299 - quartz
Lots more out there...
Wow, nice choices. The Bravur looks fantastic!
Hanhart has 417 ES flyback column wheel panda in either 39 or 42mm for about $2500. A nice alternative with a historical company.
Beautiful piece!
Here's something I wrote a while back that might be useful :D
https://strapsco.com/top-panda-dial-chronographs/
Hahaha, that’s perfect. Gonna check it out, thanks a ton! 🥳
This is the collection of pandas in my zoo...
This is insane, well done 🤯 Gonna take a closer look at all of them!
Save and get your grail . lazer eyes !!!!! Look in a year on the second hand market or once the hype dies down . Head over heart but satisfying the heart still matters . Advice only :) my 2c ….
Great advice! I don’t have the money for one right now, so will definitely take my time. Just got into this hobby, and wrote this as a rule to myself! 😎
They are really good-looking, thanks!
The Seagull is awesome, haven’t seen that Suggess before. Looks great too
That’s a stunner! Still way out of my current budget, but will definitely check out used ones later
https://www.rotarywatches.com/GB90151-06
https://www.titoni.ch/en/collection/gents-watches/heritage.html
https://www.accurist.com/mens-watches/origin
A lot of chrono's have a modern sporty vibe, so it's cool to find one with a more traditional look:
Especially when it's not silly money.
TAG tapping into vintage HEUER design to try and sell their watches. Nothing new here
A lot of chrono's have a modern sporty vibe, so it's cool to find one with a more traditional look:
Especially when it's not silly money.
A Rotary is a good one!
even with that price tag it’s already sold out! Damn !