The Pink Panther makes its first appearance on a Seiko watch

Text by Ana Franco.

In recent years, we have seen a long list of characters created by cartoonists appear on watch faces: Snoopy (with and without his friend Woodstock), Homer Simpson (with and without his yellow family), Popeye, Mickey Mouse… Since making the leap from paper to popular culture, they are everywhere. The Pink Panther has just joined this illustrious list, enlivening the dial of a new Seiko, the 5 Sports Pink Panther SRPM07.

On this occasion, the footprints appearing on the dial are those of the Pink Panther, a character who came into being when film director Blake Edwards commissioned American animator Friz Freleng to create the opening and closing credits for the 1963 comedy film The Pink Panther. Starring Peter Sellers as Inspector Jacques Clouseau, the film told the story of a memorable jewellery theft. Such was the success of the feline, silent but striking in colour, that he later starred in an Oscar-winning short film. The jazz music composed by Henry Mancini to accompany the Panther is legendary.

The fact is that this charismatic and fun figure is now making its way into Seiko‘s affordable 5 Sports SKX line, colouring a limited edition of 9,999 steel watches with a diameter of 38 mm pink. The nylon strap features the same footprints and reads “Wet Paint” on the tip, just like in the original animation. The same font is used for the numbers on the unidirectional bezel with metal insert, which frames a Hardlex crystal. And you can choose a three-link steel bracelet to replace the fabric strap.

Both the hour markers and hands feature luminescent material, as does the day and date display at 3 o’clock. The back of the case, water-resistant to approximately 100 metres, is printed with one of the scenes from the series, featuring the Panther hidden against a pink wall. The Calibre 4R36, an automatic movement, powers the watch and provides a 41-hour power reserve. The watch will go on sale in January 2026 at a price of €460.