Hemel Sky Racer Automatic — 43mm Panda Chronograph (SL4617)
The watch
The Hemel Sky Racer Automatic is a 43mm chronograph with a panda dial, powered by an automatic chronograph movement. Expect 50m water resistance and a sapphire crystal. It belongs to Hour V, Chronograph, in our Expedition season: a natural choice for motorsport fans and aviation enthusiasts.
The automatic Sky Racer trades hand-winding for an integrated Peacock SL4617 self-winding chronograph — a modern take on the ETA/Valjoux 7750 architecture, prized for robust construction, reliable timing and serviceability. Same bold cushion case and sandpaper-textured panda dial, now with the convenience of automatic winding.
43mm polished-and-brushed 316L steel, box sapphire with AR coating, 50m water resistance, ceramic 120-click bezel, sapphire-window caseback. New, boxed and warrantied — free US shipping.
Good to know
It runs the Peacock SL4617, an automatic (self-winding) mechanical chronograph that winds from wrist motion - no manual winding or battery needed for daily wear.
It carries a 50m rating, so it is splash and rain resistant and fine for hand-washing, but not intended for swimming or submersion.
The case measures 43mm — a bold size that suits larger wrists (roughly 17.5 cm / 6.9 in and up). Our watch size guide (/pages/watch-size-guide) explains how to measure your wrist.
It wears a classic panda chronograph dial with contrasting subdials and a textured finish, protected by a box sapphire crystal with AR coating - vintage racing style with an automatic heart.
On the ChronoSeasons dial it sits at Hour V — Chronograph, part of the Expedition season, and suits driving days, flights and timing anything that matters. It also appears in our Pilot & Aviation edit.
Yes. This Hemel is sourced through Shopify Collective and Hemel's verified channel, so it ships brand-new, boxed and backed by a 2-year limited warranty. US orders include free insured shipping.
From the journal
Owners say
The stark panda contrast and box sapphire crystal make this easy to read in bright California sunshine when I'm out on the patio or walking the coast. Put it on a third-party butterfly deployant clasp, which lacks half-step adjustments so it feels slightly snug in humid weather, but the watch head is fantastic.
Thanks for the note, Juan! That high-contrast panda dial really shines in bright coastal sun.
Took this 43mm Sky Racer Automatic up to Road America for a vintage racing weekend. The high-contrast black sub-registers against the textured white panda dial and the tachymeter bezel scream classic 1970s motorsport, and the automatic SL4617 pushers have a firm start-stop snap.
Road America is the natural habitat for the Sky Racer, Gregory! Thanks for sharing.
I was a little skeptical spending $700 on a microbrand automatic chronograph, but the finishing on this 43mm case and box sapphire crystal is seriously impressive. The SL4617 column-wheel action feels crisp. My only minor wish is one extra micro-adjustment hole on the buckle for hot Kentucky afternoons.
Appreciate the honest review, Vincent! Glad the SL4617 movement and case finishing won you over.
Bought the Sky Racer Automatic for my husband's 35th birthday. He is a total car guy and notoriously picky about his watches, so I was nervous ordering online, but he flipped over the textured panda dial and automatic chronograph movement. He wears it almost every day.
Happy 35th to your husband, Laura! You picked a classic with that textured panda dial.
43mm Panda case fits my wrist great. Crisp chronograph pushers and fast shipping.
Thanks for the support, Eric! Glad the 43mm Sky Racer Automatic fits your wrist so well.
This 43mm Panda dial looks even better in natural daylight than on the screen, with a subtle texture on the white face and dark recessed sub-registers. Wore it to a casual dinner on Friday and got two compliments on it.
