Hemel Sky Racer — 43mm Hand-Wound Panda Chronograph (ST19)
The watch
Built around a panda dial, the Hemel Sky Racer pairs a 43mm case with a hand-wound mechanical chronograph movement. Expect 50m water resistance and a sapphire crystal. We place it at Hour V (Chronograph) of the Expedition season, for active days that need a stopwatch on the wrist.
Built with the League of Microbrands, the Sky Racer re-cases the celebrated hand-wound Seagull ST19 column-wheel chronograph in a bold cushion case. The panda dial adds an unexpected sandpaper texture and beautifully finished details — heritage racing-chronograph attitude with a modern edge.
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 is driven by the Seagull ST19, a hand-wound mechanical chronograph you wind by the crown, delivering the classic feel and heritage of a vintage racing chronograph.
It carries a 50m rating, so it is splash and rain resistant and fine for hand-washing, but it is 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.
The Sky Racer wears a classic panda chronograph dial with contrasting subdials and a textured finish for a motorsport look, protected by a box sapphire crystal with AR coating.
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
Put this Full Lume White model onto a 22mm gray nylon strap for long Alaska summer days, and it wears lighter on my wrist. The glowing panda dial is awesome. My only minor critique is the small sub-dial numerals are a little tough to read without my reading glasses.
Thanks, Frank! Pairing the Full Lume White dial with a grey nylon strap sounds like a great combo for Anchorage.
The Raceway Green accents look even richer in person than in the photos, and the 43mm size feels comfortable on my wrist for weekend errands. Only My only minor gripe is that the leather strap was a little stiff out of the box before working it around a few times.
Thanks for the feedback, Conner! Glad the leather softened up after a few wears.
I wear a lot of navy and charcoal suits, and the Navy Blue Sky Racer pairs with them naturally while still having some personality. The box sapphire and textured panda dial catch the light nicely across a conference table.
The Midnight Black Sky Racer nails the classic 1960s racing chronograph aesthetic. Between the tachymeter scale on the bezel, the textured white dial with black sub-registers, and the crisp column-wheel snap of the hand-wound ST19 pushers, it's a blast to wear on weekend drives.
Wore the Classic Blue model out at the lake cabin all weekend. The box sapphire crystal and blue panda registers are super clear in bright sun, and the 50m rating handles splashes around the dock. When winding or shaking it in a dead-quiet room you can hear a faint mechanical tick and spring noise, which is normal for the ST19.
Thanks for the review, Conner! That mechanical heartbeat from the ST19 is definitely part of its vintage charm.
Swapped the Full Lume White Sky Racer onto a 22mm black rally leather strap with racing perforations, and it looks like it stepped right out of pit lane at Sebring. The 43mm case fits my wrist well, and the entire white panda dial glows bright in the dark.
The Raceway Green sub-dials and bezel against the white panda dial add a subtle pop of color under a sport coat during client lunches. Despite the 43mm diameter, the lug curve lets it sit nicely on my wrist. Shipping carrier delayed the box by two days, though the watch itself is great.
Sorry about the carrier delay, Terry, and thank you for your patience! That Raceway Green panda dial looks great with a sport coat.
Bought the Navy Blue Sky Racer for my dad's 70th birthday. He has larger wrists like me and the 43mm case with the metallic blue sub-registers and bezel looks right at home on him. He was thrilled with the hand-wound mechanical movement.
Gave the Midnight Black 43mm Sky Racer to my older brother for his retirement party in Boca. He loves winding the mechanical ST19 movement and showing off the reverse-panda sub-dials. Though the lume is decent for a few hours after dinner but fades overnight.
