Sakai joined Seiko in 2012 and has designed watches for the global market, and then for the Japanese market, including Prospex. Today, he is part of the Grand Seiko design team.

In Japanese culture, there is a practice called "mitate.” There are too many examples to list, but a typical example is "karesansui" (the Japanese rock garden). Comprising arrangements of sand, plants, rocks, etc., such gardens are designed to evoke the atmosphere of mountains and rivers, providing the viewer with a pleasant aesthetic experience. In the world of watches, too, unique names are often given to particular watches through the practice of "mitate," depending on how they are viewed. For example, a watch with a black and white dial design may be called a panda. One time I showed my son, who loves pandas, a watch called Panda and told him ”it’s a Panda.“ In response, he called it a “watch.” I was momentarily confused and, at the same time, amazed at the purity of his heart. In his mind, it was just a black and white watch. I thought to myself, “What is the essence of a panda to a panda lover?” I found myself captivated by the curious charm of the black-and-white animal. And I was driven by the desire to create a true panda watch that could capture the lovable, teddy-bear-like appearance of an actual panda.

Giant pandas are adorable creatures. Their presence is soothing, and they naturally bring a smile to your face. Many people are captivated by their distinctive appearance, facial expressions, and gestures. While I've collected panda-themed items from around the world, some don't quite capture the essence of pandas. However, this watch is delightful because it truly embodies the characteristics of pandas. What's more, it avoids a cartoonish look, which I think is a great aspect, as there are actually a lot of adults who love pandas, and so it is important to provide them with a suitable watch that they can wear without hesitation. The three-dimensionality of the panda's roundness, the white tail reminiscent of a real panda's, and the exquisite details around the mouth, including the raised corners, contribute to its charm. Xiang Xiang the panda also has a mouth with raised corners! The pattern resembling drooping eyes, the shine in those eyes, and the line from the nose to the mouth are evidence of great observation. When you wear it, it feels like it opens your mind to the mysterious ecology of pandas and their connection with people. Without a doubt, this really is a panda! It certainly wins the panda lover's seal of approval!”

The design is thoroughly imbued with panda elements, leaving no room for doubt—it is unequivocally a panda.