Something is brewing on the horizon in the sandy desert of Dakar – is it a mirage? No, it’s the unmistakable curves of a Porsche, still clear through the sandstorm. But this is not just any Porsche speeding through the metres-high dunes. In the scorching heat, you can recognise the new Porsche 911 Dakar. The new Porsche 911 Dakar is a homage to the original model and revives some Porsche history. To introduce this car in their own way, Porsche Design is presenting the Chronograph 1 – 911 Dakar and the 911 Dakar Rally Design Edition, two timepieces that can withstand any sandstorm thanks to a watchmaking premiere and thus doing justice to their motorised counterparts.
The Dakar Rally, one of the last great adventures, is considered the most important long-distance and desert rally in the world. It was held once a year from 1978 to 2007, mostly on the African continent. A marathon race under the toughest conditions that demands absolute perseverance from the Porsche 911 Dakar and its driver. Who weakens first, man or machine? Porsche entered the race for the first time in 1984 with the modified 953. Thanks to a new idea, the first 911 with all-wheel drive, Porsche made it to the top at that time.
This exclusive model, limited to 2,500 units, shows once again that there seem to be no limits to the concept of the Porsche 911. The optional Rally Design Package is reminiscent of the iconic 1984 winning car, and with ground clearance 50 mm higher than a 911 Carrera with sports suspension, it’s clear to everyone that Porsche makes no compromises in this special model. In addition, the standard lift system can raise the front and rear by a further 30 millimetres to overcome any hurdle. As a result, ground clearance and ramp angle reach the level of classic SUVs – and that in a 911. The chassis can be lifted up to a speed of 170 km/h, which makes even the most ambitious off-road driving possible. If this speed is exceeded, the chassis automatically lowers itself back to normal level.
The Chronograph 1 – 911 Dakar and the 911 Dakar Rally Design Edition successfully capture the striking design highlights of the 911 Dakar. Equal to the innovative ideas that Porsche produces for its cars, the two timepieces feature a scratch-resistant case made of titanium carbide, developed by Porsche Design.
The two novelties are the world’s first chronographs with a case made of titanium carbide. After 5 years of development work, Porsche Design has now succeeded in shaping a case from this resistant and scratch-proof material. Titanium carbide is characterised by an incomparable reduction in weight, making it even lighter than titanium. It also is resistant to ageing over time. Furthermore, a striking black overall aesthetic defines the look of the ceramic material. The pushers and crown, however, are made of titanium.
On the back of the timepiece, the wheel motif has been reinvented. The winding rotor corresponds to the rim of the 911 Dakar down to the smallest detail. What is interesting here is that, analogue to the configuration of the car, the rim is also available here in two different finishes. You can choose either a black or white look for the rim. For the Chronograph 1 – 911 Dakar, the winding rotor is also available in grey.
Whoever purchases the watch can personalise it using the ‘Porsche Design Timepieces Configurator’. Key features, however, include the central cap adorned with the modern Porsche Crest. The caseback, on the other hand, is made of titanium. The rotor and the movement are protected by a sapphire crystal with seven anti-reflective layers.
The red accents, such as the “60” of the minute scale, which serves as a 12 o’clock marker on the altitude ring, and the red stop hands attract attention. Also in red is the lettering for the Porsche design WERK 01.240 with flyback function. The white minute and hour hands are filled with Superluminova luminous material to guarantee readability even at night.
The day and date display is positioned at 3 o’clock, while the 30-minute display is found at 12 o’clock. The small seconds at 9 o’clock is adorned with a Roughroads graphic in white, blue, gold and red, reminiscent of the retro styling of the Porsche paintwork. Last but not least, at 6 o’clock you will find the 12-hour display.
Since 2014, Porsche Design has been crafting each movement in their watch manufacture in Solothurn, Switzerland. Here, the know-how of sports car and watch experts flow together to create a synthesis between the two fields of expertise. The result: WERK 01.240. With its power reserve of 48 hours and a frequency of 4 Hz, the COSC-certified movement is an excellent companion for the next desert drive. The movement has a flyback function that combines starting, stopping and zeroing in one operation – every second counts in a race. In addition, the movement displays the day and date in German and English.
And finally, let’s take a look at the straps. The straps are an aesthetic reflection of the leather interior of the 911 Dakar. The black leather and contrast stitching in blue or green complete a coherent picture. The perforations are backed with Race-Tex material – the same as that found in car’s seats.
The Chronograph 1 – 911 Dakar and the 911 Dakar Rally Design Edition are true collector’s items and represent a symbiosis between the values of motorised performance and horological precision. The two novelties are reserved only for buyers of a 911 Dakar and 911 with Rally Design Package. Interested parties can obtain the timepieces for 13,950 euros incl. VAT.
911 Dakar, 2022, Porsche AG
911 Dakar: Fuel consumption* combined (WLTP) 11.3 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 256 g/km, Fuel consumption* combined (NEDC) 10.5 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (NEDC) 239 g/km
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