75 Years of Porsche Sports Cars: Porsche Design Presents the Limited Anniversary Edition Chronograph 1 – 75 Years Porsche Edition
Exactly 75 years ago, the first Porsche sports car was registered in 1948. Ferry Porsche wanted a light, efficient sports car. Since one of that kind did not exist according to his ideas, he simply built one himself. Thus, the Porsche 356 “No. 1” Roadster was presented to the world on June 8, 1948. Shortly after, the first Porsche 911 also saw the light of day. Porsche Design honors this anniversary with the Chronograph 1 – 75 Years Porsche Edition, strictly limited to 475 pieces.
The case
The original Chronograph 1 from 1972 was not only the first watch from Porsche Design, but also the first all-black watch. Like the Porsche 911, it was designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche and, like the sports car, embodies the perfect balance between design and engineering. Instead of stainless steel, as was the case with the original from 1972, the case of the new Chronograph 1 – 75 Years of Porsche Design is made of lightweight, resistant and hypoallergenic titanium. The glass-bead blasted sapphire crystal caseback allows a view of the winding rotor in the shape of the 911 fox rim with a coloured Porsche Crest. The caseback is also engraved with “75 years of Porsche” and the individual limitation number.
The dial
The matte black dial is inspired by the dashboard in the Porsche 911 cockpit. White indixes with hour markers and the modern Porsche Design logo, including the lettering, contrast with the black of the dial. In addition, the second hand for the chronograph function stands out through its red colouring. At 3 o’clock there is a day/date display and the bezel is decorated with a tachymeter scale. The sapphire crystal with hard coating is seven-fold anti-reflective on both sides.
The movement
The new Chronograph 1 – 75 Years Porsche Edition runs on the WERK 01.140 automatic calibre with the Day-Date function. It was developed at the brand’s manufacture in Solothurn, but uses the platform of supplier Concepto. The movement offers a power reserve of 48 hours. The chronograph includes a cam switch with an oscillating pinion clutch. Elsewhere, the quick-switch date display adds to convenience. In addition, the watch carries the chronometer certificate of the COSC, which guarantees appropriate accuracy.
Strap options, price & availability
The new Chronograph 1 – 75 Years Porsche Edition is worn on a specially developed textile-leather strap with light blue decorative stitching and a central red stripe, the color of Porsche’s 75th anniversary logo. Optionally, the chronograph is available with a black leather strap and matching black stitching. Both straps can be quickly and independently interchanged using the quick-change system. The limited edition will be available for 9,975 euros in the Porsche Design online store, Porsche Design stores, and selected watch retailers from June 8.
Just last weekend, the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race took place in northwest France. To celebrate this special anniversary, Rolex, which has been timing this event since 2001, is releasing a new Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona model with the reference 126529LN. At Watches & Wonders in Geneva two months ago, the brand…
Breitling celebrates American automotive culture with the Top Time Classic Cars Capsule collection. For this purpose, the Swiss company is presenting three chronographs, each inspired by a classic racing car from the 1960s. They appear with eye-catching dials that are intended to capture the feeling of freedom and joy of life that emanates from the…
The legendary rivalry between the Italian cycling greats Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali not only moved the sporting world in the 1940s and 1950s, but an entire nation. Breitling is now honouring these two icons and former brand ambassadors with a new, limited Top Time B01 collection. These watches are not only a tribute to…
At the 2019 watch fair SIHH in Geneva the Florentine brand Panerai added two new models to its collection of their ‘Submersible‘ diving watches. These models have a steel case and are especially attractive to those with a smaller wrist due to their 42 mm diameter case instead of the regular 47 mm. Other than that the…
The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition 1858 is a brand new model from the Le Locle- and Villeret-based horology house. Despite its Swiss heritage, the timepiece takes its inspiration from the colours of the Gobi desert. With only 1858 pieces available, the complicated watch's functions include turning northern and southern hemisphere globes, as well as…
OMEGA is teaming up with its partner, Swiss yacht racing team Alinghi, to present a collaborative watch – the OMEGA Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi. According to Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA, "The new watch is about two great Swiss brands combining their passion for innovation and sailing." Furthermore, the Speedmaster Dark Side…
With the Heritage Pythagore Small Second Limited Edition 148, Montblanc presents two new timepieces that draw on the rich past of the Minerva watch manufacture. With them, the new Montblanc manufacture calibre MB M14.08, inspired by a historic Minerva calibre, makes its debut. It was constructed according to the proportions of the golden ratio and…
The Bulgari Octo Roma Central Tourbillon Papillon tells the time with a mechanism that has never been seen before. Inspired by a butterfly, two retractable hands travel along a graduation to indicate the minutes. Meanwhile, an aperture at 12 o'clock shows the current hour. The watch appears in a rose gold case and is powered…
Longines introduces a new model in its Ultra-Chron collection: the Ultra-Chron Carbon. This watch features a carbon case, a first for the brand. It is inspired by the 1968 Ultra-Chron Diver, the first diver’s watch with a high-frequency movement. The watch is powered by the exclusive Longines high-frequency movement, which oscillates at 36,000 vibrations per…
Panerai introduces a new generation of their Fibratech watches: Luminor Marina Fibratech 44 mm (PAM01663). This material is used for the case of this model, however set off and enhanced by Carbotech used for the bezel and the crown bridge lever. Panerai Luminor Marina Fibratech 44 mm (PAM01663) Obtained with natural and eco-sustainable row fibers, Fibratech…
In addition to a redesigned Submariner and new Oyster Perpetual models, Rolex is also introducing a new version of the Sky-Dweller with an Oysterflex bracelet. Previously only "professional" models such as the Rolex Daytona and Yacht-Master were available with this bracelet, which is made of metal blades covered with elastomer. The new combination is reserved…
Independent Swiss maison Laurent Ferrier is introducing a new edition of its Grand Sport Tourbillon, this time in 'golden brown'. The warm-toned, autumnal-looking watch, which is a limited edition of only 24 pieces, marks 12 years of the Laurent Ferrier manufacture, which swiftly became a world renowned watchmaker following its founding in 2009. This was…
Simplicity that conveys complexity is rare. When it comes to the Louis Vuitton Voyager Skeleton Platinum Limited Edition, it is so rare that there are only a mere 150 pieces in existence. With its streamlined shapes, navy blue details and use of the precious metal platinum, this new limited piece from La Fabrique du Temps unites function…