Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 RS: Anything but the third wheel
Since 2017, future car owners of selected Porsche models have had the option of having their own Porsche Design chronographs, made to match their sports car. The latest version: the 911 GT3 RS Chronograph.
Porsche Design is launching the new 911 GT3 RS Chronograph exclusively for buyers of its high-performance sports car. The watchmakers at the Porsche Design Timepieces Manufacture in Solothurn, Switzerland, painstakingly handcraft each piece in its entirety – including the assembly of the COSC-certified movement.
Porsche Design develops all the necessary parts at its in-house design department. The company does this in cooperation with leading Swiss component manufacturers, which work closely with Porsche Design throughout the manufacturing processes. In doing so, Porsche Design mirrors the processes of Porsche AG’s sports car development.
The Porsche 911 (992) GT3 RS and GT3 RS Weissach Package
Driven by the quest for top performance, Porsche introduced the new Weissach Package 911 GT3 RS and GT3 RS. This optional lightweight package makes the vehicle 30 kilos lighter thanks to numerous carbon components.
The 911 GT3 RS accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds. Furthermore, it reaches a top speed of 296 km/h in seventh gear. This is partly thanks to the improved aerodynamics. The new 911 GT3 RS generates 409 kilograms of total downforce at 200 km/h, thanks to continuously adjustable wing elements at the front and the two-part rear wing. This means that the 911 GT3 RS generates twice as much downforce as its predecessor (Type 991 II).
Powering the high-performance sports car is a four-litre high-revving, naturally aspirated engine that delivers an output of 386 kW (525 hp) on the race track. Porsche derive the single-throttle intake system and the rigid valve train from motorsport. The Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) with seven gears has a shortened overall transmission ratio compared to the 911 GT3.
The basis for the significant increase in performance is the central-radiator concept. This was first used in the Le Mans class winner 911 RSR and subsequently in the 911 GT3 R as well.
A titanium case
The screw-down case has a diameter of 42 mm and a height of 15.33 mm. It consists of light, resistant titanium or – depending on your preference – black titanium. The case matches to the motorised models with a variety of sporty design features and technical details. The chronograph push-pieces with the laser engravings “Start/Stop” and “Next Lap” take inspiration from motor racing.
The glass-bead blasted case of the Chronograph 911 GT3 RS is water-resistant to 5 bar. It can thus withstand any weather conditions on or off the race track. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with seven anti-reflective coatings on both sides ensures particularly good readability. This is particularly advantageous in racing.
Unlike the rear of the GT3 RS, only a few will catch a view of this watch’s caseback. Yet it is well worth seeing. Owners can customise the titanium caseback with a text of up to twelve characters – for example, vehicle identification number. The use of a sapphire crystal caseback provides a clear view of the rotor and the filigree movement.
The dial
The pulsometer scale on the bezel made of titanium – or, alternatively, titanium with a black titanium carbide coating – shows how strongly the wearer’s heart beats for motorsport during a pit stop. To do this, you feel the pulse and start the measurement on the chronograph. After 30 pulse beats, the stopped second hand shows the number of pulse beats per minute on the pulsometer scale. On request, the bezel is also available with a tachymeter or minute display.
The hand-painted dial in black carbon with Porsche vehicle paint offers a sporty contrast to the white hour and minute indices made of ceramic and Super LumiNova luminous material. The seconds disc at 9 o’clock in matt black showcases the lettering “911 GT3 RS”. The 30-minute counter is at the 12 o’clock position, the 12-hour counter at the 6 o’clock position.
Calibre with flyback function
The COSC-certified Porsche Design WERK 01.200, beats at a frequency of 4Hz. It also has a flyback function that combines starting, stopping and zeroing in a single operation. The 911 GT3 RS chronograph has a power reserve of 48 hours.
In addition, the lift rotor reflects the wheel rim design of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. A stylish finishing touch can be found in the new, black rotor cap in the shape of the centre lock with “RS” logo in brilliant silver.
The strap
The leather strap is made of the same materials found in the vehicle, bringing selected interior elements to the wrist. Elaborate perforation and the Race-Tex material in the selected accent colour GT Silver or Indian Red, as well as decorative stitching made of vehicle yarn in the accent colour, reflect the style of the 911 GT3 RS. On request, the chronograph can also be fitted with high-quality metal bracelets, which – just like the clasp – are made of titanium.
Chronograph 911 GT3 RS: Price and availability
The Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 RS is available from 9,750 euros and is exclusively available for owners of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and 911 GT3 RS with the Weissach option.
Oris is heading back to its roots – but still keeping things innovative. The new Divers Sixty-Five 12H Calibre 400 looks back upon from over half a century of the manufacture's watch design and movement creation. As such, it carries not only the spirit and form of the first Oris dive watch, introduced in 1965,…
With the Flieger Verus Black Forest Lagoon, Stowa presents a new timepiece from the modern Verus collection. The watch features a 40 mm ‘Black Forest’ case and a unique dial design inspired by the Blautopf in Baden-Württemberg. Despite its name, the Black Forest is not only known for its dark surroundings but also for its…
Together with its long-time ambassador Giannis Antetokounmpo, Breitling has introduced a special edition of the Chronomat. Inspired by the athlete's impressive journey from the basketball courts of Athens to the NBA, two watches immortalise the basketball star's personality and style. These watches are available in two versions: the Chronomat GMT with a 40 mm steel…
As early as the end of the 18th century, Breguet had laid down clear design codes, such as the famous hand-guilloching of dials in gold or silver. Among other things, the watchmaker created the eponymously named Breguet hands with their openworked "pomme" tip. Another ever-recognisable feature has to be the eccentrically arranged dial, taking inspiration…
Today, Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer is releasing a limited edition of a redesigned vintage Heuer Carrera. The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02 Gold Edition marks Jack Heuer’s 88th birthday – which is today. The 18-carat rose-gold watch is a new version of the recently relaunched TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph. After all, the TAG Heuer…
This year at Dubai's LMVH watch fair, Zenith brought back the spirit of the 1960s with a brand new El Primero edition. The El Primero A384 Revival was first introduced last year, as the brand celebrated 50 years since becoming the first watchmaker in the world to unveil an automatic integrated chronograph watch. As in…
The DiaStar is rather a historic model for watch manufacture Rado, with the timepiece appearing only five years after the brand's founding back in 1957. The first 1962 DiaStar quickly gained a following for its distinctive shape and extremely resistant tungsten-carbide case – a highly unusual material for a watch both then and now. Following…
Breguet is presenting a new variant of the Tradition Quantième Rétrograde 7597. The watch appears in a white gold case and now has a midnight blue dial and a matching date indication. Previously, the white gold case was only available with a silver dial. The new model comes on a matching blue leather strap with…
To mark Zenith's 160th anniversary, the legendary calibre 135 is making a return as the centrepiece in the new G.F.J. collection. The timepiece is a tribute to the multi-award-winning calibre, which was produced in two different versions from 1949 to 1962. Its 135-O variant, manufactured for observatory chronometry competitions, broke records by winning more than…
The All Dial collection from Mido is celebrating its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the house is launching a limited special edition that celebrates its connection to architecture. The Mido All Dial 20th Anniversary Inspired By Architecture puts a building in the spotlight for the first time. The new limited special edition is inspired…
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the brand, Hublot is releasing three limited editions. They take inspiration from the 1980 Classic Original model, yet also incorporate more modern elements. The minimalist models are available in 18-carat yellow gold, titanium, or black ceramic cases, and are accompanied by a black rubber strap. The History The 1980…
With the Pioneer Retrograde Seconds, H. Moser & Cie. presents a watch with an unusual and striking complication that nevertheless embodies the brand’s minimalist philosophy. The retrograde seconds is not only technically fascinating, but also puts in an impressive performance on the dial. Inspired by the world of motorsports, the watch is sporty and elegant…
With the Oris ProPilot X Calibre 400, the Hölstein-based manufacturer is presenting three new pilot's watches equipped with the Calibre 400. The watches appear in a titanium case and have a matching bracelet made of the same material. They come with dials in grey, blue or salmon. The 39 mm Titanium Case The case of…