As the 50th anniversary year of the Porsche Design Chronograph 1, which was widely celebrated with an array of special models, draws to a close, the watch manufacturer is already presenting its next highlight. With the Chronograph 1 – GP 2023 Edition, Porsche Design is launching a second limited special edition to mark the GP Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria. The event will take place for the fourth time in a newly designed format at the end of January 2023.
Since 2019, Porsche Design has been the official timing partner of the race, which was revived in the same year after a 45-year hiatus. Ferdi Porsche, nephew of Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche and watch enthusiast, has made a major contribution to the success of the new GP Ice Race edition, also playing a role in the design of the new Chronograph 1 – GP 2023 Edition.
After all, it was his uncle who laid the foundation for the Porsche Design brand in 1972 with the original Chronograph 1. As a trained architect, Ferdi Porsche has the necessary flair for form and aesthetics and was involved in the development of the chronograph in Porsche’s own watch manufacture in Solothurn, Switzerland.
Spectacular sports cars, extreme conditions: the GP Ice Race
In 1952, the Skijöring Race in Zell am See stems from the trendy sport of skijoring, originally involving horses pulling skiers over the ice track. Evolving from horses to sports cars pulling skiers over the slopes, the race is now an established motorsport event. At its peak, 10,000 fans have made the pilgrimage to Zell am See, with sports cars competing for the fastest lap time across various disciplines. The last historic race took place in 1974 – it was only 45 years later, in 2019, that Ferdi Porsche and his friend Vinzenz Greger revived the old tradition of ice racing with the modern-day GP Ice Race.
Anyone who follows Ferdi Porsche on social media will see the passion he has for motorsport. Fred Porsche embodies a lifestyle that polarises predominantly young motorsport fans for the GP Ice Race’. He once said that for him, there is almost no better feeling than driving up the Großglockner early in the morning with his father and their sports cars. For three days at the end of January 2023, an array of spectacular racing cars will once again compete against each other under extreme conditions: prototypes, rally cars, and restored classic cars.
Under a new guise: the Chronograph 1 – GP 2022 Edition
Ferdi Porsche and the design team of Studio F. A. Porsche meticulously oriented themselves to the original chronograph from 1972, which takes inspiration from the aesthetics of the dashboard of the Porsche 911. On the matte-black dial, bold, light-coloured hour indices with Super-LumiNova luminous material provide 24/7 legibility.
In the predecessor model as well as the original from 1972, the surrounding dial ring integrates a tachymeter scale, however the new model replaces this with a 60-minute display.
Porsche Design Chronograph 1: GP 2022 Edition (left) & GP 2023 Edition (right)
Furthermore, on the new edition, the minute hand is pointed (instead of rectangular), while the stop hand is red instead of white. Additionally, there is also a small but noticeable innovation in the case: the 40.8 mm titanium case is no longer black PVD coated, but rather silver coloured. In this respect, the Chronograph 1 – GP 2022 Edition is certainly even closer to the original.
The movement of the Porsche Design Chrongraph 1 – GP 2023 Edition
While Porsche Design develop the precise WERK 01.240 calibre at the manufacture in Solothurn, the company uses the specialist Concepto for the base. The WERK 01.240 movement in this new model is a further development of the WERK 01.140 from the 2022 edition with a flyback function, innovative quick-switch date display and bilingual day display. The movement is COSC-certified and offers a power reserve of 48 hours. Finally, the caseback is engraved with the historic Porsche Design logo, the edition number and the small but playful GP insignia: a Yeti sitting on a tractor.
Price & Availability of the Porsche Design Chrongraph 1 – GP 2023 Edition
The new GP 2023 Edition will be available with two strap options; a white textile strap that can be worn over a ski or racing suit, or alternatively a car leather strap with a matt-black titanium folding clasp. In addition, the watch comes in a black box with a laser-engraved acrylic plaque. The Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – GP 2023 Edition is a limited edition of 250 pieces and can be ordered from 11 January 2023 online and in Porsche Design Stores worldwide. The chronograph costs 8,950 euros.
Horology house Vacheron Constantin is reaching new heights of femininity with its introduction of several ethereal new Traditionnelle and Patrimony models. The Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin is available in a powdery blue or pink colour scheme, accompanied by a diamond-set bezel. Meanwhile, the Patrimony Self-winding comes in a gradient-effect dark blue or light pink. With…
At the beginning of 2024, Tudor announced its return to motorsport and unveiled an exclusive version of the Black Bay Ceramic “Blue”. This watch, specially designed for the new Formula 1 team Visa Cash App RB, reflects Tudor's tradition in racing. With a ceramic case, a blue dial reminiscent of the team’s racing colors, and…
Vacheron Constantin is treating its collectors to a new platinum limited edition, of which only 50 pieces are available: the Traditionnelle tourbillon chronograph - Collection Excellence Platine. The emblematic masterpiece goes all out in its use of the precious material. It features a platinum case, crown, dial, buckle and – yes you read that right…
Hodinkee and Zenith have unveiled their third collaborative timepiece, the Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar Limited Edition For Hodinkee. This watch reinterprets the modern chronograph with a triple calendar and moon phase, inspired by a rare prototype from 1970. With a stainless steel case, unique dial, and high-frequency movement, it blends vintage aesthetics with contemporary…
Although the El Primero Chronograph celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, Zenith is launching another Revival edition of the original El Primero. Namely, the Zenith Chronomaster Revival 'Manufacture Edition' showcases a previously unseen dial – until now. According to Zenith, a box of old dials from the legendary El Primero A386 was found in the…
The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar Openface combines the classic case of the Dress Watch collection with a bold openworked dial. The watch appears in white gold or red gold and offers a full calendar with moon phases. The movement can be seen through the exposed dial, which emphasises the technical feel of the watch.…
As a long-standing partner of the Italian sailing team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, Panerai is presenting the Luminor Luna Rossa Carbotech. The special edition is being released on the occasion of the 37th America's Cup. The watch is only available for 24 hours and there are only 37 pieces. The case comes in the company's…
Porsche Design celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 Turbo with a special edition timepiece, the Chronograph 1 – 50 Years 911 Turbo Edition. Limited to 500 pieces, this watch is a homage to the legendary sports car unveiled at the 1974 Paris Motor Show. The Chronograph 1 – 50 Years 911 Turbo Edition…
The RM 61-01 was unveiled in 2014 and is a younger sibling of the tourbillon RM 59-01 worn by Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake, who has been a member of the Richard Mille family since 2012. This ‘Ultimate Edition’ heralds the last issue of this very uniquely shaped model. For the RM 61-01 Ultimate Edition, TZP…
Horology house Vacheron Constantin is reaching new heights of femininity with its introduction of several ethereal new Traditionnelle and Patrimony models. The Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra-thin is available in a powdery blue or pink colour scheme, accompanied by a diamond-set bezel. Meanwhile, the Patrimony Self-winding comes in a gradient-effect dark blue or light pink. With…
The new collection of the Swiss brand Audemars Piguet was firstly presented in Geneva on the SIHH 2019. In total six new models were introduced, among others the Tourbillon Openworked and the Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon. Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet – Tourbillon Openworked Ref. 26600OR.OO.D002CR.01 The models of this new collection have a round case with an octagonal…
As Gerald Charles commemorates its 25th anniversary, the maison is launching a special tribute to its legendary founder, Mr. Gérald Charles Genta, with the Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition. This release not only celebrates the brand's heritage but also pays homage to the extraordinary creativity and technical prowess of Mr. Genta, who is renowned as…
Audemars Piguet introduced the new collection Code 11.59 on the watch fair SIHH 2019. In total this collection consists of six models. One of them is equipped with a perpetual calendar. The 41 mm case of the new collection’s six models is round with an octagonal middle piece inside. The upper part of the openworked lugs is welded…