With the new 911 Spirit 70, Porsche unveils a limited-edition model that seeks to unite iconic design cues from the 1970s with contemporary aesthetics. In parallel, Porsche Design launches a chronograph that is intricately woven into the visual identity of the car, adopting its design language from dial to movement. This is a look at a duo that’s more than just a collector’s item for sports car enthusiasts.
The idea of combining the body of a modern 911 with elements from the past in a limited edition is by no means new. Rather, the new 911 Spirit 70 follows a model concept based on the principle of the Heritage Design Edition – a line that has so far produced two limited 911 models and will eventually comprise four special series. The 911 Spirit 70 is the third in this series.
The concept began in 2020 with the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition, stylistically inspired by the 1950s and early 1960s. It continued in 2022 with the 911 Sport Classic, which revived the aesthetics of the 1960s and early 1970s. Like its direct predecessor – the 2009 911 Sport Classic based on the 997 generation – the model drew visual inspiration from the original 911 (1964–1973) and the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (1972).
The 911 Spirit 70 presents itself as a model that merges the body of the 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet with defining Porsche styling from the 1970s — reinterpreted through a modern lens. To bridge past and present, Porsche relies on three signature design elements that have long established themselves as visual hallmarks of the brand.
The most prominent feature is the so-called “Safety Stripes”: three black lines running from the bonnet across the soft-top roof. This visual element is complemented by a classic Porsche script and a freely configurable racing number on the vehicle’s flanks.
The second stylistic cue is the exterior finish, inspired by colours found in Porsche’s historic paint catalogue from the 1970s. Porsche Designers Daniela Milošević and Chris Holzinger drew from the tones Olive and Olive Green to develop an entirely new hue: Olive Neo. This contemporary colour preserves the earthy warmth and yellow undertones of the original while adding a modern depth. Alternatively, around 140 colours from the “Paint to Sample” programme are available, including, for example, solid black and GT silver metallic.
Inside, the Pascha pattern takes centre stage — a checkerboard motif from the 1970s, composed of irregular rectangles designed to evoke the motion of a waving chequered flag. Originally created by the design team led by Anatole “Tony” Lapine and Vlasta Hatter, the pattern was first publicly revealed in the Porsche 928 in 1977. By the mid-1980s, it had also appeared in the 911, 924, and 944 models, and is now considered one of Porsche’s most iconic interior designs.
In the 911 Spirit 70, the pattern makes a distinctive comeback — featured on the centre sections of the seats, door panels, dashboard trim strip, glove compartment, and even a reversible luggage mat in the boot. It also plays a central role in the accompanying chronograph — but more on that shortly. Echoing the exterior design, a trio of tone-in-tone stripes is also applied to the car’s headlining.
Even the Porsche crest has been adopted in its historic 1963 form – appearing on the bonnet, the steering wheel, the wheel hub covers, the headrests and the leather key pouch.
The 911 Spirit 70 rides on 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear – each equipped with a central locking mechanism. The shape of the rims, with their wing- or cloverleaf-style cut-outs, clearly echoes the iconic Fuchs wheels. This forged alloy wheel was first developed in 1967 by Porsche in collaboration with Otto Fuchs KG for the 911 S.
From a technical standpoint, the vehicle is based on the 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet. Its 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine features a particularly lightweight T-hybrid system and an electric turbocharger. The unit delivers 398 kW (541 PS) and 610 Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the road via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with an integrated electric motor. A sports exhaust system comes as standard, ensuring the right acoustic experience.
Likewise, it’s nothing new that Porsche Design introduces a corresponding chronograph for especially limited 911 models. What unites these timepieces is not only the fact that they visually reflect design cues from their automotive counterparts – they are also reserved exclusively for buyers of the respective car.
An exemplary case is the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 911 Dakar Rallye Design Edition from 2022, crafted from titanium carbide – a material even lighter than titanium. The watch was modelled after the 911 Dakar, which, with its optional rally design package, pays tribute to the legendary victory at the 1984 marathon rally – featuring 50 mm more ground clearance than a 911 Carrera with sports suspension, and a standard lift system that raises both front and rear axles by an additional 30 millimetres. The result: ground clearance and approach angles similar to those of a classic SUV.
The Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 911 S/T in titanium, which we also covered at Swisswatches, followed the same principle. The watch launched alongside the namesake manual-transmission model – a 60th anniversary car for the 911 that avoided spoilers or aerodynamic add-ons, yet delivered 521 hp from a 4-litre boxer engine. Weighing in at only 1,380 kilograms (DIN unladen weight), it was the lightest production 911 of its time – limited to 1,963 pieces.
With the new Chronograph 911 Spirit 70, Porsche Design now introduces a timepiece that arguably has the closest connection yet to its automotive counterpart. From the dial colours to the dial motif and the rotor design – this limited edition integrates a variety of Porsche references. Time to take a closer look at the timepiece.
The new Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Spirit 70 showcases a palette of Porsche references, culminating in the design of the dial. It becomes clear that Porsche has applied the Pascha pattern not only to the sports seats, but also to the watch face. The same differently sized rectangles can be seen here—arranged in such a way that, enhanced by the suggestion of rotation, they evoke the dynamic flutter of a checkered flag. This rotating visual impression also creates a sense of three-dimensionality on the glossy black dial.
Another key design element is the use of red, green, and white. One of these colours demands particular attention: the dominance of the green scale and green numerals — visible on the rehaut, the subdials, and the date window — not only provides a visual frame for the Pascha-style checkerboard pattern but also mirrors the aesthetics of a rev counter, reinforcing the connection to the car. This detail is inspired by the 12.65-inch digital display of the 911 Spirit 70, whose fully digital rev counter features the same green numerals, referencing the Porsche 356, the brand’s first production sports car. The white hands hovering over the dial are also designed to reflect the vehicle’s tachometer style.
Beneath the dial ticks the automatic WERK 01.100 movement, operating at a frequency of 28,000 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offering a power reserve of 48 hours. As with all Porsche Design movements, it has been manufactured in Solothurn, Switzerland since 2014 and is COSC-certified.
The movement is housed in a 42-millimetre case made entirely of titanium and coated with black titanium carbide to keep weight to a minimum. Titanium carbide—first introduced in 2022 with the Chronograph 1 – 911 Dakar—stands out for its resistance to scratches and corrosion. Combined with a screw-down crown and titanium pushers, the 14.90 mm high case achieves water resistance of up to 10 bar (100 metres).
Turning the case over reveals the most obvious homage to the car: a winding rotor in the shape of a vehicle rim, echoing not only the bi-colour design in black and Bronzit of the 911 Spirit 70, but also the historical Porsche crest. Additionally, the caseback bears an engraving that matches the vehicle’s limited-edition number, once again highlighting the connection between watch and car.
The new watch comes on a strap made from original vehicle leather, matching the Basalt Black finish of the 911 Spirit 70’s seats. The stitching mirrors the interior colours Olive Neo or Darksilver, while both the “911” graphic and decorative stripes of the car appear as embossed detailing on the strap.
The Chronograph 911 Spirit 70 will be available from April 23 at Porsche Centres for €11,950 — but only for buyers or owners of the 911 Spirit 70. The watch also includes a metal plaque with a Heritage Badge engraving, housed in a high-quality limited edition presentation box.
The 911 Spirit 70, limited to 1,500 units, is now available to order starting from €240,000 and is expected to reach European dealers from April 2025.
Porsche 911 Spirit 70 fuel consumption combined: 11.0 – 10.7 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 249 – 243 g/km; CO₂ class: G; status as of 12/2024.
