The new Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 911 Dakar and 911 Dakar Rally Design Edition in Titanium Carbide
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 new Porsche 911 Dakar
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 exterior of the watch
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.
Oscillating rotor
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 dial
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.
The inner workings
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.
Price & availability
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.
Perforated leather strap made of Porsche vehicle leather in Black with backing in Race-Tex in Green/Blue and decorative stitching in Porsche vehicle thread in Green/Blue
MOVEMENT
Werk 01.240
MOVEMENT TYPE
Automatic
POWER RESERVE
48 Hours
FREQUENCY
28,800 vph (4 Hz)
FUNCTIONS
Chronograph with flyback function, day and date display in German and English
PRICE
EUR 13.950 – Only available in combination with the Porsche 911 Dakar and Porsche 911 Dakar Rally Design Package.
Benjamin Comar has been CEO of Piaget since 2021 and is responsible not only for a whole range of highly complex watches, but also for extravagant jewellery. For although the manufacture originally started out as a supplier of watch movements, by the mid-20th century the maison had a desire to extend its expertise to other…
With the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante, the Glashütte manufacture is presenting a new split-seconds chronograph with a platinum case. It proudly bears the traditional design features of the 1815 collection, but surprises with an atypical placement of the subdials. The 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold "Homage to F. A. Lange" was introduced earlier, but it…
To mark the brand’s 250th anniversary and 70 years since the birth of the Type XX (the standard Type version was released in 1953), Breguet is launching two new chronograph models. Under reference 2075, the maison introduces two variants: one comes with a black anodised aluminium dial, the other is limited to just 250 pieces…
With the new collection of Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days watches, Panerai invites to an exploration into the blue of the sea, which's colour is applied to the dial by a new manufacturing process. The reflections of light which penetrate the depths of the sea create a chromatic spectacle which the new dial of the Radiomir 1940 3 Days tries to…
On the watch fair SIHH 2019 the Swiss brand Vacheron Constantin introduces a new, very exclusive model. In 2006 the brand already presented a collection, called 'Excellence Platine', which is dedicated to the high-quality material platinum. This collection, composed of exceptional models only issued in limited editions, now welcomes a new version of the Traditionnelle Manual-Winding. Vacheron…
With the Patravi ScubaTec Maldives, Carl F. Bucherer celebrates its long-standing partnership with the Manta Trust - a non-profit organisation that works to protect the endangered manta ray. With its stainless steel case and water resistance of 500 metres, the ScubaTec Maldives is a real diver's watch. In addition, the certified chronometer has a rotating…
TUDOR presents a new variant of the Pelagos that does not have a date. The TUDOR Pelagos FXD was created in cooperation with a special unit of the French Navy and has some new function-forward features. The case is milled from a single block of titanium, which is supposed to benefit stability. The strap bars…
Audemars Piguet has unveiled a new model within the Code 11.59 collection. The Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph now appears in a combination of black ceramic and 18k white gold. This watch, which first launched in 2021, showcases the brand’s watchmaking expertise with an open-worked dial and a complex movement. Case The case measures 41 mm…
The ‘First Omega in Space’ returns to the collection. This watch, one of the most sought-after timepieces from Omega, is a true icon. It now appears in a modern version with an updated movement and Co-Axial Master Chronometer certification. The famous timepiece, originally marked with reference number CK 2998, first appeared in 1959. It belongs…
With its new Seamaster Aqua Terra "Ultra Light", the watch manufacture OMEGA presents a watch that especially focuses on its light weight and its comfort during wearing – features that are particularly emphazising the model’s sporty character. Behind the development of this new Master Chronometer was one of golf’s major talents: Rory McIlroy. The OMEGA ambassador…
Greubel Forsey has reinvented its perpetual calendar QP in the new QP à Équation. Housed in a 43.5mm 5N red-gold case with a 'chocolate brown' dial, the watch incorporates a complete perpetual calendar, a tourbillon, and Equation of Time, which are operated using the bidirectional crown. The timepiece is presented on a hand-sewn alligator leather…
This is the third time that Swiss watchmaker Hublot and luxury retailer Bucherer have teamed up. Already in 2019 and 2021, the Hublot Classic Fusion Bronze Bucherer Blue and Big Bang Unico Bucherer Blue are two models that experiment with materials such as ceramic, titanium, bronze and rubber. Now Hublot and Bucherer are jointly launching…
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…