This is a case of saying “Tempus Fugit,” meaning time runs away. Yep, it really runs fast thanks to the sportiness emphasized by Porsche Design-branded watches. This is a brand known primarily for its excellence in the automotive industry and in particular for the design of the legendary Porsche 911 at the hands of Prof. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. But his company’s success is not limited to vehicles.

Since 1972, Porsche Design has also established itself as a luxury icon in the world of high-end accessories, particularly with its watches, which combine sophisticated aesthetics, advanced technology, and precision engineering. This synthesis of automotive design and the art of watchmaking has created a collection of unique timepieces prized by car enthusiasts and watch collectors alike.

Well, buckle your seatbelt and adjust your sports seat because we’ll trace the history of Porsche Design watches, from their origins in the 1970s to the present, exploring the brand’s evolution and the innovations that have made it a major player in the luxury watch industry.

Porsche Design and the collaboration with Orfina

The history of Porsche Design watches began in 1972, when Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the celebrated designer of the Porsche 911 and grandson of founder Ferdinand Porsche, decided to expand his design vision beyond the automotive industry.

Thus was born the Porsche Design Studio, with the aim of applying the same principles of functional simplicity and technological innovation as their supercars, to a range of luxury products, including watches.

The first watch produced was the Chronograph I, a model that marked a real revolution in the world of watchmaking. Made in collaboration with Orfina, a small and renowned Swiss watch company, the Chronograph I is remembered as the first timepiece with an all-black chronograph, both in the case and on the dial.

This design choice was inspired by the instrument panels of Porsche racing cars, where matte black reduced glare and improved readability, a philosophy that Porsche also wanted to carry over into a timepiece.

The decision to use black was bold and radical for the time: while most watches in those years were made of polished steel or more traditional materials, the Chronograph I aimed for a completely new aesthetic.

Through the use of PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating for the case, the watch had a unique matte black finish that immediately stood out among other timepieces of the time. This treatment, which used vaporized metal powders to create a uniform layer, not only gave the watch a distinctive look, but also made it more resistant to wear and scratches.

Initially the movement chosen for the Chronograph I was the celebrated Valjoux 7750, a self-winding mechanical movement of proven reliability and precision, widely used in chronographs of the time. Later a Lemania caliber 5100, also self-winding with a three-counter interface, was chosen.

This model was not only an innovative piece of design, but also a highly functional watch with a sturdy structure that could withstand the harshest conditions.

The collaboration with Orfina lasted until the late 1970s, and led to the creation of other iconic models, such as the Military Chronograph made for the German armed forces, featuring a clean, functional design designed to withstand extreme conditions.

This watch was adopted by the Bundeswehr (the German Army) and used by pilots as their standard watch, a further indication of the quality and durability of these timepieces.

Porsche Design and the collaboration with IWC

The 1980s saw Porsche Design forge a key partnership with the famous Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen; this led to a series of innovations, including the introduction of the first titanium watch.

In 1980, Porsche Design and IWC launched the Titan Chronograph made entirely of titanium, another example of how advanced technology and automotive design could converge. Titanium, a lightweight, corrosion-resistant and biocompatible material, was until then almost unexplored in watchmaking.

It was powered by an automatic mechanical movement, Valjoux caliber 7750, which offered a chronograph function through three counters: one for continuous seconds, one for minutes, and one for chronograph hours.

The Titan Chronograph marked the beginning of the widespread use of titanium in the industry, once again confirming Porsche Design as a pioneer in the field of materials.

In 1983, the collaboration between Porsche Design and IWC produced another masterpiece: the Compass Watch. This multifunctional watch not only showed the time but concealed a compass inside, a detail that perfectly captured the adventurous and aviator spirit of the Schaffhausen-based brand.

It was a great success among those who sought not only a luxury accessory, but also a useful and innovative object.

Porsche Design watches in the 1990s

In the 1990s, Porsche Design continued to explore new materials and technologies, and during this period the connection to high-precision automotive engineering was even more evident.

One of the most significant innovations of this decade was the introduction of watches that combined advanced complications with innovative materials; one of the most notable examples is the Porsche Design Dashboard, which featured a design reminiscent of a sports car dashboard.

This project of the Stuttgart-based maison, marked the beginning of a transition to greater independence in production, laying the foundation for future watch collections created in-house, although IWC continued to be an important manufacturing partner.

Porsche Design Watches Today

As Porsche Design entered the new millennium, it continued to push the boundaries of design and technology. In 2004, the brand acquired Eterna, a historic Swiss watch manufacturer, which allowed Porsche Design to take complete control of the production of its watches. This strategic shift enabled the brand to further strengthen its reputation in haute horology while maintaining high standards in terms of quality.

An example of this avant-garde approach is the Porsche Design Indicator; introduced in 2005, it is made of titanium and features an intricate mechanical movement that indicates elapsed minutes through a 3 o’clock indicator by mixing a unique combination of traditional mechanics and digital technology.

The Chronotimer Series 1 collection, launched in 2015, represents a return to the roots with a design inspired by the first Chronograph I from 1972. With a black dial, white hands, and titanium case, this collection perfectly sums up the Porsche Design aesthetic.

In 2017, Porsche Design unveiled the 1919 Datetimer Eternity, a watch that combines simplicity and sophistication. The concept behind this watch is inspired by the essentiality and performance that were the basis of the revolutionary Porsche Type 64, the precursor to the Porsche 911, thus a clear homage to the brand’s history. The 1919 Datetimer Eternity features a minimalist design and a titanium case, with a clear reference to automotive engineering.

Another significant example is the Monobloc Actuator, also launched in 2017; it incorporates a chronograph with a 24-hour GMT scale on the bezel. The pushers have been eliminated from the case (the chronograph is operated with a Monobloc balance wheel on the right side of the case) making the watch more aerodynamic and durable. In keeping with tradition, the inspiration comes from the racing world, where efficiency and aerodynamics are essential.

In the summer of 2024, the 50th anniversary of the 911 Turbo is celebrated with a limited edition of the Chronograph 1. This watch has design elements inspired by the 1974 911 Turbo, such as the winding rotor that recalls the Fuchs circle and the “turbo” inscription on the strap and case back.

For those not well-versed in the four-wheeled world, the 911 Turbo was first unveiled at the Paris Auto Show on October 6, 1974, becoming revolutionary for its technical performance, such as a top speed of 250 km/h and unmistakable aerodynamic design.

The dial has a matte-black design inspired by the 1972 model, while the Porsche Design WERK 01,240 caliber with flyback function ensures high precision and enables immediate timekeeping. It is limited to 500 pieces, with two interchangeable straps in black titanium and beige fabric/leather.

To this day, Porsche Design continues to distinguish itself as one of the leading luxury watch brands, maintaining its inextricable link to the automotive world and future-oriented vision.

The watches of the Stuttgart-based maison are not just instruments for measuring time, but represent a lifestyle, an obsessive attention to detail, and an expression of understated luxury. The list of Porsche Design timepieces is truly immense and will suit all your tastes in materials (titanium, carbon fiber, etc.).

Conclusions

Ending, the brand’s philosophy remains rooted in the belief that form and function are inseparable, a concept that primarily underlies Design, and this principle is reflected in each of its collections.

Whether a sporty chronograph or an elegant wristwatch, every Porsche Design timepiece is a commitment to excellence, innovation, precision, and uncompromising design.

All this perfectly represents the philosophy of Porsche Design: the fusion of the classic and the modern, of art and engineering.

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