The Porsche Design Chronotimer 1 in matte black, reminiscent of the brand’s first watch in 1972.
If you’ve been around the watch industry for a while, like I have, you are very familiar with the story of Porsche Design timepieces. Founded back in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the brand was one of the first ever to build (in cooperation with IWC) watches of titanium and to create black watches. Avant-garde for its time, the brand was a big hit.
Now, the company is in full swing – launching a new line of watches totally designed completely in-house by Porsche Design Timepieces AG (Switzerland). The line – consisting of 11 timepieces – is slated to be out this summer and reflects the brand’s very singular concept and philosophy.
This titanium version recalls the brand’s first titanium watch, presented in 1980.
The Porsche Design Chronotimer Series 1 is the result of a blend of inspirations stemming from the very first watch, the Chronograph I timepiece from 1972 *(that was all black) and the Titanium Chronograph from 1980. The new watch measures 42mm and is powered by the mechanical ETA Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement with a power reserve of 48 hours and a date display at 3:00. The watches feature black-tinted sapphire crystal casebacks that allow for viewing of the movement, complete with an exclusive Porsche Design rotor.
The all-matte-black design of the new Chronotimer Series 1 watch reflects the early Porsche racing car instrument panes, where everything but the numbers were black. Functions include hours, minute and seconds, as well as stopwatch function, date window and tachymeter bezel.
The Chronotimer Series 1 has bezel options, including rose gold.
The case of the Chronotimer Series 1 is made from glass-bead-blasted titanium, specially painted matte black. However, the watch is offered with a choice of bezels, including black titanium carbide coated, titanium or 18-karat rose gold. Dial accent choices include blue, red and other hues. The Chronotimer 1 watches are water resistant to 40 meters thanks to the screw-down crown and screwed case back. The sapphire crystals are anti-reflective and the watches retail from $4,450 to $7,950.
This version features the titanium case.
