The history of Porsche Design is defined by an unwavering commitment to uncompromising form and a reduction to the essentials. This ideal of maximum precision and performance was typified by the Chronograph I developed by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche 50 years ago, in 1972: a timeless, sporty precision instrument in a purist form language. With it, the designer of the legendary Porsche 911 transported the design principles of the automotive world to another product realm. It was a premiere in several respects: the Chronograph I was the world’s first completely black watch. For the first time, the designer successfully achieved his idea of transferring the design, aesthetics and functionality of a sports car to a watch. The readability of the dial, for example, was derived from the dashboard in the cockpit of the car. Porsche Design has repeatedly mastered this transfer of ideas and the link between the two worlds ever since, and 2022 – its 50th anniversary year – will certainly continue that tradition.
THE CHRONOGRAPH I. BORN IN 1972. REDEFINED IN 2022.
To celebrate the occasion, Porsche Design is reissuing the Chronograph I for the first time, with two versions of the legendary watch. Each traces a straight line back to 1972, but technically they’re state-of-the-art – developed and manufactured at Porsche Design’s in-house watchmaking workshop in Solothurn, Switzerland. In addition to the Chronograph 1 – 1972 Limited Edition, of which only 500 will be available, the brand is launching a model of the timepiece to go with the vehicle.
The Chronograph 1 – 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design is available exclusively to buyers of the 750 Porsche 911 Targa GTS Porsche Design 50th Anniversary Edition sports cars. The watch is inextricably linked to the sports car by its unique edition number on the back of the case. Porsche Design remained true to the appearance of the original chronograph of 1972. In place of the historic brand design, the current logo and lettering were used. Such details enable the transition of the timepiece to the modern era and link it with the design philosophy of the Porsche 911 that was introduced by F. A. Porsche and endures to this day.
The bilingual date display and the red stopwatch second hand are identical to the Chronograph I of 1972. Bringing the watch into the present and underlining its connection to the world of motorsport are new details such as the rehaut with its tachymeter scale and the case and bracelet, which are made of high-performance titanium. Another impressive detail is the sapphire crystal case back. It offers a view of the automatic chronograph calibre, the winding rotor of which is inspired by the ‘911 Turbo S’ wheel of the special edition sports car, and is also finished in satin-finish Platinum. Both visually and technically, the anniversary model fits seamlessly into the current Porsche Design Timepieces collections and therefore creates the perfect bridge to the here and now. Reserved for future owners of the Porsche 911 model, the Chronograph 1 – 911 Porsche Design 50th Anniversary Edition can be ordered exclusively through Porsche Centres worldwide.
