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Back in April, Porsche Design quietly hosted an event that gave the press the opportunity to go hands-on with a selection of current offerings and upcoming launches across its merchandise, sunglasses, luggage, and, of course, watch collections. This was a rare opportunity given that, apart from occasional meetups or the secondary market, there has been no simple way to physically put your hands on a Porsche Design watch. That is until now, as Porsche Design has announced a new retail partnership with Watches of Switzerland, allowing enthusiasts to shop the collection physically. Alongside that announcement, and perhaps more pertinent to our readers, Porsche Design has debuted a new Chronograph 1 1975 Limited Edition model that I spent some hands-on time with at that earlier event.
Exactly 50 years ago, Porsche Design released an uncoated version of the original Chronograph, to which this model pays tribute. That model was meant to complement the all-black 1972 Chronograph 1 model, as this new version is intended to complement the modern all-black version that was released in commemoration back in 2022. One key change here, though, is in the chosen material. While the original 1975 uncoated Chronograph 1 was crafted in steel, this new version has been machined from titanium, still uncoated but bead blasted for finish. It will offer slightly warmer hues and a lighter weight-wearing experience than the original, but it will still deliver a similar vibe with a modern twist. This marks the first time an uncoated titanium Chronograph 1 will be available to customers not a part of the limited-edition Porsche sports car owners group. While it might have been a bit more impactful had they never offered it in the catalog at all, it is still nice to see Porsche Design open it up to the public in the form of a 350-piece limited run.
True to the contemporary design, the dial layout remains the same, referencing the dashboard of Porsche’s most iconic car, the 911. Sharing an original designer, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the 911 and Chronograph 1 make use of contrasting materials and colors with a matte black backdrop holding space for white details to pop just above. It perhaps doesn’t pop quite as much as on the all-black version, but the vibrant red chronograph hand still brings a bold visual to the otherwise monochromatic design language, bringing that small sense of speed and danger from its racing pedigree. One small detail to note here is using the rounded, more vintage-style Porsche Design PD logo. Looking through the catalog, the brand seems to switch back and forth between this and the more modern logo. I certainly prefer this approach as it more accurately matches the original and celebrates the heritage that these vintage revival pieces are meant to.
Powering the 1975 limited edition is the Porsche Design WERK 01.240 automatic chronograph caliber with flyback functionality and day and date display. The movement is COSC certified, operating at 4Hz and achieving an adequate power reserve of 48 hours. By nature of the caliber, the case thickness is somewhat stout, measuring just over 14mm thick, though it still wears well thanks to the integrated nature of the design and lightweight titanium construction. Despite sporting a commemorative caseback, it is a shame that Porsche Design opted for a closed caseback rather than treating its wearers to a view of the movement, like you would get with the newer version of the All Black Numbered Edition.
At $9,650 retail, the new Chronograph 1 1975 limited edition certainly has its competition, though I am sure it will find its core cult audience akin to its predecessors. The 40mm chronograph still sits in the market as a bit of an if you know you know pick, though this new retail partnership may change things for the better. Perhaps a physical presence with a strong connection to a prominent media outlet will help Porsche Design shift from ephemeral icon to attainable individuality. After spending just a short time with the new Chronograph 1 1975, I think it is a solid offering in the catalog and a fun callback to an earlier reference, though I do think it would have made a bigger splash had it been steel and at a lower price point. That being said, it is aimed at a fairly specific, exclusive target market, and as much as I hate to admit it, I most likely won’t be owning a limited edition Porsche sports car any time soon. Porsche Design
