Porsche Design Releases a New Chronograph 1 Paying Tribute to 75 Years of Porsche

Sometimes, weird things happen on the watch release calendar that result in an almost mystical kind of synergy. We didn’t plan today as “racing inspired chronograph day,” but the surprise release of a new Rolex Daytona paying tribute to the 100th anniversary of Le Mans and an equally surprising new Seiko chronograph with more than a little racing and competitive timing heritage means that today is all about the many flavors of tracking elapsed time. Rounding out a trilogy of new chronographs today, we have news of the latest limited edition from Porsche Design, a special variant of the Chronograph 1 celebrating 75 years of Porsche. 

As car enthusiasts are likely well aware, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the first Porsche, the 356 No. 1 roadster. In the decades since, Porsche has become not just one of the most important carmakers in the world, but one of the most recognizable brands of any type. Porsche vehicles are known all over the world, and their iconic silhouettes and designs can be easily recognized even by people who don’t count themselves as car aficionados. The new watch, according to Porsche Design, is a tribute to the culture and legacy Porsche has built. 

The Chronograph 1 75 Years of Porsche Edition is very similar to the 1972 Limited Edition variant of the watch released last year, and discussed by Blake here. The differences are honestly so minute, they might only be appreciated by the most rabid Porsche Design collectors, but this is a hobby that’s all about the little details, so perhaps it’s unsurprising that only a trained eye could spot them. I think what most collectors will see right away is that this new reference makes use of the modern Porsche Design logo and wordmark on either side of the day and date apertures, whereas last year’s watch used a logo from the brand’s earliest days. Of course, it comes down to personal preference as to which you prefer. The 1972 Limited Edition is a concerted effort to create something that looks like it could have been made in 1972, down to the smallest detail, while the 75 Years of Porsche Edition is clearly meant as a modern counterpart. 

Other elements of the new watch are identical to the 1972 LE, including the dial layout and, of course, the black titanium carbide coated case, which measures 40.8mm in diameter and a hair over 14mm tall. The tachymeter scale layout is slightly different on the new LE, and this version is mounted to a textile strap with leather backing in the colors of the brand’s logo as opposed to a matching bracelet. 

The watch runs on the WERK 01.140 chronograph caliber, described by the brand as “a Porsche Design caliber,” but would appear to share some of the lineage as the vaunted Valjoux 7750 based on dial layout and the unmistakable day/date display at 3:00. The caliber is COSC certified, and can be viewed, in part, at least, through a soapphire caseback that’s been decorated with “Fuchs rotor” design that deep Porsche fans will enjoy, complete with the Porsche logo at its center. 

The Porsche Design Chronograph 1 75 Years of Porsche edition is limited to 475 pieces, and carries a retail price of $11,000. It’s available to order now, with delivery set to begin in July. Porsche Design