Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Speedster Timepieces

The link between Porsche Design and Porsche Cars isn’t just a name on a product. The collaboration between these two entities goes way beyond that. We’ve seen motoring technology applied to pushers on a chronograph. Multiple elements of design are inspired by the cars. For the latest watch in the collection, Porsche Design brings a Speedster-inspired model, as the perfect treat to complement your car. And the mechanics aren’t left aside either.

Inspired by (and matching) the new Porsche 911 Speedster

Earlier this year, Porsche introduced a car that has become a tradition for the brand, a signature, exclusive, quite radical take on the 911: the Speedster. What is the “Speedster” concept, especially since the 911 is already available as a convertible? Well, take a GT3 version, with its naturally aspirated, race-inspired Flat-6 engine, a manual gearbox, a lowered chassis and widened body… Then chop the roof, remove the back seats, add a short windscreen and a basic, temporary roof (you hardly can name that a hood) and it gives one of the most exclusive and fun models in the range. And one that is, on paper, totally unconvenient. Which makes it cool!

The new Porsche 911 Speedster type 991 has been presented in two versions, one classic, modern-themed model in red with black interior (overall racing-inspired). The second model, a tribute to the Porsche 356 “Nr.1”, with the so-called Heritage Design Package, comes with vintage-inspired adornments on its bodywork and old-fashioned coloured interior. The car is limited to 1,948 pieces AND Porsche Design is launching conincidentally a watch to match the cars.

The new Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Speedster Timepieces are available, just like the cars, in two versions. One black with red accents and overall modern/racing style. One non-coated with vintagey elements.

The base for these Chronograph 911 Speedster watches is well-knonw, as being the Chronotimer Series 1. Still, for the occasion, multiple elements have been uodated – dials, bezels, straps and, mainly, mechanics – to give these timepeices the same aura as the cars that inspired them.

Style and mechanics

The base for these new Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Speedster Timepieces is 42mm case, which is, as you can expect from Porsche Design, made of sandblasted titanium. The watch features an ergonimic case with round surfaces and curvated lugs, making it comfortable on the wrist. As being a racing chronograph, it also comes with the indispensable tachymeter bezel, executed in black with white engraved scale on both versions.

As said, two editions of the Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Speedster Timepieces are available. The frist one is a classically-themed watch, with a black coated case, a carbon fibre dial, a black leather strap, all being adorned with various red accents (70 on the tachymeter scale, stitchings…) This coems as a perfect match with the modernly designed version of the 991 Speedster.

The second model is inspired by the Heritage Design Package version of the Speedster, with its non-coated sandblasted titanium case, its matte black dial, its cognac-coloured strap (same leather as the car) and various green accents on the watch (an homage to the first 356, the numbers and markers are green, just like the tachometer of the legendary sports car). Overall, a more elegant and heritage-inspired version.

But… that’s just the beginning. Indeed, just as the 911 Speedster is customized according to the wishes of the future owner, the matching chronographs can also be custom-designed. For instance, the design of the rotor can be chosen to match the vehicle’s rims. The made-to-order leather strap with interchangeable wristband system (one of the best systems we’ve seen, by the way) comes in the same leather and yarn used in the matching vehicle’s interior. Thus, be sure to have a watch that is fully matching your customized car.

Inside the case of the Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Speedster is an equally-Porsche engine. The watch features the calibre WERK 01-200, a proprietary movement developed according to Porsche Design’s requirement. Based on the 7750 architecture – though highly modified – it features a Flyback mechanism, a tungsten winding mass, and a rotor resembling the magnesium wheels of the 911 Speedster. It displays hours, minutes, and small seconds and on the 9 o’clock position is a so called “mechanical function display” that shows that the watch is running – in place of the traditional small seconds indicator. The movement is executed in matte black. The wheel-shaped rotor is available in bright metal or black coated.

Availability and price

This is where things gets a little trickier. Indeed, getting your hands on one of these Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Speedster Timepieces won’t be as easy as entering a Porsche Design boutique and pulling out your credit card. The watches themselves, limited to 1,948 pieces (same as the cars), will be priced at USD 12,911… but it will cost you in fact around USD 300,000 altogether, as the watch will be exclusively available at Porsche Centres worldwide to future owners of the Porsche 911 Speedster or Porsche 911 Speedster with Heritage Design Package. You want the watch… Get the car too (or maybe that’s the other way around…)

More details at www.porsche-design.com.