Porsche Design Chronograph 1 1975

In the landscape of horology, certain designs possess a gravitational pull, creations so foundational that they inform decades of subsequent work. The original Porsche Design Chronograph I was such a creation, a watch that emerged in the early 1970s not from a traditional Swiss valley but from the mind of a car designer, Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. Half a century after a key evolution in its story, the brand revisits its own legacy with the Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition, a piece that captures the spirit of the original while reinterpreting it through modern materials and mechanics.

This new timepiece is a direct homage to the uncoated, raw-metal version of the chronograph that debuted in 1975, a departure from the all-black model that preceded it. It marks a significant moment for the brand, serving as the first release in a new family of uncoated models. This edition is not merely a reissue; it is a meticulously crafted statement piece, limited to just 350 units globally. It also carries the distinction of being the final watch to be produced in Porsche's Solothurn, Switzerland manufactory before production shifts to a new facility in Grenchen, making each of the 350 examples a piece of the brand's transitional history.



The identity of the Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition is forged in titanium. The entire case and its integrated bracelet are constructed from this advanced metal, chosen for its unique combination of properties: it is significantly lighter than steel yet remarkably robust and corrosion-resistant. Instead of a polished or brushed finish, the surfaces are glass-bead-blasted, a process that imparts a uniform, matte grey texture. This finish is entirely functional, minimizing reflections and underscoring the watch’s tool-like character, a direct philosophical link to the non-glare instruments of a Porsche 911 cockpit.

Visually, the case presents a strong, architectural form. The main case body is cylindrical, flowing cleanly into integrated lugs that create a seamless transition to the bracelet. This design choice makes the watch wear as a single, cohesive unit on the wrist. On the right side of the case, two classic "piston" style chronograph pushers flank a substantial, screw-down crown. The threading on the crown ensures a secure seal against the elements and contributes to the watch's water resistance, while its textured grip allows for easy operation. The case measures 14 mm in thickness, giving it a confident presence without feeling overly cumbersome.

The dial is a masterclass in functionalist design, rendered in a deep, matte black that serves as the perfect backdrop for its high-contrast elements. This non-reflective surface is critical to the watch's ethos of absolute legibility under all conditions. Three sub-dials are arranged in a traditional chronograph layout, tracking elapsed hours and minutes, as well as running seconds. At the three o'clock position, a neatly framed aperture displays both the day and the date, adding a layer of practical, everyday utility.



Every marking on the dial is designed for instant recognition. The hands and the blocky, applied hour indices are generously coated with Super-LumiNova, a phosphorescent material that provides bright, lasting luminescence in low-light environments. The chronograph hands, including the central seconds hand, are finished in a vibrant red, creating a stark, immediate visual separation from the primary time-telling hands. This color-coding is a deliberate choice, allowing the user to read elapsed time at a quick glance, a feature born from the demands of motorsports.

A signature element that has been faithfully retained is the unique shape of the minute hand. It is not a simple baton or sword hand; instead, it is a prominent rectangular shape that terminates in a fine, pointed tip. This design, often referred to as the "popsicle" hand in collector circles, was conceived by F. A. Porsche to draw the eye directly to the precise minute on the track, preventing any ambiguity in reading the time. It is a small detail that speaks volumes about the thought process behind the original's purpose-driven aesthetic.

Protecting the dial is a piece of sapphire crystal, a material second only to diamond in hardness and therefore exceptionally scratch-resistant. Porsche Design has taken this a step further by applying a hard coating to enhance its durability. More importantly, the crystal features a seven-fold anti-reflective coating on both its inner and outer surfaces. This extensive treatment virtually eliminates glare and reflections, making the crystal seem almost invisible from certain angles. This technology is directly derived from the engineering used to create the low-reflection cockpit displays in Porsche sports cars, reinforcing the deep connection between the brand's automotive and horological pursuits.

The solid case back of the watch is a deliberate nod to its heritage as a rugged tool watch, eschewing a display window in favor of a robust, threaded titanium plate. This solid back provides maximum protection for the movement within and serves as a canvas for important engravings. Prominently featured is the historic Porsche Design logo, the intertwined "PD" icon, which is a direct link to the 1975 original. The year "1975" is also engraved, cementing the watch's celebratory purpose. An additional engraving, "Flyback Automatic," denotes the advanced complication housed inside.



The integrated bracelet continues the material and finishing theme of the case. It is also crafted from glass-bead-blasted titanium, ensuring a consistent look and feel across the entire timepiece. The links are a flat, three-piece design that provides both strength and flexibility, conforming comfortably to the wrist. The bracelet tapers gently towards the clasp, a subtle refinement that enhances wearing comfort. In a nod to modern versatility, the watch is equipped with an interchangeable strap system, allowing the owner to easily swap the titanium bracelet for other options without the need for special tools.

At the heart of this limited edition beats the Porsche Design Caliber WERK 01.240, an automatic chronograph movement developed in-house. This is not merely a standard caliber; it has been rigorously tested and certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC). This certification guarantees its performance as a chronometer, meaning it has met stringent standards for accuracy and precision across various positions and temperatures, with a deviation of no more than -4 to +6 seconds per day.

The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, a modern standard that contributes to the smooth sweep of the seconds hand and aids in the movement's overall accuracy. It is built with 25 jewels to reduce friction at key points and offers a respectable power reserve of approximately 48 hours when fully wound. The winding system itself is described as energy-optimized, featuring a black PVD-coated rotor designed with the PD-Icon, efficiently translating the wearer's motion into power for the mainspring.

A key feature of the Caliber WERK 01.240 is its flyback function. In a standard chronograph, measuring consecutive events requires three separate actions: stop, reset, and restart. The flyback complication streamlines this process into a single push of the reset button. Pressing it causes the chronograph hand to "fly back" to zero and immediately begin timing again. This function was historically valuable for pilots and race car drivers who needed to time successive laps or navigation legs without missing a second.



The watch's practical capabilities are further underscored by its water resistance rating of 10 bar, which is equivalent to a depth of 100 meters. This level of resistance makes it suitable for swimming and other surface water activities. Porsche Design specifies that this is a "Dynamic" water resistance, a proprietary term indicating that the case construction provides reliable protection against water ingress even if the crown is accidentally pulled out to its setting position while submerged. This is an unusual and significant technical assurance that speaks to the robustness of the engineering.

The weight of the watch is listed at 200 grams. For a full titanium timepiece, this weight indicates a substantial, well-built construction, providing a feeling of quality and solidity on the wrist that belies the inherent lightness of the metal itself. Every aspect, from the material choice to the movement's features, has been considered to create a watch that is both a tribute and a high-performance instrument.

The design philosophy of Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche was rooted in the Bauhaus principle of "form follows function." He believed that a good design needed no embellishment; its quality should be inherent in its purposefulness and clarity. The original Chronograph I was the ultimate expression of this belief, stripping away all that was unnecessary to create a purely functional time-telling and time-recording device for the driver.

Being limited to only 350 pieces imparts a significant degree of exclusivity. This scarcity ensures that the watch will remain a rare sight, an object sought after by dedicated Porsche enthusiasts and serious watch collectors who appreciate the convergence of automotive and horological design history. Each piece is individually numbered on the case back, a unique identifier that confirms its place within this small production run.



This revival represents a thoughtful curation of the brand's past. Rather than simply reproducing the original, Porsche Design has enhanced it with 50 years of material and mechanical progress. The use of titanium and a modern, COSC-certified flyback movement elevates the original concept to contemporary performance standards while preserving the purity of its foundational design.

The Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition is positioned as a premium collector's piece, reflecting its specialized movement, advanced materials, and limited availability. With a retail price of $9,650.00, it is aimed at the discerning buyer who understands its unique place in design history. Available through Porsche Design's official channels, this 350-piece edition offers a rare opportunity to acquire a direct link to the legacy of F. A. Porsche, masterfully retold for today.

Case: Uncoated, glass-bead-blasted titanium case with a 14 mm thickness. Features a threaded crown and a solid, threaded titanium case back. Sapphire crystal with hard coating and seven-fold anti-reflective treatment on both sides. Water-resistant up to 10 bar with dynamic water resistance.

Movement: Porsche Design Caliber WERK 01.240 automatic flyback chronograph. COSC-certified. Features 25 jewels, a 48-hour power reserve, and a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz). Includes a black PD-Icon rotor.

Dial: Matte black dial with hands and indices coated in Super-LumiNova®. Features the historic Porsche Design logo and a signature rectangular minute hand with a pointed tip for enhanced legibility.

Strap: Integrated bracelet made from uncoated, glass-bead-blasted titanium. Equipped with an interchangeable strap system.

Price: $9,650.00

Reference Number: WAP0710310T075

Notes: Strictly limited to 350 pieces worldwide. This model celebrates the 1975 original and is the last chronograph to be produced at Porsche’s manufactory in Solothurn, Switzerland.