The History of Porsche Design and the Chronograph 1

Porsche Design began as a design studio founded in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, affectionately known as “Butzi,” the creator of the Porsche 911. Today, it has evolved into a luxury subsidiary selling a wide range of products worldwide—from luggage and sunglasses to coffee makers and apparel—available in brand boutiques around the globe.

My wife’s favorite Porsche Design bag purchased at PECLA

The Chronograph 1 is known as the world’s first all-black wristwatch, introduced by Porsche Design in 1972. Initially, these watches were manufactured by a company called Orfina, but in 1978 production shifted to a partnership with IWC. From 1998 to 2014, the Eterna brand took over manufacturing, and today Porsche Design produces its watches in-house.

A Special Chronograph Celebrating 50 Years of the 911 Turbo

The latest creation from Porsche Design is a model commemorating the legendary 911 Turbo’s 50th anniversary—a car many consider a groundbreaking masterpiece in Porsche’s history. When it debuted in 1974, the 911 Turbo stunned the world as the fastest street car. Its wide wheel arches, whale tail spoiler, breathtaking acceleration, and top speed of 240 km/h made it a true design classic.

This special Chronograph 1 – 911 Turbo 50th Anniversary model is a limited edition of 500 pieces. It was created to honor the fact that the original Chronograph 1 was launched around the same time as the first Turbo.

Features of the Chronograph 1 – 911 Turbo 50th Anniversary Model

This model boasts the following features:

1. Case: Made of lightweight titanium with a scratch-resistant titanium carbide coating.
2. Dial: Designed based on the three main instruments visible through the steering wheel of the original Turbo model, featuring the same white hands and indexes.
3. Chronograph seconds hand: Vivid red, inspired by the needles of the car’s speedometer and tachometer.
4. Flyback function: The word “Flyback” appears above the 6 o’clock position, indicating the chronograph hand can be stopped, reset, and restarted with a single push.
5. Font: Uses the font from the dashboard of the classic 911.
6. Logo: Features the Porsche Design logo identical to that of the 1972 Chronograph 1.

Attention to Detail on the Case Back and Strap

The case back also shows meticulous craftsmanship. The sapphire crystal case back is engraved with the instantly recognizable “Turbo” logo. Beneath it sits an automatic winding rotor inspired by the famous cloverleaf pattern of the car’s Fuchs wheels, with the Porsche crest at its center.

The strap pays homage to the original Turbo production cars with beige leather and textile leather, also featuring the “Turbo” logo. Additionally, each of the 500 limited edition watches comes with an extra black titanium bracelet.

This Chronograph 1 – 911 Turbo 50th Anniversary model is assembled at Porsche Design’s manufacturing facility in Solothurn, Switzerland, and is priced at $1,200 (approximately 1.7 million yen).

Porsche Design watches are more than just timekeeping tools—they embody the history and spirit of Porsche cars. The latest Chronograph 1 model, which has evolved alongside the 911 Turbo’s 50-year legacy, is a must-have for anyone purchasing the 911 Turbo 50th Anniversary edition.

Unfortunately, there is currently no official Porsche Design boutique in Japan, so the only option for now is personal importation.