Porsche Design Introduces Its Configurator — Customize Your Chronograph With New Colors And Finishes
Porsche Design was started in 1972 by F.A. Porsche, the accomplished designer behind the iconic ’60s 911. The company is now completely separate from Porsche cars, but let’s face it, we know that close family ties are still there. This is no more visible than in today’s sharp range of sports watches, Teutonic in design and nothing but function-forward. From the tempting DLC-vintage versions made by IWC to today’s techy sports references, Porsche Design timepieces have that a tech-tool image. But did you know that Porsche Design lets you customize its your own chronograph with its new Configurator?
Porsche Design plays in the same league of instrument-focused watches as Sinn and also IWC’s foray into sports and diver’s watches. And while I do enjoy a touch of polished bevel and glinting white gold indices, this is a different style altogether. Spare, straight-edged, and predominantly monochrome black, it speaks a serious language. Now the blacked-out cool of a Porsche Design chronograph can be bespoke, configured just like a new sports car.
Configuratively speaking
I do love a good pun, and let’s face it, this article is about Porsche Design adding a welcome dash of fun into its tech-focused wrist tools. Picking up the Porsche family ties once again, the Porsche Design watches have always had a strong connection to the 911. This time, however, the brand underlines the bond with an even stronger aesthetic tie to the curvy sports car. We all know it’s iconic without me saying it, right? Whether you own or have just ordered your 911 (you lucky sod), or enjoy the Teutonic toughness of a Porsche Design chronograph, the options in the Configurator are boundless.
But, I know: what about the watch itself? Does this sports chronograph appeal to non-Porsche fan? I’d say that even on its own, the Porsche Design Chronotimer here is a sharp sports watch that’s worth a look.
A good, modern chronograph
The Porsche Design WERK 01.100 caliber looks ETA- or Sellita-based and is now COSC-certified. Custom options include various rotors for the movement. To be honest, I did find this a tad cheesy, as I don’t have a 911 to match the alloy-wheel designs. The standard black rotor, however, gives the right tech-tough image that the watch deserves. The 42mm titanium case is a modernist tool with a decent 14.6mm thickness and either a form-fitted leather strap or a titanium bracelet. There’s the classic German twist of what looks like a vertical-split twin-register layout typical of Porsche Design, but it is, in fact, an optical illusion. There is a running seconds register at 9 o’clock, but it’s minimalist enough to miss at first glance, and the rest of the dial offers first-class legibility.
Bespoke with a choice of popping colors
The watch is highly customizable through some studied choices linked to 911 paint colors. The rehaut itself is available in a vast choice of colors, including classic Porsche tints like Rubystar, Gulfblue, and Mintgreen. The case itself can be black DLC-coated or smooth bead-blasted titanium, and obviously, I couldn’t help but configure my own chronograph. I like the blacked-out Porsche Design tradition, so I went for all-black DLC titanium with a black bracelet and a searing yellow for the rehaut. The bezel can be a tachymeter or a 60-second counter, and as you can see, I went with the latter.
As a modern Porsche Design sports watch, this customizable chronograph is not necessarily just for 911 owners. In fact, I kind of desire one myself. Manufacturers take note: customization increases the appeal of any watch. Base prices for these start at €4,950, while my creation comes in at €6,450. No, this is not cheap, but it is stealth-cool and might be worth the investment if you like unique watches.
Are at least some of the Fratelli out there petrolheads too? What do you think, is the Porsche Design Configurator tempting even if you don’t own a fierce 911? Let us know in the comments.
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