Introducing the Porsche Design Chronograph 1-1975 Limited Edition
The Porsche 911 is widely regarded as the pinnacle of perfection when it comes to cars, in the same way that watch enthusiasts regard pieces like the Royal Oak as perfect. The automotive and watchmaking industries are alike in many ways, with many collaborations serving as testimony to the proximity. For decades, Porsche Design has been bridging the gap between automobile and aesthetic lifestyle pieces, bringing together the best of both worlds with a large helping of iconic German design language.
Porsche design made its first foray into the horological sphere in 1972 with the original Chronograph 1, designed by none other than Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the father of the 911. In 1975 they brought out the stainless steel variant of the Chronograph 1, a watch that this latest release pays homage to on its 50th anniversary. While at first the Porsche Design Chronograph 1-1975 Limited Edition may not seem like anything new, it couldn’t be further from being just another reissue: it’s big, really big. Let’s dive right into the details…
The Basics
Case: 40.8 mm titanium, glass bead-blasted, screw-down crown and caseback
Crystal: Sapphire, scratch-proof with sevenfold AR coating on both sides
Movement: Porsche Design WERK 01.240 (flyback chronograph, COSC, day/date in German/English)
Water Resistance: 100 meters / 10 bar
Strap Options: Glass bead-blasted titanium bracelet with fine-adjustment folding clasp
Price: $9,650
Availability: Limited to 350 pieces, available through Watches of Switzerland, Mayors, Porsche Design Stores, and Porsche Centers starting July 23, 2025
The Juice
As previously mentioned, the Porsche Design Chronograph 1-1975 Limited Edition pays tribute to the eponymous 1975 stainless steel model. Porsche Design being Porsche Design couldn’t just produce an identical watch and call it a day. No, they brought it straight into the 21st century without compromising the original design, which like its sister, the 911, has stood the test of time impeccably. What exactly have they done to achieve this I hear you ask. For starters, the watch has now got a beautifully grainy beadblasted titanium case and bracelet that give it the vintage feel at the same time as being incredibly modern. The subtle yet significant change in material means that the watch has an enhanced utilitarian feel, something that made the original incredibly popular with military units across the world. The titanium element also pays homage to the first fully titanium wristwatch brought into the world by Porsche Design in 1980. These guys are serious pioneers in every industry they dip their toes into.
Unlike so many reissues, tributes, and homages, this Porsche Design Chronograph 1 has work really hard to capture the essence of the original watch without trying too hard to emulate patina and wear. Don’t get me wrong, faux-tina and custard lume definitely have their place in watchmaking, just not on this one. The aesthetic is uncompromised, sharp, and functional. Just looking at the images gives me the feeling that I am looking at ‘New Old Stock’ watch that’s had a couple of updates. They have aced the execution of this watch, which I am not wholly surprised by. After all, they are the same people responsible for one of the most timeless cars ever.
Behind the beautiful black high-contrast dial that looks to have been pulled straight from the dashboard of a 911, sits an absolute powerhouse: the Porsche Design WERK 01.240. This calibre is anything but dainty and vintage, much like the innards that sit in the roadgoing Porsches of today: there’s no messing around here. This is a no-nonsense high-performance flyback chronograph. It’s exactly what you need at high-speed, either driving or flying. In addition to this impressive complication come some more mundane but nonetheless crucial day/date displays, in both German and English which is a rare combination and a really nice touch in my opinion. To round this out, the calibre is COSC certified, meaning that you’ll be able to rely on it wherever you are, whatever the circumstances.
On top of being a celebration of the original 1975 model, this piece is also significant in its own right. Firstly, the 350 pieces limited edition run are the first time in years that a Porsche Design watch will be widely available to enthusiasts, regardless of whether they own a Porsche or not: a big milestone for an exclusive brand with a huge following, I mean who doesn’t love German design (I for one can’t get enough of it). This watch is also the physical embodiment of a new partnership between Watches of Switzerland and Porsche Design, that will see the watches deployed across their US locations for enthusiasts to come into contact with.
Final Thoughts
The Porsche Design Chronograph 1-1975 Limited Edition is the result of the collision of bombproof brand identity and heritage. With this piece, Porsche Design have show the utmost respect for the watches that have come before without becoming prisoner to them. They are unapologetic and purposeful. There’s no faux patina, no gratuitous “vintage” touches, just titanium, legibility, and a fabulous movement. This watch gives me the same feeling of excitement that it would have given a collector in 1975 when it first came out: I want to see more of this from brands.
It’s not a cheap watch by any metric, but it's not trying to be. What you're buying into is Porsche Design’s design lineage, the same design DNA that gave us the 911. And you're wearing it in a way that feels mechanically and materially justified. It’s limited, but not a gimmick. It’s modern, but not trendy. In short: it’s a damn solid reissue. Limited to 350 pieces, this watch will retail for $9,650. Learn more here.
