Stuttgart. Porsche Design is setting new standards in the art of watchmaking with the manufacture of Swiss wristwatches using a concept more commonly found in sports car factories. For the first time, Porsche and watch enthusiasts now have the opportunity to select from around 1.5 million design configuration possibilities to create their own high-quality custom timepiece to match their personal dream car.
It has taken nearly six years from the foundation of Porsche Design Timepieces AG in Solothurn, Switzerland, to bring the highly complex project to life as it far exceeds the already established Porsche Club and Porsche Design for Porsche watch projects. “To make this dream a reality, we are taking the established concept of Swiss watchmaking and, working with the best suppliers in the region, moving it on to the next level,” says Rolf Bergmann, Managing Director of Porsche Design Timepieces AG, Solothurn, describing the innovative program.
After the world's first entirely matte-black wristwatch was designed in 1972 by the creator of the legendary Porsche 911, Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, and the first titanium timepiece in 1980, Porsche Design has now, in the 21st century, reached its next milestone: the world’s first series production wristwatch that can be customized right down to the movement. With more than 1.5 million different design configuration possibilities, the configurator facilitates the creation of a watch tailored to each customer’s personal taste. "No other car manufacturer or watch brand currently offers a program of this kind. The colors, types of leather and decorative stitching on these chronographs all originate from automotive production,” adds Jan Becker, CEO of Porsche Design Group.
This innovative concept fulfills the long-standing desire among many Porsche customers to purchase a chronograph for their wrist that matches the dream sports car in their garage. "We have come full circle: Ferdinand Alexander Porsche laid the foundation of the Porsche Design brand in 1972 with the Chronograph 1 after having previously designed the Porsche 911 and now we are taking the next logical step and are applying the principles of sports car engineering to the production of our Swiss-made wristwatches. The Porsche Design custom-built Timepieces program is making the dream of many 911 drivers come true,” continues Becker.
In the near future, Porsche Design will provide additional options that align with other Porsche models.
From the Porsche 911 to timepieces and back
After leaving the Porsche company in 1972, Prof. F. A. Porsche returned to his native Austria and founded his own design studio in Zell am See. His first project was an exceptional wristwatch for customers, employees, and business partners. The world’s first black chronograph was born – and is today considered a timepiece classic of the 20th century. It was worn by Formula 1® stars and celebrated its cinematic world premiere on the wrist of Tom Cruise in the first “Top Gun” movie in 1986. "With Ferdinand Alexander Porsche as the founder of Porsche Design and creator of the Porsche 911, we have the ultimate connection and ability to authentically merge our iconic timepieces with automotive engineering expertise. For Porsche Design, watches have been the central theme in the almost 50-year history of this company,” says Gerhard J. Novak, Managing Director of Porsche Design Timepieces.
The new Porsche Design custom-built Timepieces program starts in Germany on July 1, 2020, followed by the UK and U.S. on September 1, 2020 at all participating Porsche dealerships . The English version of the Internet Timepieces Configurator will also be available as of September 2020. For further information please visit https://www.porsche-design.com/custom-built-timepieces/.
With the launch of a revolutionary program based on production principles utilized in Porsche sports car manufacturing, Porsche Design is taking the creation of exclusive Swiss wristwatches to the next level with the Porsche Design custom-built Timepieces program. This is the first time the concept of a fully customized timepiece, perfectly tailored to match one’s dream Porsche, will enter into series production.
The centerpiece: The Porsche Design watch configurator
The menu navigation and overall design of the new watch configurator are based on the well-established Porsche car configurator. Just like the Porsche 911 range, the watch is digitally visualized down to the smallest detail to provide customers with a realistic depiction of their dream timepiece. "The rendering model is based on CAD data from our designers at Studio F. A. Porsche in Zell am See and our engineers in Solothurn," says Rolf Bergmann, Managing Director of Porsche Design Timepieces AG. The features, including the pricing for each respective configuration, are displayed in real time. A basic custom-built Timepiece starts at $6,000 USD and, depending on the options selected, can range up to $12,500 and includes up to three additional leather straps. Orders are placed exclusively through Porsche dealers and delivery will take eight to 12 weeks. The program will be launched with all participating Porsche dealers in Germany on July 1, 2020, followed by the UK and U.S. on September 1, 2020.
