Collaborations between watch brands and supercar brands are not new. Many have existed, exist now, and many will exist in the future. While these collaborations don't always work to the benefits of both brands, it's hard to fault marketing teams trying as it's difficult to argue that those passionate about supercars are not the same loving a cool sporty chronograph. Indeed the roots of the chronograph complication and motor sports run deep.
However, unlike all other watch brands only one can argue to have the same design DNA as the supercar brand it is partnering with. Porsche Design Timepieces has the same roots as Porsche AG. It was founded by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, original designer of the iconic 911 car line and son of Ferry Porsche who originally founded the car company near Stuttgart, 70 years ago in 1948.
For this year, the common ancestry and heritage are showcased fully with the introduction of a special flyback chronograph that matches the rare 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series sports car: the Chronotimer Exclusive limited. As a matter of fact, only owners of the car will be able to also order a watch, customized to match the color scheme of the car.
This includes a running seconds constantly reminding of the iconic Turbo S moniker and a caseback with a rotating rotor that can be perfectly matched with the car's wheels. Even the strap's leather and stitching will, you guessed it, match the exclusive upholstery of the car's.
Six accented colored options will be available, matching the available color schemes for the car: golden yellow metallic (shown above), agate grey metallic, carrera white metallic, black, guards red, or graphite blue metallic. Each watch is linked to the respective individual limited numbered car (001 to 500) and can only be ordered at the Porsche Centers when you order the car.
Since very few of us will be able to own a Porsche 911 Turbo S, Porsche Design is also introducing a non-limited version of the Chronotimer Flyback in black, accentuating the non-customized parts of the exclusive watch. For instance the carbon fiber dial and the red chronograph hands and line on the pushers.
At 42 mm in diameter and just under 14 mm in height but constructed in super light titanium with black carbide coating, the watch fit well on my 17.2 cm wrist as you can see from the photos above. Overall a sporty chronograph that any car enthusiast would be happy to wear at the track or attending the next race.
New also for Baselworld 2018 is the 1919 Chronotimer Flyback chronograph in a beautiful matching brown dial and leather. The watch itself is not new and has been available in different color, leather, and complications.
Another solid chronograph showcasing Porsche Design's heritage in style but also motorsports with design cues like the skeletonize case which reminds of modern sports car's obsessive attempt at reducing weight.
Finally, and perhaps my favorite Porsche Design model, the Monoblock Actuator 24H-Chronotimer GMT in black PVD with rubber strap. This is the same model introduced last year with the integrated chronograph pushers on asymmetrical case.
However, this time the watch includes a discreet GMT hand with a red arrow. Balancing the red accents of the chronograph hands is a red and white running seconds disk at 9 o'clock. Overall a nice evolution on the sporty chronograph by Porsche Design which remains unique, sporty, and affordable (around $7,000); perfect for car and watch aficionados alike.
Visit your local Porsche Design store or their web site to enquire about local prices and availability.
One of the winners in the 2019 GPHG awards in the first week of November was a two year old upstart watch brand from Kuala Lumpur named MING Watches. The young brand won best watch in the Challenge category at the Geneva show to the delight of its founder and watch aficionados who have regularly helped sell out the brand’s 11 prior releases since its debut of the 17.01 watch.
MING watches are not limited per we but are produced in small batches of a few hundreds, which in effect make them limited. A quick perusal to their web site shows that all models, except for the two new 2019 models have sold out. Interestingly the new models are also priced much higher than the previous ones. However, before getting ahead of ourselves, how does one go about seeing or trying on a MING watch?