WAT C H E S
Now Porsche
Design is very much the car maker’s
in-house watch brand
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car company. Chief technical officer Rolf Bergmann talks about bringing the car maker’s expertise to bear on the watches, a process which is emerging in the brand’s flagship models, through unique touches such as water-perforated leather straps (smaller holes, closer together, more comfortable) and extremely detailed dial construction. Te end results are a bit on-the-nose sometimes – I’ve always thought that one of the best things about Porsche Design was that it didn’t feel like you were buying branded merchandise (hello Ferrari!). But Porsche Design’s new strategy brings it that much closer to the cars in more ways than one: the exclusive, limited editions for 911 Turbo S and GT2RS have been marketed as optional extras to the supercars, available on a first- refusal basis to the 500 or so individuals who will be taking delivery of the cars and only sold openly via Porsche dealerships aſter that. Beyond the aesthetics, the brand has
made a statement with the creation of a new flyback chronograph movement, a big investment that was debuted in a limited edition dedicated to the 911 Turbo S in 2017, and is powering three new models
SEP T E M B ER 2 0 18
this year. One is the superbly titled Monobloc Actuator. It may sound like the kind of thing James Bond would need to prise from the hands of an evil genius to save the world from certain destruction, but it is in fact a quirky chronograph design that does away with extruding “pushers” (watch- speak for buttons) in favour of a split-piece case that rocks from side to side when you want to start and stop timing. It’s quite in keeping with Porsche Design’s history of smooth-sided modern case shapes and neo- industrial textures, but some would also find it a little on the burly side. Much more my thing is the new 1919 Chronotimer Flyback in brown (pictured right) – so Seventies – with its wire frame lugs, tapered pushers and knurled crown. Also worth a look is the more discreet 1919 Datetimer 70Y Sports Car limited edition), a time-only model produced to mark the car brand’s 70th anniversary this year. I’m not quite ready to declare Porsche
Design a force to be reckoned with – the proof of the pudding will be in the sales – but linking the watchmaking in more than just name with its all-conquering automotive namesake is a confident, and confidence- inspiring, move. BT
bus ine s s tr a v el ler .c om
ABOVE AND BELOW: Monobloc Actuator Chronotimer Flyback Special Edition; Monobloc Actuator Chronotimer Flyback Brown and Leather
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