Porsche Design abandons its signature black case design in favor of a titanium tribute to its 1975 Chronograph 1 model.
The Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition is a commemorative watch released in 2025 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original uncoated stainless-steel Chronograph I, which debuted in 1975. This new edition pays homage to the innovative design legacy initiated by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, who originally released the groundbreaking all-black Chronograph I in 1972.
Limited to just 350 pieces, the 2025 model is a significant departure from its predecessor, as it is the first Porsche Design watch to use uncoated titanium in full for both the case and bracelet. This material offers superior strength, durability, and lightness compared to the original stainless steel.
History and Design
The original Chronograph I from 1975 was Porsche Design’s first uncoated stainless-steel chronograph, following the revolutionary all-black Chronograph I launched in 1972, which was the world's first all-black watch. The original black coating was inspired by anti-glare coatings developed for fighter jets. The 1975 edition shifted to an industrial, uncoated look for a stripped-back style complementing Porsche’s motorsport instruments.
For the 2025 Limited Edition, the design returns to this uncoated aesthetic but uses advanced titanium, significantly improving wearability and robustness. The dial design references the dashboard of the iconic Porsche 911, featuring matte black with white numerals and indices for high contrast, plus a bold red stop-seconds hand, maintaining the motorsport roots.
Key Features of the 1975 Limited Edition
| Feature | Description | |---------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Case & Bracelet Material | Uncoated, glass bead-blasted titanium (first time full titanium used on a non-limited Porsche car watch) | | Movement | COSC-certified automatic chronograph (WERK 01.140), 48-hour power reserve | | Dial | Matte black with white numerals and indices, inspired by Porsche 911 dashboard, red seconds hand | | Size | Approximately 40mm case size (similar to original design aesthetics) | | Limited Edition | 350 pieces worldwide | | Other Design Elements | High contrast for readability, asymmetric pushers, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating (inspired by original but updated for durability) | | Historical Engraving | ‘Chronograph 1 – 1972’ engraving pays tribute to the original iconic model | | Legacy Significance | Last chronograph handcrafted in Porsche Design’s Solothurn facility before moving production to Grenchen[1][2][3][4]
Importance
The watch is a celebration of industrial design history and motorsport heritage. It pioneered aesthetic and functional elements that influenced the luxury sports watch industry, such as its matte, anti-glare finish, tool-less strap system, and clear legibility driven by dashboard instrument design. The 2025 Limited Edition maintains Porsche Design’s legacy of blending luxury with purposeful design and modern watchmaking precision[2][3].
In summary, the Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition is both a tribute and an evolution: it honors the historic design codes set by Porsche Design in the 1970s while updating materials and mechanics for today’s luxury watch market, making it a milestone collectible for enthusiasts and design purists alike[1][2][3][4].
- This commemorative watch, the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition, is not only a tribute to Porsche's motorsport heritage but also a significant contribution to the lifestyle segment, as it combines luxury with purposeful design and modern watchmaking precision.
- Though the 2025 model departs significantly from its 1975 predecessor, it still maintains an industrial, uncoated aesthetic, embodying the style of Porsche’s motorsport instruments and paying homage to the original model's groundbreaking anti-glare coating.
- Alongside being a remarkable addition to one’s watch collection, this limited edition, with only 350 pieces available worldwide, is also a valuable investment, considering its advancements in materials like uncoated titanium and its references to Porsche's home-and-garden elements, such as the iconic 911 dashboard.
- In the realm of wearables, technology, and gadgets, the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition stands out as a testament to the convergence of outdoor-living and modern design, appealing to both avid Porsche enthusiasts and design aficionados alike.
