The Porsche Design Chronograph 1 911 S/T is only available for owners of the most desirable Porsche in years
Borna BošnjakThe car industry is perfect proof that hype is not a plague reserved just for watches. With multi-year waitlists, and insane dealer mark-ups, Porsche is spearheading the car hype movement, and their latest model is not likely to buck the trend. Essentially a wolf in a buff sheep’s clothing, the new 911 S/T is a tribute to the 1970 model of the same name which saw victory at Le Mans and the Nürburgring. To commemorate the model’s 60th anniversary, and as an extra treat for each of the 1,963 lucky owners of the new S/T, Porsche Design is unveiling two brand new variants of their Chronograph 1. The only issue: you have to own the car to be able to buy the watch. Taking cues from both the original car and the new introduction, the titanium-cased Chronograph 1 911 S/T is powered by a modified Valjoux 7750, with clever options for rotor customisation. With no shortage of iconic models from the past or exciting new additions to the Porsche line-up, I’m guessing this isn’t the last special-edition PD we see, either – just curious when they might revive the Ocean.
The original’s underpinnings were that of a road-going car, lightened and turned into a race car. For the new S/T, the base is Porsche’s GT3 RS, which is as close as you can get to a road-going race car from the brand. It’s missing some of the aero of the GT3 RS, though it shares the same four-litre flat six, though purists will likely appreciate the addition of a six-speed manual gearbox the most. Base price? A smidge over A$660,000, though you have to give a little breathing room for the watch too. I mean really, you can’t not get the watch as well, right?
Measuring in at 40.8mm in diameter and a chonky 15.15mm in height, the Chronograph 1 911 S/T should greatly benefit from its titanium construction. The entire case is glass bead-blasted and untreated, giving it an attractive, raw look. Both sides feature anti-reflective sapphire crystals, while the caseback and crown both screw down, giving it 10 bar of water resistance.
The full titanium bracelet almost looks integrated due to the hidden lugs of the case, and features a quick-release system. There’s also a choice of black or brown perforated leather straps, both made of the same leather that Porsche uses for their seats, and with titanium folding clasps that really drive home the racing inspiration.
The dial is where the Chronograph 1 gives special nods to its inspiration. For starters, the obvious ones sit above the day/date aperture at 3 o’clock in the form of a printed shifter pattern and 911 branding. More subtle Easter eggs are hidden in the sub-dials, with H, M and S for hours, minutes and seconds also taken from the font of the gearshift.
COSC-certified and equipped with a flyback function, the Porsche Design-branded WERK 01.240 is Valjoux-derived, which contributes to the overall tall dimensions of the watch and means a 48-hour power reserve and automatic winding. The full-size rotor is shaped like a Porsche wheel rim and is available in multiple colours, just like when picking the options for your own 911 S/T.
Porsche Design Chronograph 1 911 S/T pricing and availability
The Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 911 S/T is available now from Porsche Centres and Porsche Design Stores, exclusively to 911 S/T owners. Price: US$13,500
| Brand | Porsche Design |
| Model | Chronograph 1 911 S/T |
| Case Dimensions | 40.8mm (D) x 15.15mm (T) |
| Case Material | Titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Anti-reflective sapphire on both sides |
| Dial | Black |
| Strap | Titanium bracelet, black or brown perforated Porsche leather strap |
| Movement | WERK 01.240, automatic chronograph, Valjoux base |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, flyback, day, date |
| Availability | Now, limited to 1,963 pieces and exclusive to 911 S/T owners |
| Price | US$13,500 |