Event – Driving Porsche 911 & 718 Cayman with the Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer All Titanium on the wrist

Ever since Porsche Design has taken matters more into their own hands, after relying for decades on other watch companies to build watches for them, I’m warming up to the collection even more than before. I’ve always been a bit of a fanboy of what these Germans, related to that eponymous car brand, have been doing in the world of watches. The very first titanium chronograph, the very first black wristwatch, and even a watch with a built-in compass. I love it. When Porsche Design launched the 1919 Chronotimer, this time assembled in-house in Solothurn, Switzerland, we immediately asked to do a review of the 1919 Chronotimer All Titanium on the black rubber strap. Recently I’ve had the good fortune (read on to find out why…) to do another review of that watch, now on the titanium bracelet.

7 years ago

Introducing – Porsche Design 1919 Datetimer 70Y Sports Car Limited Edition – A Tribute to Porsche’s 70th Anniversary

70 years ago, in 1948, one of the most legendary car brands ever created was born. Its name: Porsche. Its earliest model: the 356, the predecessor of the illustrious 911. Yet, Porsche doesn’t only refer to a carmaker but also to a design centre – and not the worst of them to be honest – under the name Porsche Design. It happens that PD is also involved in the creation of timepieces – in fact already since 1972. THus, it makes sense to join forces between these two worlds and for this exact reason, Porsche Design pays tribute to this important anniversary by introducing the 1919 Datetimer 70Y Sports Car Limited Edition, a special edition limited to 1948 timepieces.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator Chronotimer Flyback Limited Edition (now with proprietary movement)

When Porsche Design makes a watch, it does so according to the “Deutsche Gründlichkeit” philosophy, a way of engineering and constructing everyday objects (with a bit of imagination) with as little fuss and as much efficiency as possible, all focused on the usability of the item. After the Porsche Design 1919 collection, it is now the Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator Chronotimer Flyback Limited Edition’s turn to receive the new flyback movement. Let’s find out more, shall we?

7 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 Desirable Brown Watches Launched in 2018

For the past 5 or 6 years, we’ve seen a massive array of blue watches launched on the market. All brands – really, all of them – had a blue version of an existing watch to show (with or without success though). So now that blue has become the new black, it is time for our dear watchmaking brands to come with something new. And if that’s not entirely established yet, it seems that brown watches could well be the upcoming trend. Here are 5 of them, launched at Baselworld 2018.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer Flyback Brown and Leather – New Colour and New Mechanics

As you’ve certainly come to expect, when seeing a Porsche Design watch on MONOCHROME, stuff like ergonomics, comfort, build-quality, value-for-money or understated design will be mentioned. And this article will be no exception, as Porsche Design introduces its newest sibling in the 1919 collection in a rich, brown, chocolaty hue. We go hands-on with the Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer Flyback Brown – which is more than just a new dial, but also features a new proprietary movement.

8 years ago

Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer x Porsche Driving Experience Winter

When it comes to sports chronographs, these used to be purpose-build timepieces. Now-a-days it’s rather a fashion/style statement, than anything else. However several decades ago, chronographs were mainly bought by gentlemen who had enough budget and time to enjoy playing around with fast cars. Competitiveness has always been a characteristic of mankind, especially of the 50% of human beings with more testosteron (also referred to as men.) A chronograph allowed them to measure time, and to compare lap times. And that’s what I didn’t do when I went to the North of Finland with Porsche Design for the Porsche Driving Experience Winter. Here’s a report about having fun in the snow, and on the ice, with pretty much the entire line-up of Porsche cars. I forgot to measure lap times, but when you see this video and the photos below, I’m sure you will understand. 

8 years ago

Hands-On – Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator 24H-Chronotimer LE, Racing Wristwatch Technology

Porsche Design is on a roll these last few years, and we fully support that. Well built, thoughtful designs along the quintessential German design aesthetics; properly crafted and free from unnecessary frills whilst remaining very ergonomic and superbly user friendly. The new Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator 24H-Chronotimer is no exception, as we told you before, and the extra special Limited Edition in black emphasizes that. Oh, and there is the historical relevance of a blackened Porsche Design watch.

8 years ago

In Review: The Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator 24H-Chronotimer

Over the last few years, Porsche Design has come out with several interesting new models, like the stealth-looking Chronotimer Series 1 and the classically understated 1919 Globetimer. Both demonstrate Porsche Design’s ongoing commitment to high-quality engineering, combined with pared back technical design. This trend continues in 2017, with the launch of the Monobloc Actuator 24H-Chronotimer, officially unveiled at Baselworld earlier this year. Join us as we review this remarkable new watch in-depth.

8 years ago

Introducing the Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT2RS Exclusive Series and 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series

Goodwood is one of those events that is a must-visit for every petrol head on the planet, and if the weather plays along, it’s absolutely fabulous! Goodwood has three main events during the year: Members Meeting (which marks the start of the racing season), Revival (after summer) and recently, Festival of Speed; the latter was the setting for Porsche to unveil their newest 911 GT2 RS. Now if you wonder what a watch journalist is doing at the Festival of Speed with Porsche (and Porsche Design), then there’s a good explanation for that and yes, it has everything to do with watches. Rather exclusive watches if I may say so, because you can only buy one if you bought either the recently introduced Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series or the new 911 GT2RS Exclusive Series.

8 years ago

Frank Geelen’s Baselworld 2017 Top 10 and Musing about the Fair

Back in 2008 the world faced a new challenge. The worldwide financial crisis began with the collapse of Lehman Brothers. The following year the watch industry was kind of nervous and saw a small drop in sales. And while the financial crisis went on, on a global scale (we’re still recovering from that), the big crisis in the watch industry didn’t really come through… yet. Last year was the first year that brands and luxury groups published numbers that showed serious signs of the crisis, and this year’s numbers are actually more than worrisome. This year the crisis could also be felt in the novelties as presented by the brands, not only during the SIHH in January, but also at the 100th edition of the Baselworld Watch & Jewelry show that has just come to an end. Still, it was possible to list ten watches that got me exited! However first some musings about this year’s edition of Baselworld…

9 years ago