Hot on the heels of the opening of Porsche Design’s new watch manufacture in Grenchen, Switzerland, Hodinkee and Watches of Switzerland (the exclusive authorized watch retailer of Porsche Design in the U.S.), hosted an evening with the brand here in New York City. The night served as a perfect window for local collectors to explore Porsche Design’s approach to watchmaking, including the latest watches and an impressive selection of heritage timepieces from the brand. After some time spent mingling and socializing along a bay of new and vintage Porsche 911s parked on Greene Street, attention turned to the conversation between Hodinkee Editor TanTan Wang and Porsche Design Brand Ambassador (and actor) Orlando Bloom.
In a wide-ranging discussion, TanTan and Orlando discussed the history of Porsche Design watches, highlights from their shared visit to the brand’s newly opened Swiss Manufacture, and speculation about what’s to come from the iconic design house. Housed at the base of the Jura Mountains, in the former home of Eterna Watches, the new headquarters of Porsche Design Timepieces represents a clear example of “The Porsche Way” of watchmaking. Since Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche expanded his design philosophy from cars into the large Porsche Design lifestyle brand in the 1970s, the new factory allows the brand to further its extraordinary level of technological innovation and intelligent design.
A watchmaker from the newly opened Swiss Manufacture showcased the customizable genuine Porsche interior leather straps available for the Chronograph 1
A preview of the forthcoming Chronograph 1 models highlighted the All-Black Numbered Edition and All-Titanium releases with colored straps made of genuine Porsche interior leather. Previous models had featured a titanium bracelet matching the respective cases, either black-coated or glass bead-blasted finishing. Now, leather straps designed especially for the Chronograph 1 offer four Porsche colors (Black, Guards Red, Classic Cognac, and Dark Night Blue) for additional personalization. Built with a tool-free, quick-change system and boasting specific leather used to finish the interiors of Porsche cars, these new straps offer Porsche Design lovers a new way of wearing and making their watches their own.
There’s a sort of peace and tranquility in a watch manufacture – there’s a continuity about how this all fits in the same world.
Orlando Bloom, Porsche Dsign Brand Ambassador, ACtor
Vintage and modern Porsches lined Greene Street in front of Watches of Switzerland SoHo
Following the discussion, guests at the event had the opportunity to explore a tremendous display of archival Porsche Design watches, including iconic models like the first Chronograph I (1972), Compass (1978), Ocean 2000 (1982), and Ladies Watch (1976). A Porsche Design watchmaker, who made the trip from Switzerland, served as a welcome ambassador for Porsche Design’s watchmaking program and shared more stories from the Timepieces Manufaktur. As the first automotive manufacturer operating its own watchmaking facility, the Porsche Way of watchmaking centers customization and personalization as its core. In front of a room populated by enthusiastic collectors, it’s clear the Porsche Way of Swiss Watchmaking is something special.
This event was produced in partnership with Porsche Design and Watches of Switzerland.
