Porsche Design Chronograph 1 Marks 100 Years Of The Nürburgring
Few places in motorsport carry the same mythology as Germany’s Nürburgring Nordschleife. As the circuit approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027, Porsche is marking the occasion with a special version of the 911 GT3, accompanied by an equally exclusive timepiece: the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 911 GT3 100 Jahre Nürburgring.
Produced exclusively for owners of the anniversary 911 GT3, the chronograph combines Porsche Design’s historic instrument-inspired aesthetic with details taken directly from the car and the legendary circuit.
A Modern Interpretation of an Icon
The watch is part of the long-running Chronograph 1 family, originally designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche in 1972. Its distinctive black instrument aesthetic remains central to the design, but the anniversary edition introduces a number of details specifically developed around the 911 GT3 100 Jahre Nürburgring.
The case measures 40.80 mm in diameter and 14.15 mm in thickness and is made from titanium. A black titanium carbide coating gives the case its characteristic dark appearance while reinforcing the technical, functional character associated with the Chronograph 1.
Water resistance is rated at 100 metres, while the front is protected by a sapphire crystal treated with seven layers of anti-reflective coating on both sides. A screw-down crown contributes to the watch’s robustness, while the sapphire display caseback is secured with screws and engraved with the individual number of each limited-edition piece.
A Dashboard-Inspired Dial
The black dial follows the same functional philosophy that has defined Porsche Design chronographs for decades. White numerals, markers and hands provide strong contrast, while the flange incorporates a tachymeter scale.
The chronograph layout places the 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock and the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock, with running seconds positioned at 9 o’clock. At 3 o’clock, the watch incorporates a German-English day-date display, adding practicality without disturbing the highly legible layout.
The 9 o’clock sub-dial receives one of the edition’s more distinctive details: a green Aero Disc graphic inspired by the forests surrounding the Nordschleife. A Nürburgring logo also appears on the dial, providing a direct connection to the circuit commemorated by the watch.
For nighttime visibility, the hands and indices are treated with Super-LumiNova, preserving the instrument-like legibility of the design in low-light conditions.
COSC-Certified Automatic Chronograph
Powering the watch is the Porsche Design Calibre WERK 01.140, an automatic chronograph based on a Sellita movement and certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
The movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides approximately 48 hours of power reserve. Through the sapphire caseback, the customised rotor becomes one of the most interesting elements of the watch.
Rather than using a conventional decorative rotor, Porsche Design has reproduced the wheel of the anniversary 911 GT3. It features a California Gold finish and a black centre-lock hub with GT3 lettering, effectively turning part of the car’s design into a component of the watch.
Porsche Interior Leather on the Wrist
The connection with the 911 GT3 continues onto the strap. The main strap is manufactured from genuine black Porsche interior leather, incorporating perforations, a green textile backing and GT Silver contrast stitching.
The combination is designed to echo the materials and colours found inside the anniversary car.
Porsche Design also supplies a second green textile hook-and-loop strap, giving owners an alternative to the leather configuration. Both straps can be exchanged without tools using the brand’s quick-change system, allowing the watch to be adapted in seconds.
Exclusively for the 911 GT3 100 Jahre Nürburgring
The exclusivity of this Chronograph 1 goes beyond its production number. Unlike a conventional limited-edition Porsche Design watch, it is reserved exclusively for customers purchasing the Porsche 911 GT3 100 Jahre Nürburgring.
Production is limited to just 100 pieces, with each watch individually numbered. The watches will be made to order at Porsche Design’s manufacture in Grenchen, Switzerland, with availability scheduled to begin in September 2026.
Priced at € 9,950, the Chronograph 1 – 911 GT3 100 Jahre Nürburgring is conceived as a companion piece to the anniversary GT3 rather than a standalone Porsche Design release. From its black titanium case and dashboard-inspired dial to its GT3 wheel rotor and Porsche interior leather strap, virtually every major detail has been developed around the identity of the car and the Nürburgring.
It is, in essence, a mechanical chronograph that translates the visual language of one of Porsche’s most important performance cars — and one of motorsport’s most legendary circuits — onto the wrist.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Porsche Design
Model: Chronograph 1 – 911 GT3 100 Jahre Nürburgring
Reference: 6041.7.01.019.12.02
Dial: Black
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Case Material: Titanium with black titanium carbide coating
Case Dimensions: 40.80 mm Diameter, 14.15 mm thick
Crystal: Sapphire glass
Case Back: Sapphire glass
Water Resistance: 100 Meters
Strap: Black perforated leather strap made of Porsche interior with green textile backing, GT Silver contrast stitching and black-coated titanium folding clasp, plus green textile hook-and-loop strap with white centre stripe and GT Silver stitching
Calibre: WREK 01.140
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, day, date
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)
Jewels: 25
Power Reserve: 48 Hours
Chronometer Certified: Yes, by COSC
Price: € 9,950
Availability: Exclusive to buyers of the Porsche 911 GT3 100 Jahre Nürburgring
Limited Edition: Yes, 100 pieces
