If you are at all familiar with Porsche Design and its watches, the brand's origin is likely known to you. Starting with the Porsche Design Orfina Chronograph I from 1972, inspired by a dashboard with a black finish and a highly legible white-on-black dial, the current portfolio remains a testament to the principle that form follows function. With a thoughtful, ergonomic design and an emphasis on legibility and practicality, the Porsche Design 1919 Sport Chrono Sub Seconds has now been reduced in size to a desirable 39mm diameter.
As is often the case with most watches, people want larger or smaller watches depending on the size of the timepieces before them, and of course, according to their wrist anatomy. This means that every time a brand introduces a new size into an existing collection, it simply opens up the range to new potential customers. And this is undoubtedly a good thing.
The new Porsche Design 1919 Sport Chrono Sub Seconds 39mm follows the same design principles that have shaped Porsche Design, and naturally, its elder sibling. Thanks to the reduced size, the case has shrunk from 42mm to 39mm in diameter, while maintaining a height of 12.25mm. It is still crafted from titanium with sandblasted and polished finishes, and the steel lugs with recesses extend from the middle of the case. The sapphire crystal with 7 layers of anti-reflective coating on top and the solid case back also match the 42mm version.
All Porsche Design watches have maximally legible dials, whether they feature a 'time and date' function or additional complications. From day one, the brand has paid particular attention to this and continues to do so today. The round matte dial in black, blue, or brown features white Super LumiNova markings and central hour and minute hands with a significant amount of luminous material. Naturally, a smaller case means a smaller dial, so the date window is closer to the minute track, and the small seconds indicator is also slightly smaller.
Inside the Porsche Design 1919 Sport Chrono Sub Seconds 39mm, we find the same WERK 03.200 caliber. This automatic movement is COSC chronometer-certified and, although not visible, features the Porsche Design Icon Rotor. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, it provides 38 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
Like its larger sibling, each color variant comes with a tone-on-tone leather strap made from genuine Porsche upholstery leather, secured by a sandblasted titanium folding clasp. The fixed curvature of the case, smoothly transitioning into the strap, means there used to be a chance the watch simply wouldn't fit smaller wrists. The reduced size aims to address this issue, which we warmly welcome. The Porsche Design 1919 Sport Chrono Sub Seconds 39mm is priced at 4,450 euros.
For more information, please visit Porsche-Design.com
SPECIFICATIONS – PORSCHE DESIGN 1919 SPORT CHRONO SUB SECONDS 39MM
Case: Diameter 39mm x Height 12.25mm – Grade 5 titanium case with sandblasted and polished finishes – Sapphire crystal with 7 layers of AR coating – Screw-down crown – Hollow lugs extending from the case – Water resistance 100 meters
Dial: Black, blue, or brown dial – Circular matte finish with white Super LumiNova-filled markings – Hour and minute hands filled with Super LumiNova – Small seconds hand with white luminous tip – Date window at 3 o'clock
Movement: Porsche Design caliber Werk 03.200 – Automatic winding – COSC-certified chronometer – 25.60mm x 5.60mm – 31 jewels – 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) – 38-hour power reserve – Hours, minutes, small seconds, date
Strap: Black, blue, or brown – Genuine Porsche upholstery leather – Matching stitching – Sandblasted titanium folding clasp
Reference: Black – 4056487017266
Blue – 4056487017273
Brown – 4056487017280
Price: 4,450 EUR