One of the most hotly debated topics among car enthusiasts, especially fans of the Porsche 911, is the concept of the 'perfect configuration'.
It's not just about having a great car, but also skillfully choosing options, selecting the right modification, performance level, and finish. In my opinion, the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring is the quintessence of this approach. It is a car for true connoisseurs: the GT3 is the purest and most extreme version of one of the best driver's cars on the market, and in the Touring version - with a restrained design without a massive rear spoiler and a focus on everyday comfort. The result is a model of automotive perfection.
If you've been reading Onewatch for a while, you're probably familiar with the Porsche Design watch lineup and the customization options comparable to a personalized Porsche configuration. You may also know that some Porsche Design watches are available only to owners of specific Porsche cars, with limited customization options. This is where the Porsche Design 911 GT3 & 911 GT3 Touring Chronograph comes in - an exclusive model for car owners, offering extensive customization options and likely the best embodiment of a Porsche Design chronograph to date.
The Car - Foundation of the Story
One of the most interesting advantages of reviewing Porsche Design watches is the opportunity to get a watch tailored to a specific car from the Porsche press fleet (at least in Australia). This allows for a unique experience of car and watch integration. In this review, we are discussing the Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 Touring, created for a specific Porsche 911 GT3 Touring generation 992.2, which I was fortunate to test both on the track at Sydney Motorsport Park and in urban conditions for a week - an experience that is rare in my career as an automotive journalist.
As for the car itself, it was truly special. The 'Slate Grey Neo' color and two-tone interior with tan hues created a restrained yet elegant look. The only hint of its power was the aggressive air intakes on the nose and the provocative exhaust sound. The 4.0-liter naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine with 375 kW power, combined with a six-speed manual transmission, accelerated the car to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. However, these numbers do not convey its essence. The Porsche 992.2 GT3 Touring is positioned as a more understated version of Porsche's top sports car, but in reality, it differs only by the absence of the 'standard' GT3's rear wing: it's a true racing car packed in an elegant leather interior.
Tom Fraser from Drive accurately described the car in his review: "It's a car that makes you drive it as if you stole it… (which) contradicts the restrained style of the GT3 Touring… (it's) for those who prefer to remain unnoticed but want the same insane road experience as driving a Carrera Cup car on the track."
To maintain the automotive theme, the car I tested had a signature Porsche Design clock module on the dashboard, whose design is mirrored on the dial of the Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 Touring. The watch strap is made of the same soft tan leather as the car seats, and the automatic rotor is styled after the car's grey wheels.
The Watch - Details and Features
Like the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring, which is a 'wolf in sheep's clothing', the watch requires close attention. Unlike most Porsche Design chronographs, this model features a flyback function, which is not immediately noticeable unless you look closely at the tiny 'Flyback' inscription on the chronograph hour counter. Another small detail is the running seconds indicator at the 9 o'clock mark: in the center of this display, the inscription 'Born in Flacht' is placed, referring to the 911 GT3's development location - Porsche Motorsport's racing division.
The running seconds indicator is the most original part of the watch: instead of a hand, a disc rotates, with a checkered flag on one half and the 911 GT3 emblem on the other. It's not so practical for tracking seconds as it serves as an indicator of the mechanism's operation.
However, the main feature is the flyback function. Here again, a parallel with the car is evident: if the 911 GT3 is a 911 with 'extra sauce', these watches are a Porsche Design chronograph with 'extra sauce'. Moreover, just as few things can compare to the feeling of shifting gears in a sports car with a manual transmission, activating the flyback chronograph provides a special tactile pleasure.
Final Conclusions
As I noted in my previous reviews of Porsche Design watches, they can be perceived either as an expensive accessory to an already expensive car or as a unique value addition. The idea of watches that literally perfectly match your car is attractive in itself. It is also worth considering that cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 are collectible objects, and for future collectors, having such watches will be especially desirable.
Nevertheless, my task is not to speculate about future value or justify Porsche's high price. Evaluating the watch by its quality, the Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 Touring is a thoughtful and attractive product. It is not just a branded watch, but a Swiss flyback chronograph with its own movement, made from premium materials (including genuine luxury car leather), and a successor to a historically significant design. Some might think of Top Gun. This model is the best version of a custom Porsche Design chronograph to date, largely due to the flyback function and its connection to the pinnacle of the 911 model range.
It would be easy for me to get carried away with ecstatic descriptions. The 911 GT3 Touring is a dream car. Probably my dream. And if I happened to have an extra 600,000 Australian dollars to put together the perfect configuration (for the record, the press car was close to it, but I would choose at least a body in Oak Green Metallic), I would definitely want to have these Porsche Design watches next to it - to wear them regardless of whether I'm behind the wheel or not.
Prices and Availability of Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 & 911 GT3 Touring
The Porsche Design 911 GT3 & 911 GT3 Touring Chronograph is available exclusively to owners of Porsche 911 GT3 or GT3 Touring - through official Porsche dealers or the Porsche online configurator. Prices start at 20,900 Australian dollars, with the tested version at 23,900 Australian dollars.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Porsche Design |
| Model | Chronograph 911 GT3 & 911 GT3 Touring |
| Case Size | 42 mm (diameter) x 15.33 mm (thickness) |
| Case Material | Titanium or titanium with black titanium-carbide coating |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters, screw-down crown |
| Glass | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | "GT" honeycomb pattern, customizable ring with markers |
| Strap | Porsche natural calfskin leather, case-colored clasp |
| Movement | Porsche Design WERK 01.200, based on ETA/Valjoux 7750, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, running seconds, date, flyback chronograph |
| Availability | Exclusively for Porsche 911 GT3 or GT3 Touring owners, custom order |
| Price | Depends on personalization |
| Base Price | 20,900 Australian dollars |
| Test Version Price | 23,900 Australian dollars |
This approach to the review not only reveals the technical and design features of the watch but also emphasizes its unique connection with the car, which is important for the target audience and contributes to high ranking of the article in search engines on the topics of Porsche, chronographs, and exclusive accessories.