It's Gotta Be The Shoes! The Feel-Good, Triumphant Return of ilmia!

     Christian Gafner, Co-founder / CEO (is the handsome one on the left)

I am a sneaker-head.  There, I've said it.  It would be easy to assume that this the result of my time at the University of Oregon where Nike was in many ways born and raised.  But in fact it goes deeper.  Picture a small college town in northern Ohio back 1976.  Students coming to town from all over the country, and in fact the world.  And with the students came some worldly classmates at Prospect elementary school, who actually VISITED England, France... even Germany!  The rest of us wore Keds, or if we were really cool (which I was definitively, NOT) you might have Converse.  These kids came back wearing Adidas and Puma sneakers.  And not shoes made of canvas, but actual leather!  

As reported in an earlier Tempus Fugit missive, I begged Santa Clause (i.e. Mom and Dad) for a pair of leather Adidas.  There were a few small obstacles standing between me and Christmas happiness:
  
1.  While some kids in Oberlin had Adidas shoes on their feet, no retail stores within hailing distance sold them.

2.  The stores that sold them were so far away that you had heard of these cities on the local news, but they might as well have been in East Germany.  The roads that connected my small hometown and the metro Cleveland area were not, shall we say, advanced or well coordinated.

3.  I had what were considered at that time, seriously undersized feet for my age.  Meaning that while Adidas and Puma might make shoes in my size, those were not the sizes that specialty sports stores in Northern Ohio (or really anywhere else in the US) would likely be ordering for their stores.

Spoiler alert - somehow (hand to God, to this day I don't know exactly how), Mom came through and under the tree were a pair of size 1 Adidas Cadets. 

Shamelessly borrowed from the worldwide info web

I wore those shoes until they literally fell off of my then 9 year old feet.  And I have been devoted to sneakers ever since, but in all honesty, I had not had that same visceral, Christmas morning thrill until many, many years later when I first met Christian Gafner and bought a couple of pairs of ilmias back in 2013.  

Curious to relate, just like that 8 year old kid in Ohio, there was a whole country of kids (East Germany) young and old who loved and wanted sneakers.  And ilmia was the brand.  The Berlin Wall came down, Germany was re-unified, and ilmia tucked in for a long nap that would have been the envy of sleeping beauty, until they were awoken by a few princes, and a princess.

Which brings us nearly up-to date.  I started coming to BaselWorld as a journalist in 2011.
At the time, ilmias were a well-kept secret, and had I not seen them featured at the ochs und junior shop in Lucerne I would not have known about them.  And that is when I first met Christian and put my money on the table and put a pair of ilmias on my feet.

For those of you not aware, Christian is the designer behind the first MIH watch -

Courtesy of Embassy & MIH

He also has done design work for Eterna and Porsche Design among others.  But these days he is firmly behind the re-boot of ilmia.

So one week ago, I found myself fresh off the train from Zurich to meet him and see the new batch. And so to one of my "other offices", Caffè Spettacolo just opposite the Biel/Bienne train station, where I got to see what is up next for ilmia.  And a friendly travel tip from your old pal Henki - next time you're in-between connections at the Biel/Bienne station, or you need an easy to find rally point?  I highly recommend the Caffè Spettacolo.

And I got the hook-up, and put my marker down for a pair of "samples". 

And as any good sneaker-head would, I got my pair signed -

1 / INFINITY.  I like that ; )

And while I got a chance to look at the new, I also got a brief re-wind through the old -

Have no doubt, ilmia made some serious athletic shoes back in the day.

And if you were a kid on what we used to think of as the "wrong side" of the Berlin Wall, and you couldn't get your hands on the Adidas Rom or the Puma Roma?  ilmia had you covered -

Now I can't speak to how the "old school" ilmia kicks fit and feel, but my pair fits well, super soft and comfy.  And to quote the youngsters hanging out at Bodega in Boston, they are:

"So drip!"

Per the Urban Dictionary:
Drip

adjective to describe your outfit similar to swag, sauce, steez, swank

dripmane - "mane my outfit is dripping right now"

by splashtonkutcher October 08, 2018

Biel/Bienne was my first stop on an horological wander that took me Switzerland and France.  The story starts with -

A Love Letter to Besançon - part 1

Stay tuned!

Porsche Design is Back!

We'll be going deeper in the coming weeks, but here is a preview of coming attractions ; )

Courtesy of Porsche Design

The Sh*t that Killed Elvis - Continued... Porsche Design

I get a LOT of press releases.  A LOT OF PRESS RELEASES.  Every now and then - and if I'm being BRUTALLY honest - it is starting to feel more like once in a blue moon, but every now and then there is something truly special.  But today, as I was tidying up my office getting ready to head home, word of the newly revived Porsche Design pinged on my iPhone, and frankly - I was late getting going because I was deeply, deeply engrossed in this press release.

Courtesy of Porsche Design

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls - allow me to introduce the Porsche Design Timepiece No. 1 and Chronograph Titanium Limited Edition.

Porsche Design Redux

Okay, the press release I received was really more about Porsche Design "repositioning" itself -

Porsche Design repositions its business with luxury watches

See?

And that is certainly interesting news, but when I dig deeper into the release, I get news that I am not only interested in, I am very happy to read!  Remember Patrick Kury, formerly of Eterna?  

Well, I am very happy to say that he is now the CEO of the newly formed Porsche Design Timepieces AG, a subsidiary of Porsche Design.

Word is that the first collection will be available for sale in the fourth quarter of this year.  And my understanding is that at least initially they will only be for sale through Porsche Design.  And as I said, I am HAPPY!  I am happy to see someone as talented as Patrick Kury with his hand on the wheel!  

So enough with my happiness, here's the press release:

Porsche Design repositions its business with luxury watches

Courtesy of Porsche Design Timepieces

Stuttgart. The Porsche Design Group (Porsche Lizenz- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG) has founded a subsidiary in Switzerland to continue its tradition of offering high-quality timepieces. Porsche Design Timepieces AG, based in the Jurasuedfuß region of Switzerland, will be responsible for developing and producing exclusive Porsche Design timepieces; marketing and sales will be overseen by the Porsche Design Group, which is based in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The first watch series offered solely by Porsche Design will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2014. The CEO of the Swiss company is Patrick Kury (41).

“By taking this step, we are continuing the successful history of Porsche Design timepieces, which began in 1972 with the iconic Chronograph I”, says Juergen Gessler, CEO of the Porsche Design Group. “We are especially happy to have acquired Patrick Kury, a watch expert who – as well as demonstrating a profound understanding of our brand – is extremely skilled and accomplished when it comes to developing watch mechanisms. Kury has already proved this by developing the Porsche Design Indicator, the most complex watch mechanism in the world.”

“Porsche Design timepieces have always led the way for the entire watch industry in terms of design and concept”, says Patrick Kury, CEO of Porsche Design Timepieces AG. “As part of the new strategic realignment, we are consciously going back to the roots of Porsche Design timepieces. These revolutionized the industry in the 1970s and 1980s in terms of design and the materials used, as they included the world's first black watch as well as the world's first titanium watch. In the 2000s, Porsche Design timepieces boasted impressive technical highlights such as the mechanical-digital stopwatch display of the Indicator.”

As has been the case for more than 40 years, Porsche Design timepieces are positioned in an exclusive niche in the luxury watch category. The products are available around the world in the luxury brand's stores and from selected leading retailers. Currently, the company is preparing to launch the first watch series offered solely by Porsche Design. This series is reminiscent of the distinctive characteristics of the two most successful models produced by the luxury brand, the Chronograph I and the Titanium Chronograph, which were matt black and made from titanium respectively: The first model in the series – the Porsche Design Timepiece No. 1 – heralds the era of Timepieces made by Porsche Design.

The self-winding chronograph features a case made from titanium, which has a diameter of 42 millimeters. The matt black case of the No. 1 was not painted – instead, it was coated by means of a special process. With regard to technical features, the model is equipped with a mechanical Valjoux 7750 chronograph mechanism that has a power reserve of 48 hours. The blackened sapphire crystal case back that shows the inner workings of the exclusive, energy-optimised Porsche Design rotor is a real eye-catcher. The Porsche Design Timepiece No. 1 with black rubber strap is waterproof up to a depth of 50 metres (5 ATM) and is limited to a production run of only 500 units.

Characteristics that Porsche Design has been presenting as watchmaking milestones for more than 40 years. The legendary Chronograph I was the world's first black watch as well as the first product produced by the luxury brand. In 1972, the timepiece caused a furore, as the self-winding chronograph – a concept that had previously been 

inconceivable – was entirely black and provocatively plain. By releasing this timepiece, Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche was anticipating a trend that, while revolutionary at the time, defines the watch industry today. In 1980, Porsche Design revolutionised the watchmaking world with the first timepiece made from titanium ever to be seen. 20 years later, this was followed by the first watch to feature an aluminium case. The launch of the Indicator in 2004 saw the brand reach a new milestone: For the first time, this model combined chronograph functionality with a purely mechanical, jumping digital display. This was made possible thanks to the world's most complex watch mechanism produced in a limited run: Four spring barrels are required to power all functions reliably and the mechanism comprises a total of more than 800 individual parts.

Porsche Design and Eterna Part Ways

Strategic realignment of Porsche Design Timepieces

Stuttgart/Grenchen. The Porsche Design Group (Porsche Lizenz- und Handelsge- sellschaft mbH & Co. KG) and Eterna AG Uhrenfabrik, based in Grenchen, Switzerland, are ending their license agreement for the development, production and sale of high-quality watches. To continue offering Porsche Design Timepieces–a tradition that has spanned over 40 years–the luxury brand is expected to reposition it- self in the luxury watch category by the middle of this year.

“We truly valued our partnership with watch manufacturer Eterna. The combination of traditional craftsmanship with our design expertise worked perfectly with great success”, says Juergen Gessler, CEO of the Porsche Design Group. “We plan to continue this tradition as part of our realignment strategy, as well as presenting new, exclusive watches to our customers.”

Samir Merdanovic, Vice President of Eterna AG Uhrenfabrik says: “Following our successful partnership with Porsche Design, we will continue to devote our atten- tion to developing and manufacturing high-quality, innovative timepieces under the Eterna brand. In the future, we will also focus in particular on doing justice to our reputation as a brand that combines innovation and heritage – we plan to continue the further development of the revolutionary Eterna movement with the Spherodrive System, for instance.”

All services associated with the relevant Porsche Design watches will still be guar- anteed by Eterna. In addition, the two companies are set to collaborate in various technical fields. 

BaselWorld Heroes 2013 - Part One

Public Relations/Communications is a challenging job.  Many people think that they do it well, very few actually do.  So once a day for the remainder of BaselWorld I will be identifying those who I think go above and beyond.

And at the very "Very Tippy Top" of the list is Eterna's Manon Vauthier!  I work with and deal with PR and Communication people and I say without fear of being wrong - she is the prototype of what a watch brand's PR person should be.  Friendy, professional and always representing Eterna and Porsche Design in the best possible light!

It's Gotta be the Shoes... and the Watch Designer!

I was the ORIGINAL sneaker nut!  When I was a (younger) Northern Youth, my friends and I became obsessed by Puma, Converse and most clearly - Adidas!  And to all of you "millennials" out there, this was 1976/1977 Northern Ohio - Nike was not what it is today!





So I became obsessed with getting a REAL pair of GENUINE, MADE IN EUROPE Adidas shoes.  There were two small drawbacks:

1.  I had a kid's size 3.5 - which meant Buster Browns or Keds, but no Adidas available in our exotic location for such small feet.

2.  Being all of 8 years old, pocket money would not nearly cover such a lavish expense as $30 - $40!

So enter my mother - who secretly scoured most of Northern Ohio to find a pair of Adidas Cadet shoes in my size, and they were under the Christmas tree!  MAN - I LOVED THEM!  They were white leather, with red and white stripes.  Made in France - which to my way of thinking might as well have been the moon!  I wore them EVERYWHERE!  In the snow, in the rain, in the mud - always taking great care to clean them up afterwards.

Years later when I worked at Tourneau, customers would often state that the high end watch they were going to buy was an investment.  I would say - yes and no.  It is an emotional investment for sure, and if you keep it on that level you will never be disappointed.  That very small pair of Adidas Cadets was for my mother an emotional investment in me.

And now, I am older.  I see things a bit more cynically.  But last year while visiting the oxen space in Lucerne, I felt the first stirrings of youthful enthusiasm for sneakers again -

Courtesy of Ilmia

This the ilmia in white.  A lot like the Model T, you can have it in any color you like, as long as it's white, black or brown ; )  And I like that!

Courtesy of ilmia 

I know what you're thinking - so "OLD FASHIONED"...
YES - thank goodness!  There is something in all of us that wants the original - not an "homage", but the real deal, or as close as you can come.  So it took a man with a bit of vision to bring back this classic.

Courtesy of ilmia  

WAIT - what has this got to do with watches??!?

I'm glad you asked!

Courtesy of ilmia  

This is Christian - watch designer formerly of Porsche Design.  And here is the rest of the story courtesy of ilmia -

2004, Swiss industrial designer Christian Gafner discovered the limited-edition ilmia shoes on the Internet. It was love at first sight. Contact with the project’s Berlin initiators was quickly established and the whole story surrounding the sports shoe multinational and its injunction came out. Gafner’s practiced eye immediately spotted the shoes’ potential. Unpacking the pair he had ordered over the Internet, he breathed in a set of familiar scents: the hint of adhesive and the fragrance of leather that took him back to his childhood and the hours spent in his grandfather’s shoemaking workshop.

2006 found Christian Gafner working for Porsche Design, designing wristwatches for the prestigious brand. Deciding to take on the challenge of ilmia, he paid several visits to Berlin and spent the following two years preparing for the brand’s definitive relaunch. As a result, the shoes continue to be handcrafted in Weissenfels (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany). Through skilful application of the rules of shoemaking, every upper is hand fashioned from high-grade full-grain leather and fitted with an outsole.

The design reinforces the brand’s authenticity, steering clear of short-term fashion trends. ilmia has no graphical logo as such, preferring instead to embroider its distinctive logotype on the outer flank of the left shoe in acknowledgment of the orphaned left shoe found in the Berlin flea market – the event that triggered the brand’s rebirth.

So lace up a pair of ilmias and embrace your inner sneaker freak!

www.ilmia.com

P'6300 Flat Six from Porsche Design

This just in from Porsche Design - the P'6300 Flat Six has 3 new offerings

Courtesy of Porsche Design

There is of course a chronograph -  the P'6360 (pictured above) is powered by ETA's 7750.  44 mm in diameter.  Available in either shot blasted and polished stainless steel, or shot blasted and polished PVD coated stainless steel.

Courtesy of Porsche Design

 A new offering in white for the P'6351 is a bit of a departure for the Flat Six in the time/date version. powered by the Sellita SW200.  It is 40 mm in diameter.

Courtesy of Porsche Design

But not to worry, there are still traditional design influences as well!  This is the P'6350 and is a more robust 44 mm in diameter.  Also powered by the Sellita SW200, this is the essence of Porsche Design's Flat Six.  

www.porsche-design.com

Porsche Design P’6540 Heritage Chronograph

This is a new limited edition from Porsche Design - the P'6540.  This limited edition watch also includes a pair of the P'8478 sunglasses.  

Courtesy of Porsche Design

The perfect way to commemorate and celebrate a 40th anniversary of Porsche Design.

The anniversary set is limited to 911 pieces world-wide. 

Courtesy of Porsche Design

Movement/Functions: Calibre ETA Valjoux 7750; automatic chronograph; hour, minute and second hands; date; 48-hour power reserve; 28,800 A/h; 25 jewels; 30-mm diameter (13 ••• lines); Porsche Design rotor. 

Dial/Hands: black, weekday and date indication at 3 o’clock; 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock; 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock; subsidiary seconds at 9 o’clock; black chronograph counter; white chronograph hand; white baton indices painted with white luminescent material; white sweep hour and minute hands; red sweep second hand; white tachymeter scale on the dial. 

Case/Back: shot-blasted titanium case; titanium push pieces and crown; anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal; screwed case back; water-resistant to 100 metres (10 ATM); diameter 40.5 mm. 

Strap / Clasp: shot-blasted titanium; folding clasp. 

Limited edition: Limited to 911 numbered pieces 

www.porsche-design.com

Patrick Kury - Nice Guys Finish First!

Every Sunday night, I go to sleep with more than a bit of curiosity and anticipation as to what news the following week will bring.  Leave it to the folks at Eterna/Porsche Design to trump everyone!

Courtesy of Eterna

As a lowly blogger, it is very seldom that when you make the rounds at BaselWorld that the (at the time) Head of Engineering will take the time to meet with you.  But for 30 minutes that is exactly what Patrick Kury did.  Yes, he is a fantastic watch designer - the Spherodrive speaks for itself!  But beyond this, he is a thoughtful communicator who really takes the time to explain the complexities of his creations in such a way that they are truly understandable.  And he is a nice guy to boot!  So this is the news that I got this morning -

Grenchen - Eterna is pleased to announce the appointment effective today of Patrick Kury, 40, as CEO pro tem of Eterna and Porsche Design Timepieces.

Swiss-born, Patrick Kury has accumulated considerable watch-industry experience, not least as Eterna’s Chief Technology Officer since 2005.  He has also served as Deputy Executive Director since 2008.  His contributions include the Eterna Spherodrive technology, the ball-bearing mounted mainspring barrel patented in 2006.

“I’m delighted with the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of Eterna and Porsche Design Timepieces and energize the company’s vigorous development.”

A special thanks to Manon Vauthier - Public Relations Manager extraordinaire - for getting me the news so quickly!  And I for one am really looking forward to some exciting things from Eterna and Porsche Design!  Congratulations Mr. Kury!

Porsche Design's P’6520 Compass Watch

I'll be the first to admit it, I LOVE a good reissue!  As a watch fan, how often have you missed the boat on a classic design?  You start to obsess about it - it occupies your waking hours and it ruins your sleep as you toss and turn.  Well it seems that Porsche Design has decided to take pity on those of you who've been chasing this particular horological talisman -

Courtesy of Porsche Design

And in their own words -

P’6520 Compass Watch: always on course

Stuttgart/Grenchen. The new Porsche Design P’6520 Compass Watch indicates time and direction mechanically. Underneath this high-precision three-hand watch is a compass whose needle always points north, thereby establishing all the directions. Inspiration has been the first Compass Watch, created in 1978 by the designer Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. The re-issue of this classic watch was merely adapted to 21^st-century standards. The diameter was slightly increased. Plus, the new P’6520 Compass Watch is made of light, antiallergenic titanium. Together with the P’6530Titanium Chronograph presented last year, it is the second re-issue of a traditional watch by Porsche Design. The series is limited to 911 pieces.

The P’6520 Compass Watch comes in two parts: the upper part is a precision three-hand watch, whose luminescent hands are driven by the automatic SW300 Sellita calibre. The date appears at 3 o’clock on the dial. The lower part of the watch opens to reveal a liquid compass that can be easily removed. The watch is available with a compass for both the northern as well as the southern hemisphere. In order to find one’s bearings with this instrument, a scratch-resistant mirror has been installed on the rear of the watch part and on top of the compass. When opened, the two mirrors click into place at 45 degree.

The shape is based on the historical model, but has been made somewhat larger – suiting today’s standards. The dial’s highly readable black-and-white design corresponds to the 1978 watch. The hour indices and the hour and minute hands have been covered with a white luminescent material.It has all been done in the traditionally economical Porsche Design colour scheme. The re-issue has a diameter of 42 millimetres and a height of 14.6 millimetres, that is, three millimetres larger and 1.6 millimetres higher respectively than the original. 

For the new watch, Porsche Design replaced the black aluminium with titanium, which is of higher quality and is also non-allergenic. The case is water resistant to a depth of up to 50 metres. The watch and the bracelet are made entirely of titanium with a black PVD coating (Physical Vapour Deposition). Titanium is essentially skin-friendly, lighter – half the weight of steel – and corrosion-resistant. In fact, titanium is the ideal material to use for a compass since it is not magnetic and will not affect the magnetic needle. In 1972, Porsche Design became the first company in the watch industry to use the colour black and presented the world’s first black watch: the legendary Chronograph 1.

www.porsche-design.com

Heroes and ... part deux

PR is a difficult function, particularly within a watch company.  Before I started doing PR for DOXA, I thought it would be sunshine and public events.  Meeting famous people, handing out watches, smiling for the camera, champagne and parties!

In reality, PR is often doing a thousand things at once for just as many people.  Please and thank you are sometimes words you can go a long time without hearing.  Long days spent in trade shows, unfamiliar hotels, and dubious food. So it can be challenging at the best of times.

Since I started the blog nearly a year ago, one of the first companies to respond back to me was Eterna/Porsche Design, and Manon Abplanalp, their Public Relations Manager was always there right from the begining.  Press releases, product information, and it is important to mention - the first watch to be in the 15 day review!  Manon is a PR Super-Hero!


MCT watches is a unique company - producing only a few pieces a year, they have to try a bit harder to get their message out there.  And at the forefront spreading the good word is Sophie Bonnet.  You would search high and low and not find a better ambassador.  Sophie is a star!  We met briefly at the Ramada in Basel and I now understand what it must be like to have coffee with a famous person with all of the people she knew stopping by to say hello and bend her ear.  Clearly a very good person to know.


And what about distributors?  I will say that my whole perception of distributors changed when I spent some time with Dan Lewis.  Dan and his company are responsible for several key brands in the US and Canada including Azimuth, Paul Picot and others.  I went expecting to see some watches and have a brief chat, but Dan took the time to introduce me to everyone he could.  And instead of me explaining the blog to the watch companies, it was Dan!  I suspect that Dan might have been a motivational speaker at one time because he had everyone's attention, including mine.


I think what is unique with these folks is that they are genuinely interested in what they are doing, and this clearly shows through.  As I said before, this blog could not really be what it is without people like this sharing of their time - thank you!

Porsche Design - Evolution, not revolution

Courtesy of Porsche Design

I know, I know - this is not "new", red hot, latest up-to-the-minute stuff...

But it is still pretty cool!

While spending time with folks at Porsche Design in BaselWorld,
I actually got to check one of these guys out up close and in person.

Courtesy of Porsche Design

I can safely say after checking it out in person - it is all that.  Fantastic watch from concept, to design to execution - FLAWLESS!  I had to remind myself that BaselWorld was not like a hotel - they do not expect you to "take" souvenirs home...

www.porsche-design.com/timepieces

Part Two

And now for the final installment of the 15 Day Porsche Chronograph review.

The reliability of the watch in terms of time loss/gain has been first rate!  Throughout the "cookie test" and three different overnight trials with the chronograph running for more than 8 hours without interruption, there were no significant deviations.

Moreover, through daily wear over a 15 day period, there was only a slight time loss in the first 24 hour period, but in fairness I suspect that this was mostly down to a very brief settling in period.  The following 14 days were precision itself.

Finally, the look and feel of the watch.  I have gone on at length already about overall "wearability" of this chronograph.  Admittedly, it is not small!  Having said that, the use of titanium and rubber go a great way to make this a more "flexible" feeling watch.  The weight savings achieved by using titanium are not insignificant.  But think about this next thing - the use of the rubber strap is the best possible choice to ensure that the watch itself will much better adapt to a variety of wrist sizes.  The rubber tends to mold/adapt more to the wrist than leather, and certainly more so than a metal bracelet.  The use of a butterfly clasp was also really inspired as it maintains the sleek look of this sports car for the wrist.

And what about the balance between the titanium and the PVD finish?  I have to be completely honest and say here and now that I prefer it to either all PVD or all titanium. The contrast is notable, but not in
a garish or contrived way. It is at once sporty and modern - a fantastic effect.

So how do I conclude this?  It is a challenging proposition to do a 15 day review while intentionally NOT getting too technical.  In terms of performance, look and feel - Porsche has a hit on their hands.  The attention to detail enhance the theme of the watch itself - from the steering wheel rotor to the "gas pedal" chronograph pushers to the tire tread pattern on the underside of the strap, they have not missed a trick.

If I can find one potential negative, it is a as a US customer.  Porsche watches are not widely available and therefore as much as I (or my fellow Americans) might want one, it will take some travel to obtain one.  But really that is the only negative thing I have to report - other than my sadness in sending it back to its home in Switzerland.

So As I bid a fond farewell, I encourage you to check this time keeper out in person.  For those of you not near to a Porsche retail outlet, please visit them online at:

www.porsche-design.com

Final Porsche P'6930 Chronograph - Part 1 of 2

So after 15 days, it is time to send the Porsche P'6930 Chronograph back to Switzerland. And therefore today is the day to sum up.

To begin with, I have to point out the legibility of the dial. A lot of chronographs are quite busy in the way they are laid out, but not the P'6930! This is due to a lot of factors -

Power Steering

After many requests - here is a view of the back of the Porsche, featuring the movement, and the rotor that powers it.

This is a real-life picture taken on the patio - obviously not by a professional!  I love the detail of the rotor!

I only have a few days left with this wonderful chronograph, and will be posting a complete review next Tuesday - stay tuned!

Pedal-Pusher

The folks at Porsche Design took great pains in the design of the P'6930 Chronograph.  One area in particular is in the chronograph stop/start/re-set buttons - or Pushers.  These were, in fact, designed to be reminiscent of the gas/clutch/brake pedals in a high end sports car.  Not having driven (or even sat in) one of these glorious autos, I cannot 100% confirm this.  However, I can tell you about the look, feel and performance.

The push pieces are grooved - but the grooves are not sharp or rough.  They are smooth and tactile.  The appearance of them is in keeping with the overall balance of the watch.  not too big, not too small.  In terms of the functionality, I was a little dubious at first glance, but when I had the watch on and started using it, I have to say I found them to perform better, and more comfortably than my Omega Speedmaster Professional - sorry Omega ; )

A side note - check out the inside texture of the strap.  Not unlike the tread of a car's tire.  But more than just looking cool, it adds a valuable function enabling the strap to have some actual breathing room.

Porsche Design - P’6930 Chronograph - three adjectives

Three adjectives to describe the P'6930 Chronograph:

1.  Accurate!  - yes with an exclamation point!  This is perhaps the most accurate chronograph I have ever worn.  I have timed everything you can imagine - driving trips, games, etc.  It is BANG ON accurate!

2.  Comfort - I am now a Titanium convert.  I was not necessarily "anti-Titanium", but I would have to say I was somewhat indifferent.  That has now changed.  Titanium allows this watch to be big, legible and solid without the weight.  And the two-tone effect of the Titanium used with the PVD really brings this watch to life.  In addition the rubber strap and the butterfly clasp really add to the wearability.

3.  Legibility.  The use of the semi-skeleton minute and hour hands ensure maximum legibility.  This is amplified by the "depth" of the dial owing to the applied numbers and indices, and the fantastic sub-dials.

To be continued...

Nearly one full week with the Porsche!

It has now been nearly one full week with the Porsche Chronograph, and I have to say that so far, so very good!

We have been having a rather unseasonable heat wave here in Santa Barbara - I know, you live in paradise and you still aren't happy?!

But this heat has one very negative impact on the watch wearer - the wrist will swell a bit.  Thank you Porsche for the design and execution of your strap!  It remains comfortable, and more importantly owing to the underside of the strap, it stays securely in place.

There is a more detailed report this evening, but I have to say that based upon one week's wear, this is going to be a sad farewell this time next week!

Day 3 Porsche Design - P’6930 Chronograph

Just a short update -

The watch has run flawlessly - full marks to the folks at Porsche Design.  The strap continues to become more and more comfortable - a sure sign of good design.

A quick photo - I could get used to this!

Photo courtesy of  Jacqueline Pilar