Talking Watches With Ferdi Porsche

Among the many things that F.A. would design, one of his most influential pieces of work was a watch – the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 of 1972. It's a chronograph with real automotive influence, carrying a first-ever fully black case and bracelet. It established a design language that endures today through Porsche Design and many other brands that have co-opted elements of F.A's automotive-derived design.

It is then of little surprise that Ferdi Porsche, who works today as an architect and part of the leadership team behind the re-born GP Ice Race, has a thing for watches. So, when I was in Austria to shoot an incredible event with some seriously rare Porsches, we leaped at the chance to meet up with Ferdi at his home in Zell Am See to see his multi-generational collection of remarkable watches and even a few very cool cars.

Ferdi describes his well-loved GMT-Master II as both his first serious watch and one that he didn't feel entirely worthy of wearing when he first got it. Speaking personally, I think the 16710 is among the best and most wearable professional models ever made by Rolex and it's always a treat to see one that has seen actual use around the world. Ferdi's example wears the classic "Pepsi" bezel and shows signs of use that suggest he got over his early trepidation in having this GMT on his wrist.

This special recreation of the original Chronograph 1 was made to mark the 25th anniversary of the original design in 1997. Originally owned by Ferdi's father, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche (who is currently the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Porsche Automobil), he passed the watch on to Ferdi when he was old enough to wear it. With a lovely patina that suits the toolish vibe of the original design, this is one of Ferdi's most-worn watches. Given the family connection, we can't blame him one bit for giving this Chronograph 1 ample wrist time.

Porsche Design is the official timekeeper of the GP Ice Race, an annual event held in Zell am See that sees all elements of car culture come together on a frozen track for some good old-fashioned fun. From F1 cars to vintage Porsches, Cole attended last year and his story is absolutely worth a read. 

For the event, Porsche Design works with Ferdi, Tino, and the team at GP Ice Race to develop a limited edition for each year and this is a sneak peek at what they have planned for the upcoming 2023 event (which will be held this coming January 27-29th, 2023). Holding largely true to the original design, this flyback Chronograph 1 has an uncoated titanium case, black pushers, crisp orange chronograph accents, and a few special easter eggs for true GP Ice Race fans (which Ferdi talks about in the above film).

The Porsche Design Compass watch is a unique and special creation that was born in the '80s when Porsche Design's watch partner was none other than IWC. The 3551's small black case houses not only a mechanical movement displaying time, date, and a moonphase, but the entire watch element is mounted on a hinge that forms a lid over a functioning compass. It's weird, rare, and a totally fun experience. Ferdi picked this one up on eBay and has enjoyed it since.

This is a classic JLC Reverso in rose gold that was a gift from Ferdi's mother upon the completion of his first architecture project, which was an addition to a traditional restaurant near Kitzbuhel, Austria. His mother gave him the watch on the day that the project was unveiled in 2017 and the caseback even has an engraving of the restaurant's hanging sign.

This is easily among my favorite watches in Ferdi's collection as the Ploprof, not unlike the compass watch or some of the other watches featured in this story, offers a unique experience in watches. It's a huge, '70s-derived dive watch that makes no apologies for its size, its toolish intent, and its ruggedly over-engineered execution of a real dive watch.

On a mesh bracelet, all sleeves have been put on notice and, like much of Ferdi's collection, I love that the watch has been treated like a watch. Well-worn and ready for more, it's a characterful addition to Ferdi's collection that speaks to both the specificity and breadth of his taste in watches. 

While Royal Oaks have been an "it" watch for a while now, Ferdi went in a slightly different direction with this 36mm reference 6023BA gold example as it rocks a quartz movement beneath its crisp grey dial. If you want to do the Royal Oak thing with a twist, this smaller example has an appeal all its own.

If gold and quartz aren't enough personality for you, Ferdi's other Royal Oak is a decidedly weird and cool military dial example in steel with an easy-wearing 36mm wide case. It's a stand-out exception to the usual from Audemars Piguet and I really like how Ferdi contextualized the oddball Royal Oak branding on the dial. Watch the video for his take on this uncommon and charming Royal Oak. 

This Chopard Chronograph draws a connection to the brand's long-standing support of The Mille Miglia, a 1,000-mile vintage car rally that traces an annual route in Italy from Brescia to Rome and back. Ferdi and his father competed in the Mille Miglia in a vintage Porsche 356 in 2014.

For each event, Chopard produces a special edition watch that has both a public version and a version offered only to competitors in that year's race. This is a 2014 competitor edition that carries the number of the car they drove – #356, naturally, for a Porsche 356 – and not only is it a great reminder of a wonderful automotive and family experience, but it also looks great on a NATO.

This handsome and vintage-inspired Eterna Kontiki was worn by Ferdi's father for many years and it signals the connection that once existed between Porsche Design and Eterna.

This limited edition reference in rose gold is a tribute to the first Kontiki watch from 1958 and for the Kon Tiki raft sailed by Thor Heyerdahl as he crossed the pacific in 1947. Only 50 such examples were made for the 50th anniversary of the original Kontiki model so it's also among the rarest of Ferdi's watches. 

What is there to say? It's a Cartier Crash and it's a recent and very special addition to Ferdi's watches. After learning of the Crash via Hodinkee a few years ago, Ferdi visited the Cartier boutique in Vienna, Austria, and managed to get his name on the list. After a wait of several years, he recently took delivery of his very own Crash and it's always a treat to see one in the metal.

Similar in many ways to the 2023 edition, above, this is the 2022 Ice Racing edition of the Porsche Design Chronograph 1. Given that it launched on the 50th anniversary of the original Chronograph 1, this special edition for the event follows closely in the footsteps of the original model but also came with an extra long white velcro strap so you can wear it over the sleeve of a winter jacket while skiing behind a car on a frozen race track. As one does. 

Unimatic has a knack for making special limited editions of their existing models and this one is not only a special colorway with a few added details, but it also connects directly with a special and limited edition car – the Automobili Amos Lancia Delta Integrale Futurista. 

The Futurista is a special limited edition modernization of the Lancia Delta Integrale, an Italian car that would later find icon status on the world rally circuit. The Automobili Amos project saw 20 cars recreated with updated materials like carbon fiber, modern touches, and many special design elements. 

Similarly, the Unimatic UT4-AA2 watch was offered as a nod to the Futurista project and is limited to 150 pieces. From the green/yellow colorway to the tiny Delta at the end of the ticking seconds hand, it is a really fun limited edition connected to a wild and truly rare car.