Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 RS, Matching Porsche’s Latest Track-Focussed 911
A sports car on the wrist, exclusively for owners of the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS and 911 GT3 RS with Weissach package
With its capacity to fully customize watches down to the smallest details, in order to create a watch that will be the closest possible to a Porsche car owner, Porsche Design is now working closely with the car brand to create special editions inspired by some of the most impressive models. Following editions based on the 911 GT3, the 911 GT3 With Touring Package or the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, it’s now time for PD to release a watch that is matching Porsche’s latest track monster, the new and striking (to say the least) 911 GT3 RS. And once again, this Porsche Design Chronograph is all about recreating the same design on the wrist.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS (992-series)
If the 911 is often seen as the ultimate sports car for the road, the GT-series are some of the best track-focused vehicles around. But even inside this already high-tech and high-performance series, there’s a hierarchy. The classic 911 GT3 is a track weapon that can still be used on the road. The GT3 With Touring Package is its more discreet, less hardcore version, giving the same mechanical thrill but with a stronger focus on the road. And then, at the end of the food chain comes the GT3 RS… And its latest generation is as close as it’s ever been to being a race car with licence plates. Looking at it, I’m still wondering how this piece of artillery can even be road legal…
Mechanically-speaking, the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992-generation is not gaining much. It relies on the same 4-litre flat-6 engine as the classic GT3, only having an extra 14bhp thanks to improved camshafts and intakes. Sure, this engine is a masterpiece that revs up to 9,000rpm and there’s not much to extract anymore from it… It’s at the top of its game. What the GT3 RS does is all about pushing the limits of what it feels is possible for a road car, regarding connection to the road and aerodynamics. And yes, the thing is a beast that isn’t the most elegant, to be honest. It’s all about downforce and corner speeds, with a giant wing at the back equipped with DRS system. The sides are carved and opened, there are aero-intended protruding elements everywhere and no concession to comfort or practicality anymore (forget about the back seats and the front boot… they are gone).
Regarding straight-line performance, the new 992 GT3 RS is not doing much better and is even slower in terms of top speed. It’s not its goal anyway, the idea is just to go as fast as possible in corners and to reduce braking distances – and those who have ever used a car on a track know that it’s where you can shave most time on a lap. The GT3 RS won’t technically be a limited edition, but as always availability will mostly depend on how good your relationship is with your Porsche dealer. Price starts at around EUR 235,000, without options…
The Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 RS
As with previous editions built to match the 911 GT3 or 718 GT4 RS, the new Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 RS is all about mimicking the design elements of the car, and relies on the technical base of the classic Chronotimer Series 1 architecture, a watch that pays tribute to the earliest models created by Butzi Porsche in the early 1970s.
As such, we’re looking at a 42mm titanium watch with a chronograph movement and many elements that reminds of the brand’s connection with Porsche cars. But once again, the watch used to illustrate this article is just an example of what’s possible, as PD relies on a configurator to create watches that will reflect the look of the future owner’s car. Almost all elements can be personalized, starting with the case that can be chosen either in natural bead-blasted titanium or with a black titanium carbide coating. Then, the bezel, which can also be natural or black titanium, can be chosen with a classic tachymeter scale, a 60-minute timer scale or a pulsometer scale.
Matching the car’s focus on lightness and stiffness, the dial of the Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 RS is made of carbon fibre with a weave pattern. Here again, most elements can be customized with a choice of 3 handsets – Performace (white), Essence (black) or GT (yellow) – and an outer ring that is available in no fewer than 123 colours to match the exterior of the car. The dial is equipped with ceramic-based hour indexes with white Super-LumiNova for optimal legibility day and night. The seconds disc at 9 o’clock is adorned with “911 GT3 RS” lettering and a red/white race flag pattern. The final touch is the “BORN IN FLACHT” in the centre of the disc.
In the same vein, the strap carries the same design as the carbon seats of the new 911 GT RS, with a leather top surface, perforated to reveal an undercoat in Race-Tex, coloured either in grey or red. Equipped with quick-release system, the straps can be complemented by an option titanium bracelet on folding clasp.
Turning the Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 RS, you’ll see the Caliber WERK 01.200, a proprietary COSC-certified flyback chronograph movement with 4Hz frequency and 48h power reserve. It is equipped with a wheel-shaped rotor that, once again, mimics the look of the wheels found on the new 911 GT3 RS. Available in two different designs, it shows the same shape as the wheels of the regular GT3 RS, or the shape of the magnesium wheels included in the 911 GT3 RS with Weissach Package. And you’ll be able to choose from brilliant silver, neodymium, black satin finish, dark silver, indigo blue and pyro red.
The Porsche Design Chronograph 911 GT3 RS is available now from Porsche centres and online at www.porsche-design.com, exclusively for buyers of the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS and 911 GT3 RS with Weissach package. The price starts from EUR 9,750, and will depend on the chosen options.
