In the world of horology, the conception, development, and production of a genuine in-house movement, especially that of a chronograph, is quite a feather in a brand’s cap.

Only very few manufacturers today are capable of doing this since the demanding task requires several years and significant investment. Porsche Design’s timepiece division has mastered this challenge, and the brand’s first chronograph movement was introduced in June 2017 (see Porsche Design Introduces First In-House Chronograph Movement, But This Timepiece Is Exclusively Available For Owners Of Porsche’s New 911 Turbo S Sports Car).

The chronograph movement has been christened Werk 01.200, and it features a complex flyback mechanism as well as official C.O.S.C. chronometer certification for accuracy.

This movement now powers a second limited edition watch that will be exclusively available to owners of a Porsche 911 GT2 RS (see The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Is So Powerful It’s Surprising It’s Road Legal).

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS with a Porsche Flyback Chronograph exclusively for owners of the car

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

I asked Rolf Bergmann, chief technology officer at Porsche Design Timepieces, to tell us about Werk 01.200’s special features.

Q&P: Porsche Design has introduced its first in-house caliber, Werk 01.200, which was developed by Porsche Design Timepieces. What are its special characteristics?

RB: Porsche Design places particular focus on the topics of motorsport and time measurement on the racetrack. In accordance with these requirements we truly wanted not only to be able to offer a chronograph, but also a flyback function for the Porsche Design Chronotimer models since that allows the measurement of successive lap times. This function was not adequately available among the Swiss movement manufacturers. Therefore, we had to help ourselves.

Porsche Design Porsche 911 GT2 RS flyback chronograph with black strap

Q&P: The movement construction shows similarities to the ETA Valjoux 7750, which, up to now, has been used in Porsche Design’s chronographs. Was Werk 01.200 designed that way so it can fit into existing cases?

RB: Today, we have three watch lines on the market: the Chronotimer Collection, the 1919 Collection, and the Monobloc Actuator; chronographs based on the Valjoux 7750 or SW500 calibers have proven successful in each of these lines.

Additionally, our chronograph dials are equipped with subdials at 6 and 12 o’clock as well as with running seconds at 9 o’clock. Therefore, diverse parameters, like the diameter and the design of the movement’s hand arbor, were predetermined in order to be able to build this new movement into existing cases. It was our goal to provide our customers with accessibility to this new functionality.

A view of the back of the Porsche Design Porsche 911 GT2 RS flyback chronograph, which looks like a wheel of the supercar: the hub and spokes of the “wheel” are actually the automatic winding rotor

A view of the back of the Porsche Design Porsche 911 GT2 RS flyback chronograph movement, Werk 01.200

Q&P: Are there any additional complications or variations planned for the future?

RB: Without giving away too much, we will continue to expand our watch collection and also include various considerations to extend the movement family. However, we consistently question our projects. It is important for us that a Porsche Design timepiece and its functions are practical for our customers and not only demonstrate technical possibilities.

Porsche Design Porsche 911 GT2 RS flyback chronograph

Q&P: Have you once again teamed up with the Development Center Weissach, as you did for the Monobloc Actuator presented at Baselworld 2017?

RB: In many detail areas, we are steadily in contact with our colleagues in Weissach and put to use their diverse possibilities. Just think of the rotors designed like wheel rims (pictured above). That would not have been possible without the original CAX data.

Porsche Design Porsche 911 GT2 RS flyback chronograph

Q&P: So far, the movement is offered in two limited edition flyback chronographs, exclusively as part of the concept “Vehicle and Timepiece” with the likewise limited series of the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series and Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Will future watch lovers be able to buy a manufacture chronograph from Porsche Design without the matching car by Porsche?

RB: This “top down” approach with limited edition watch models is crucial to be able to offer a genuine manufacture movement at all. Needless to say, we have a strategy how and in which scope we will offer this movement in other models. They do not necessarily need to be timepieces alongside sports cars.

Porsche Design Porsche 911 GT2 RS flyback chronograph

For more information, please visit www.porsche-design.us  and/or www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-gt2-rs.

You may also enjoy The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Is So Powerful It’s Surprising It’s Road Legal and Porsche Design Introduces First In-House Chronograph Movement, But This Timepiece Is Exclusively Available For Owners Of Porsche’s New 911 Turbo S Sports Car.

Quick Facts Porsche Design Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Case: 42 x 14.62 mm, titanium with black titanium carbide coating
Movement: automatic Porsche Design Caliber Werk 01.200 with official C.O.S.C. chronometer certification, 4 Hz/28,800 vph frequency
Functions: hours, minutes, hacking seconds; flyback chronograph
Limitation: 500 pieces; only owners of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS may purchase it
Price: €9,450

Quick Facts Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Engine: 3.8-liter twin turbo flat six
Power: 700 bhp and 553 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: 7-speed automatic double-clutch transmission (PDK)
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds
Top speed: 340 km/h
Base price: $294,250 (Weissach package: add $31,000)