This is a special limited edtiion by Chopard marking Porsche’s return to Le Mans for the LMP1 Endurance World Championship, after 16 years absence. The 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held on 13-14 June at Le Mans in France. The watch has “919” on a red logo at 9 o’clock, and its overall silver colour is also a reference to Porsche cars. The caseback is marked “Porsche Motorsport Official Timing Partner” on the sapphire glass, which also reveals the movement, interesting for its open-worked bridges that provide a glimpse of the wheels further down.
Flyback chronograph
This is a very good looker, much better when you see it in the flesh with respect to the photos and illustrations. It is like a miniature engine strapped to your wrist, with its silver colour, the layered, laminated-metal effect of the case side, and the prominent screws holding the bezel. The watch is fairly large at 45 mm diameter and 15.18 thickness; the dial has a series of horizontal lines that recall the engine-cooling grille on the back of a Porsche. The watch is a flyback chronograph, with subdials for chronograph 30-minute and 12-hour counters, the third subdial at 6 o’clock for continuous seconds, and a date window. Hands and hour-markers are coated with luminescent paint; the cae is resistant to 100 metres of water. The watch has a black rubber strap (reminiscent of slick racing tyres).
See-though movement
The self-winding movement can be seen through the sapphire caseback, and its bridges have a series of horizontal cutouts that enable you to see something of the wheels further in. It is the Chopard 03-05-M calibre, running at 28,800 vph (4 Hertz), with a power reserve of 60 hours. It is an in-house movement, chronometer-certified by COSC, with column-wheel system for the chronograph functions.
Price and availability
The Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919, reference 168535-3002, is a limited edition of 919. Available in boutiques from June 2015. Price 11,450 Swiss francs / £8,320 / €10,750.
Only Watch 2015
A single-piece version of the Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 will be presented at Only Watch, a charity auction held on 7 November in Geneva, conducted by Phillips auction house. This piece will be signed by Mark Webber, who will be participating in the Porsche 919 at Le Mans and who is also a Chopard testimonial. This piece is in titanium and DLC
