Fall is just around the corner and that means that Chopard’s Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 will finally be released to retailers. Are you not excited? Well you should be. Chopard delivers a superlative automobile themed timepiece that lives up to car that it is fashioned after. This watch officially celebrates the long-awaited return of Porsche to Le Mans – the fabled 24 hour long race. The watch features hints of the Porsche 919 Hybrid, which is set to compete in the LMP1 Endurance World Championship. This timepiece from Chopard is limited in its production to just 919 pieces worldwide, and will only be available at Chopard Boutiques.
This model is sculpted from solid stainless steel on a thick, comfortable black rubber strap. There is another version in solid 18kt rose gold also on a black rubber strap. The strap on the steel model is fastened using a folding clasp that is made from stainless steel. The case carries dimensions of 45mm for the diameter and rides high on the wrist with a 15.18mm case thickness.
The fixed polished bezel carries a graduated tachometric scale, which is used to gauge average speed over a given distance. The case back is exhibition styled revealing the self-winding mechanical movement powering this watch. On the sapphire crystal case back is the inscription “Porsche Motorsport Official Timing Partner”. The Chopard Superfast Chrono Porsche 919 is water resistant to 100 meters or 330 feet.
The movement, caliber 03.05-M, vibrates at 28,800 alternations per hour and is chronometer certified by the COSC. COSC certified chronometers account for only about 5% of watches leaving Switzerland, which only adds to this watch’s exclusivity. The balance wheel is described as being made from a heavy metal, which aids in the efficiency of winding the mainspring. The bridges are skeletonized giving the wearer an excellent view of the ‘engine’ in this timepiece. This is the first time I’ve seen bridges that have been open worked.
The silver dial mirrors certain details of the Hybrid car with its usage of black and red accents. The dial features black steel luminous hands and hour markers with the 12 made large for emphasis. The prominent flange carries a minutes/seconds scale. This watch focuses very carefully on legibility and functionality. This is expressed in the chrono subdials at the 9 and 3 positions, which use red hands. The number ‘919’ is placed on the counter at 9 differentiating this model from all others in the Superfast collection. At the 6 position is the small seconds counter, while at the 4:30 position is the date aperture.
TAGS: Automatic Watches, Chopard, Chronographs, COSC, Date, Exhibition Case Back, Flyback, Limited Edition, Mechanical Watches, Men's Watches, Porsche 919, Power Reserve, Sapphire Crystal, Selfwinding Watches, Stainless Steel, Superfast Chrono, Swiss Made, Tachymeter, Water Resistant