The Porsche Design Flat Six P’6310 Automatic is sporting a robust and precise Swiss-made caliber and is offered in Porsche’s signature black-and-orange color scheme, which is usually reserved for the creme-de-la-creme editions of their sports cars. Although a bit overpriced, it is still a nice choice for any die-hard fan of the German automotive brand.
The following statement is my personal opinion, but I feel the need to say it: although the combination of black, orange, and white allows for the most legible data presentation in almost any lighting condition –as well as draws a lot of attention to the watch and its owner–, this particular iteration of the Flat Six P’6310 looks somewhat cheap.
Perhaps, the main reason behind this effect is the choice of coating for the generously sized stainless steel case: that matte black substance applied over plain steel robs the otherwise beautiful (in a pleasantly rugged way) model of its energy, makes it look like a cheap plastic toy from a Duty-Free shop or an average mall in any of those Flyover States suburbs.
For a timekeeper that is going on sale at a recommended street price of €2450, its simple black rubber strap is, too, way too simple adding to the same visual effect produced by the Bauhaus-styled 44-millimeter stainless steel case. In fact, the Flat Six P’6310 looks simple to the point where to make an impression on an interested party, you may have the urge to get the Flat Six off your wrist and show its transparent case back to provide a good view at its automatic movement.
However, that will also be a mistake, since the watch is powered by a mass-produced (although of high quality) ETA 2892-A2 self-winding ebauche.
The only “exclusive” thing about this caliber is that the stock oscillating weight is replaced with a Porsche Design bespoke winding rotor, which is stylized as a Porsche light-weight rim, but that’s all that differs the mechanism from millions of its siblings: it didn’t even undergo a COSC certification procedure.
Still, if you want to use the Flat Six P’6310 PVD Black / Orange as an accessory that also happens to underline your loyalty to the German brand, not an exclusive High Horology -or, God forbid, jewelry- item, then there will be no problem with that.
Thanks to the chosen color scheme, the timekeeper offers a high-contrast, easily legible dial that doesn’t put a strain on your eyes not only in a broad daylight but also in darkness when its Superluminova-covered hands, Arabic numerals, and hour markers begin to glow their bright greenish light.
Its case is large, but not too thick, while the integrated leather strap makes the Flat Six P’6310 especially comfortable to wear for people with narrower wrists (although replacing it when the rubber finally cracks may prove to be troublesome since the straps are available only from Porsche Design: as far as I understand, you won’t be able to use a third-party bracelet or, say, NATO strap in place of the original band.)
WWR Verdict
Originality 4/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
See also: Porsche Design Flat Six P’6340 Chronograph
Photo: Porsche Design
Porsche Design Flat Six P’6310 PVD Black / Orange specification
Price range: €2450 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber ETA 2892-A2, refinished, equipped with skeletonized “Porsche Wheel” oscillating weight, Swiss Made
Jewels: 21
Cadence of balance: 28,800 vph
Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case: Black PVD-coated stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm
Case height: 10.50 mm
Dial: Black with orange flange
Hands: Stainless steel, with a luminous strip
Numerals: Arabic, luminous
Hour markers: Applied, luminous; Central seconds hand in orange
Water resistance: 120 meters
Strap: Black rubber with stainless steel folding clasp
Front Crystal: Sapphire, convex, antireflective
Back: Sapphire