Forty years ago, back in 1972, a then-recently established brand Porsche Design of Austria presented its first product: an analog chronograph that had all its visible surfaces treated with a black coating.
Although offering nothing particularly new in terms of mechanics, the model nevertheless was the first in the world to offer an all-black (with only hands and hour markers covered in white) color scheme that offered unrivaled contrast and legibility and, inevitably, has soon become a hit among those interested in a ‘lifestyle’ timekeeper with a loud name on its dial. This new Porsche Design P’6510 Chronograph I Reissue (Ref. 6510.43.41.0272) pays homage to the famous timekeeper with only minor details changed here and there.
The first noticeable difference between the original and the reissue is, of course, the size. While the 1972 model was a modest 38 millimeters in diameter, the new version comes in a much more impressive 44-millimeter body: still being a ‘lifestyle’ watch, the P’6510 delivers what an average buyer of a luxury timekeeper wants (hint: they want their expensive gadget to be noticed right from the start.)
The second difference became possible thanks to the technological breakthroughs of recent decades: it is now not simply painted (well, I assume that the original watch used the same process applied to blacked-out personal firearms of the time,) but is treated with more scratch-resistant black PVD coating.
Although it would be nice to see it sporting a matt-black DLC treatment that is even more resistant to scratches, I understand that it would also be even more expensive than it is now.
There are also minor differences in dial layout with the sub-dials sporting slightly different chapter rings, a different setting crown, and new calendar wheels with two-letter abbreviations and a different font face. The hour and minute hands were also slightly changed.
Summing up the visual changes, I would say that the new watch looks better than the original (sorry, can’t reproduce the photos of the 1972 model for copyright reasons, but you can easily find them online at auction sites.) Even if it’s not especially interesting, it certainly is more refined thanks to obvious technological advances in all fields related to watchmaking.
According to PD’s official press release, the watch is powered by a well-known ETA Valjoux 7750 column-wheel chronograph movement that offers you all the usual functionality: 12-hour chronograph, a small seconds indicator, a tachymeter scale on the bezel and, of course, the calendar that shows not only current date but the current day of the week, too.
In a nod to Porsche’s best-selling sports car, the Austrian-based brand is going to sell the watch as a limited edition model with a total production run restricted to just 911 pieces, so there is a good chance that it will soon become a rarity.
As for the price, the new Porsche Design P’6510 Chronograph I Reissue will sell for CHF 5700 and €4700, which roughly converts to $6200. Well, goods from Porsche Design -not only timepieces but also eyewear, kitchenware, and other hardware, too- have always been terribly overpriced.
See also: Porsche Design P’6620 Dashboard Chronograph in Black PVD Titanium
WWR Verdict
Originality 3.5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Overall Legibility: 4.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 3/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
Photos: Porsche Design
Porsche Design P’6510 Chronograph I Reissue (Ref. 6510.43.41.0272) specification
Price: €4700 / $6200 (MSRO)
Movement: Automatic, Caliber ETA Valjoux 7750, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 25
Movement frequency: 28,800
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, date, day of week
Power reserve: 48 hours
Case: Stainless steel treated with black PVD
Shape: Round
Size: 44.00 mm
Case height: 14.50 mm
Dial: Black
Hour markers: White, luminous, applied
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Micro-blasted steel bracelet with black PVD treatment, folding clasp
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Screw-down, solid steel in black PVD coating