← Back to IWC Schaffhausen

Porsche Design

Introduced: 1978

Purpose / Inspiration: The IWC × Porsche Design partnership was a first-of-its-kind collab between a watchmaker and an automotive design studio. The goal? Bring Porsche’s industrial, form-follows-function design to the wrist. What came out of it were some of the most innovative tool watches of their time—the first all-black watch, the first full titanium chronograph, and even the world’s first wristwatch with a compass or perpetual calendar in a titanium case.

Designer: Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche, designer of the original Porsche 911, led the design; watchmaking executed entirely by IWC in Schaffhausen

Case size:

  • Varies by model: most between 32mm–42mm
  • Rounded “oval” or integrated case shapes typical of the 1980s–90s

Case options:

  • Titanium (industry first, 1980 Chronograph Titan)
  • Stainless steel
  • PVD-coated black steel (Chronograph I, 1978—the world’s first black watch)
  • Integrated bracelet cases in almost all models

Powered by:

  • Mostly Valjoux 7750 or Lemania-based automatic chronographs
  • Quartz and mechanical versions coexisted
  • Later complications included perpetual calendars, moonphase, and even compass modules

Bezel:

  • Often smooth and fully integrated into the case
  • Rotating bezels only on dive- or compass-specific models
  • Sleek, tool-forward design with little ornamentation

Dial options:

  • Matte black, minimal layouts
  • White or orange hands, high-contrast indices
  • Subdials sunken or hidden in the dial plane—true “form follows function” design
  • Early models had day/date at 3 or 6 o’clock

Water resistance: 30m–100m depending on model

Bracelet:

  • Integrated bracelet in matching metal (titanium or steel)
  • Matte finishing, brushed links, minimal polishing
  • True integrated design—case and bracelet flow seamlessly

Discontinued in 1997 when the partnership ended; Porsche Design moved to Eterna afterward

Why it matters: This wasn’t just branding—it was a pioneering fusion of automotive and horological design. IWC + Porsche Design was decades ahead of the collab game, delivering real innovations in material, layout, and wearability. Many pieces are now cult favorites for their stealth looks and sharp industrial style.

World’s First Black Watch? That’s Them. Chronograph I broke the color rule

Titanium Before It Was Cool: Lightweight, rugged, and pure tool DNA

Porsche Design on Your Wrist: Same guy who designed the 911 did this too

Integrated Style, Functional Soul: Form followed function—and still does

References for Porsche Design