It's Not Just a Watch. It's a Porsche

Filed in archive Design on February 10, 2008

Back in an era when I actually earned a reasonable income I purchased a Porsche Design wristwatch. It was, except for the numerals and hands, all black. That at a time when black as a "color" for fashion and furniture was unique, to say the least. The watch was one of the first non-automotive products to come from the hand of Ferdinand Porsche (grandson of the founder) as he began developing the design boutique company that now offers a wide variety of men's accessories and household items. I wish I had that watch today, for it is a collector's item, but foolishly allowed myself to be talked into joining a network of individuals who traded goods among themselves, just for the fun of it. To be honest, I can't recall what I got in place of the watch, probably because it was such a dumb move on my part.

Another Porsche Design item that got my attention was a skibob (sometimes known as a ski-bike). The skibob is like a low-to-the-ground bicycle with skis where the wheels would be. The rider wears short skis on his foot for balance and help in turning. It is equally fast (the world record is 201.580 km/h) and safer than skiing, easier to handle and maneuver and is raced in Europe. I actually have a couple of medals for my efforts there. Ski-bobs have a few disadvantages, one of them being portability. Porsche came up with a great-looking bob that folded into its own case and was easy to carry; naturally, it was black. Porsche ski-bobs were expensive - too costly for me - which is probably why the firm no longer sells them. What it does offer is this Flat Six Automatic Chronograph, made in homage to that legendary first black watch. If you purchase one and somebody suggests a trade... don't. You may live to regret it.