This year, Porsche AG celebrates the 50th anniversary of Porsche Design, the firm founded by the grandson and namesake of Ferdinand Porsche, Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche who also was the one who designed the Porsche 911, one of the most iconic sports cars of all time. It is also the third longest running sports car nameplate, with 58 years of continuous production.
“When you rethink the function of something, the form sometimes emerges as if by itself” – this was how F.A. Porsche described what still drives the engineers and designers at Porsche Design today. In 1972, he founded Porsche Design with his brother Hans-Peter. The designer of the Porsche 911 envisaged a company that would carry the principles and spirit of Porsche beyond the boundaries of the automobile. Porsche Design has long since become an internationally renowned premium lifestyle brand, known for functional and durable products with a purist aesthetic.
To celebrate the firm’s golden jubilee, Porsche AG produced two very special cars to highlight the year-long celebration – the exclusive Porsche 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design and a one-off historical 911 S 2.4 Targa commemorating Porsche Design’s founding year of 1972. The 50-year-old classic has been faithfully restored by Porsche Classic. Both cars were finished in black exterior and interior colorways, because it was the preferred color of F.A. Porsche.
Porsche AG also made a limited run of 750 cars called the 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design with several features inspired by the iconic designs of F.A. Porsche. Aside from the all-black exterior, the interior colorway includes the classic checkered Sport-Tex seat center seat panels as a nod to the classic Targa’s interior. The special edition is based on the 911 Targa 4 GTS Porsche and its owners can also purchase a special version of the new edition of the legendary Porsche Design Chronograph 1 designed originally by F.A. Porsche himself. The limited edition watch features a wheel-shaped winding rotor that underlines the connection to the 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design. The first Porsche Design Chronograph 1 watch that he designed was originally presented in 1972 and was the first watch with a black case and black dial, which was innovative for watch design at the time.
Non-Porsche 911 owners need not fret, Porsche Design will make the Chronograph 1 – 1972 Limited Edition will make this watch available albeit limited to 500 examples. Other Porsche Design Limited Capsule Collections in the fashion, shoes and sportswear, luggage and accessories ranges, as well as special eyewear collections will also soon be available in Porsche Design Manila boutique to complete the anniversary offer.
“Good design must be honest,” F.A. Porsche always emphasized. Today, Managing Director Roland Heiler and his team still follows that philosophy. Using authentic materials, they design carefully thought-out, functional and durable products with a purist aesthetic. The Porsche Design lifestyle brand creates inspiring high-quality products include watches, sunglasses, luggage and leather goods.
The Porsche Museum will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Porsche Design with a special exhibition that will run until the July. Part of it will feature information on the life of F.A. Porsche, his design philosophy and his huge creative influence. Exhibits spanning five decades and many product ranges will also be on display.
In similar fashion to Porsche AG, Porsche Design Philippines will showcase a rare and collectible 1971 Porsche 911 Targa at the Manila International Auto Show this April 7 to 10, happening at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. The car will be showcased at the entrance lobby of the building, together with Porsche Design merchandise and 50Y graphics, commemorating the design studio’s 50-year history.
Check out the new Porsche Design collection at Okada Resorts and Casino, Shangrila Plaza East Wing, Resorts World Manila and Rockwell Powerplant Mall and avail of their personal shopper service by calling 0917-5287317
