Porsche Design 1919 Globetimer UTC watch hands-on experience

The main new watch released by German Porsche Design at the Baselworld 2019 is the Porsche Design 1919 Globetimer UTC. Germans generally prefer to use the term "UTC" (Coordinated Universal Time) rather than Greenwich Mean Time ("GMT"), which is a matter of style, but in reality, they are the same thing. Porsche Design didn’t want to just release a GMT (UTC) watch in a new era for the brand, but wanted something technically interesting, unique and, of course, functional. The Porsche Design 1919 Globetimer UTC is all that.

Inside the watch is a new movement that Porsche Design calls “in-house.” I believe this is an exclusive movement made just for them, called the WERK 04.110 movement, which relies on modules placed on top of a base movement. The WERK 04.110 operates at 4 Hz, has a 38-hour power reserve (a bit thin for a watch in this price range today), and includes local time with AM/PM indicator window, date hand, and second 24-hour time - The zone indicator hand can be adjusted in either direction using the buttons on the case.

The 1919 Globetimer UTC is ideal as a travel watch due to its ability to adjust the UTC hand to "East" or "West" depending on the direction you are traveling. While bidirectional GMT watches are not new, they are relatively uncommon and each one is a little different. Regular GMT/UTC watches usually allow the wearer to adjust the 24-hour hand in only one direction. Each time you press the pusher on the side of the 1919 Globetimer UTC case, the UTC hand moves a full hour in one direction or the other. Unless you're going somewhere with a 30-minute time zone, this is pretty much all the travel watch functionality you'll need when you're trying to determine the time in two different time zones simultaneously.

Standard complications from Porsche Design include a small window at 9 o'clock that serves as a day/night (AM/PM) indicator for the main time zone. This helps the wearer better adjust the main time to work in harmony with the UTC hand. The dial also indicates the date via hands on the main dial. With this hand, the main handle of the 1919 Globetimer has a full five hands. This is not a record per se, but it is very rare and another interesting story about this timepiece.

Porsche Design comments on two other features of the WERK 04.110 movement that are worth mentioning. First, adjusting the UTC time does not have a negative impact on the performance of the movement, i.e. it does not affect the accuracy of the main time. In some watches, the regulating system pauses or is a little hindered when operating functions. Porsche Design has made it clear that operating the UTC complication does not affect timekeeping accuracy. Additionally, the movement is Cosc-Chronometer certified, adding extra value and a guarantee of timed performance.

The basis of the Globetimer UTC series is the still fresh Porsche Design 1919 case. Porsche Design originally introduced it to create a more unique look. The 1919 was designed to be a watch that instantly communicates “Porsche Design” to onlookers when worn on the wrist. Of course, this will take a few years and will depend on whether the watch can provide a unique visual experience. A lot of this has to do with the 1919 case, which has seen a bit more wear than its 42mm wide size would suggest. This is due to the "one-piece" cut lug structure that protrudes from the case and attaches itself to the belt or bracelet. With such prominent lugs and the nearly 15mm thickness of the 1919 case, the Porsche Design 1919 Globetimer UTC is best suited for medium to large wrists.

Is the watch made of titanium? Of course it is - this is Porsche Design we're talking about. In fact, in 2019, Porsche Design also released an all-18K rose gold version of the 1919 Globetimer UTC with a black dial. Other models include blue, brown and black dials, most with matte beaded titanium dials. Only the blue version comes with a matching Porsche Design titanium strap, while the other models come with a thick “genuine Porsche automotive” leather strap.

Now, the overall quality and construction of Porsche Design is truly impressive. Details on the 1919 Globetimer UTC include a polished titanium bezel and some angles on the pushers. The textured crown is both beautiful and comfortable to hold. The dial is eye-catching and legible, although it doesn't immediately strike you as new or unique. What I really like about the 1919 Globetimer UTC is that you really get the sense that this is a modern designed product, but one that has been produced based on a long tradition of expertise and style that feels very similar to the best cars today . Kind of like a Porsche car? Porsche Design wants to think so.

Speaking of Porsche cars, Porsche Design (part of the same group of companies) has become increasingly closely associated with the automotive part of the brand. It's a bit of a departure from the mentality of a few years ago, which made Porsche design feel very independent. In addition to the various Porsche Design watches that are actually targeted at specific Porsche owners, we're also starting to see more design philosophy overlap between Porsche Design watches and the German company's world-popular vehicles, such as the 911 series.

The back of the 1919 Globetimer UTC case has a handy chart to help you know which time zone you should be in based on your travels. (It uses a reference city.) This is helpful, no doubt - but as a watch enthusiast I'd like to see a view of the movement here. For me, the best version is the one with the blue dial and matching titanium bracelet, but if it matches your wardrobe and skin tone, the brown version is really eye-catching.