From Stuttgart to Costa Mesa: Porsche and Porsche Design Honor 90 Years of F. A. Porsche
December 11 would have marked the 90th birthday of Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche—F. A. Porsche—the visionary designer whose uncompromising minimalism and devotion to function reshaped not only automotive history, but modern design itself. To honor his enduring influence, Porsche and Porsche Design unveil a tightly curated series of limited-edition collector pieces that translate his philosophy into objects of precision, performance, and permanence.
At the center of the celebration is a collection that spans disciplines yet speaks a unified design language: the 911 GT3 90 F. A. Porsche, limited to just 90 units; a commemorative edition of the legendary Chronograph 1; a bespoke Weekender; and the return of the cult-classic “Porsche Junior” sports sled. Together, these pieces form a holistic tribute to a man whose belief that “if you analyze the function of an object, its form often becomes obvious” continues to define Porsche Design more than five decades on.
Founded in 1972 by F. A. Porsche and his brother Hans-Peter, Porsche Design quickly became synonymous with functional, timeless design. The studio extended the Porsche ethos beyond the road, producing enduring classics like the Chronograph 1—the world’s first entirely black wristwatch—and the P’8478 sunglasses with interchangeable lenses. Ninety years after his birth, the brand returns to these foundations, reinterpreting them through contemporary craftsmanship while remaining faithful to their original intent.
The anniversary edition of the Chronograph 1 stands as the emotional and technical heart of the collection. Inspired by F. A. Porsche’s personal Chronograph I—still held by his family—the timepiece features subtle, historically resonant details. A special Super-LumiNova® treatment on the hands and indices evokes the warm patina of aged radium or tritium, while vintage Porsche Design branding appears on the crown and buckle. Above the bilingual day-date display sit the initials “F. A. P.,” mirroring the customization Porsche himself chose for his own watch.
The black-coated titanium case updates the original 1972 design with modern, hypoallergenic materials, while retaining its unmistakable stealth aesthetic. On the case back, laser engravings display F. A. Porsche’s signature alongside the limited-edition number (XX/90). Inside, the automatic movement features a rotor shaped and colored to echo the wheels of the accompanying sports car—an intimate dialogue between wrist and road. COSC certification ensures chronometric precision, and each piece is handcrafted at Porsche’s watch manufacture in Grenchen, Switzerland.
That dialogue continues with the 911 GT3 90 F. A. Porsche, a bespoke collector’s car based on the GT3 with Touring Package. Limited to 90 examples, the vehicle draws inspiration from a 911 (G-Series) that F. A. Porsche drove in the 1980s. Finished in exclusive F. A. Green Metallic, the car incorporates deeply personal references: the F. A. Grid-Weave pattern—drawn from his favorite jackets—appears across the seat centers, glove compartment, and trunk mat, while black-painted Sport Classic wheels nod to historic Fuchs designs. These same visual cues are reflected in the Chronograph’s rotor and leather strap, which mirrors the car’s interior palette.
Extending the design narrative beyond the vehicle itself, Porsche Design introduces a matching Weekender that transforms the 911 GT3 90 F. A. Porsche’s interior concept into a refined travel accessory. Crafted in Truffle Brown leather with Chalk Beige stitching, the bag features the F. A. Grid-Weave pattern lining its front pocket and an embroidered anniversary logo inspired by the plaque on the car’s rear grille. Purchasers of the limited-edition GT3 receive both the Chronograph 1 and the bespoke Weekender, reinforcing the idea of a complete, considered design ecosystem.
Rounding out the collection is the return of a beloved cult object: the “Porsche Junior” sports sled. Originally introduced in the 1960s and cherished by F. A. Porsche and his family, the sled is reissued in a modern carbon construction with a Kevlar core for strength and lightness. Finished in F. A. Green Metallic and upholstered with the same Grid-Weave fabric as the anniversary GT3, the sled—also limited to 90 units—underscores Porsche’s belief that good design should extend into every facet of life, including play.
More than a retrospective, this 90th anniversary collection is a living expression of F. A. Porsche’s vision. Across automotive engineering, horology, accessories, and even leisure objects, Porsche and Porsche Design demonstrate that true design legacy is not preserved in archives—but carried forward through objects that remain purposeful, beautiful, and relevant.
