Originally designed as a sports/driving watch by Porsche for general sale, the "military" title was added later, capitalising on the watch's potential to be picked up by national and international organisations?to serve as their military timekeepers. Its design is indeed fit for such a purpose; a sturdy, reliable watch, with utility and affordability in mind, and without any?unnecessary?over-complications.
Starting with its exquisite movement, the 17-jewel self-winding Lemania 5100 movement. It is now a classic, that deserves a place on any collector's shelf. The chronograph is driven independently via a vertical clutch, without the use a fragile intermediate wheel. As such, it can?withstand large shocks and blows. Its sturdiness, required for military purposes, means it can also tolerate acceleration in excess of 7G, as well as function reliably, without regular servicing. And servicing is cost-efficient, partly thanks to its pillar?construction and easy-to-assemble design.?Production and maintenance costs were lowered further with the use of wheels and other parts made of nylon and other plastics - proven to be shock-absorbant, resistant and low-friction?materials.?
The watch has the classic military design of the line, and unlike its 'civilian' counterparts, it features an outer, black chapter ring with?white, painted Arabic numerals. The black dial itself has lumes for the hours, and painted, white second markers with the accuracy of a fifth?of a second. The quick-set (German) day and date apertures are placed at three o'clock, while the twelve-hour chronograph register, the sub-seconds and the 24-hour display, featured at six, nine and twelve o'clock, respectively. This rare, unsold example of the classic Orfina Porsche design military chronograph has orange chronograph hands, while?the intriguing, central chronograph minute-hand is black and has an orange-tipped airplane pointer. A?red, circulated "3H", as well as "MILITARY",?"PORSCHE DESIGN" and "SWISS MADE" are referenced on the dial.
The stainless steel, round case measures 41 mm and it is coated with a black finish. Together with the crown (signed by PD) and the hooded lugs, it measures 44 and 45 mm. It comes on a black-coated stainless steel bracelet with a deployant clasp and has an extra black leather strap.
This Porsche design military chronograph is powered by the above-mentioned Lemania 5100 17-jewel automatic movement, beating at a rate of 28,800 A/h. It has 48 hours of power reserve when fully wound. And despite protests from the military and a few companies, it is no longer in production.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
Closer look
| Brand: | Orfina |
| Model: | Porsche design military chronograph - 7177 M |
| Movement: | automatic Lemania 5100 chronograph |
| Functions: | chronograph, quick-set date,quick-set weekday, 24-hour display, hours, minutes, sub-seconds |
| Features: | screw-down crown, luminescence |
| Case: | 41 mm stainless steel with black-coated finish |
| Crystal: | sapphire |
| Bracelet: | black-coated stainless steel bracelet and black leather strap |
| Year: | new old stock circa 1970 |
| Box & papers: | original box and paperwork |
