This Porsche always gets you there on time

You've always dreamed of owning a sleek Porsche, but you're afraid it may get scratched or even worse. So why bother with a Porsche car?

Q&A: Wael al Takhin, the general manager for Porsche Design in the UAE, explains what drives customers to pay a high price for the car manufacturer’s products.

Last Updated: May 25, 2011

Who is likely to spend Dh990,000 (US$270,000) on a watch? We have had interest from all types. Some people might buy the watch as a collector's item, but most people would wear it every day.

Is Porsche Design wholly owned by Porsche, the car maker? Yes, Porsche has been selling products since 1972, starting with watches. The company then launched its own store boutiques in 2005. There are 107 stores worldwide ... We hope to open at least one store in Abu Dhabi next year and are looking at Marina Mall and Etihad Towers.

Other than watches, what else do you sell? We sell limited edition cufflinks, pens, clothing, luggage, shoes and accessories.

What car do you drive? A Porsche Cayenne.

For just four times the price, you can get a Porsche watch instead. Yes, a limited edition Porsche Design watch for just Dh990,000 (US$270,000). You'll be the talk of any dinner party and, of course, your conversation starter with the taxi driver will be on your wrist.

A mix of 18-carat gold, titanium and rubber, only 50 of these Indicators have been made and just 11 at this price and stylish design. Not surprising, it is sold under lock and key at the Porsche Design store in Dubai Mall. It has been designed by the car maker and manufactured by Eterna, a Swiss watch company.

The clasps and body are made of rose gold, with a titanium face and rubber straps that look like Porsche tyres. The face includes a stop watch and second timer, and a dial turns from green to red when the watch runs low on power. The natural movement on the wrist will keep the Indicator powered, but if it does run low it is simply a matter of rewinding.

The Dubai Mall store ordered two of the limited edition watches back in 2008, receiving delivery of the first in 2009, which was sold not long after to the owner of a global drinks chain. The current number 7 unique Indicator was delivered six months ago.

Wael al Takhin, the general manager for Porsche Design in the UAE, says demand is high for the store's products. "People want to be unique and different, they do not want to walk down the street and see someone wearing the same thing," he said.

At the low end of the Porsche car collection, the Boxster retails at Dh184,600, with the signature Porsche 911 selling for just over Dh300,000.

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But who would want to be racy, when one can be punctual?

The Quote: I've been on a calendar but I have never been on time. Marilyn Monroe

rjones@thenational.ae