
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Porsche Design Orfina Military Top Gun - Papers and Serviced (Ref. 7177), 1980s
- Maker / attribution
- Porsche Design (maker)
- Date
- 1980s
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 40 mm
- Stock no.
- Product 8304485597367
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Huntington Company (product 8304485597367)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1980s Porsche Design Orfina Military Top Gun - Papers and Serviced (Ref. 7177) (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Huntington Company (dealer) (stock number Product 8304485597367), this is a wristwatch by Porsche Design, dated 1980s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 40 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Huntington Company
History & Significance The Orfina Military chronographs represent the most utilitarian expression of the early Porsche Design era. The ref. 7177 was produced for military use and is distinguished by its matte black PVD case, tritium dial, fixed bezel, and the robust Lemania 5100 movement. The 5100 became a staple of military procurement because of its central-minutes chronograph layout, shock resistance, and reliability under demanding conditions. These watches gained further cultural recognition when U.S. Navy aviators wore similar PVD Orfina models and were later adopted into popular media associated with “Top Gun.” The military-engraved case back on this example confirms its intended service purpose, adding notable historical weight. Having both original papers and documented service is especially uncommon. Writer’s Thoughts The 7177 has a purposeful presence that feels very different from the civilian Porsche Design models. It is one of the most characterful and functional references from the Porsche Design and Orfina partnership. Our Promise Every watch is thoroughly vetted, carefully described with complete transparency, and guaranteed authentic. Each piece is offered in honest condition, ensuring collectors receive a timepiece that reflects both originality and integrity. Specifications Brand: Orfina Model: Porsche Design ref. 7177 Year: circa 1980s Case Material: Black PVD-coated stainless steel Case Size: 40mm Dial: Matte black military dial with tritium Crystal: Mineral Movement: Lemania 5100 automatic chronograph Strap/Bracelet: Black PVD bracelet Buckle/Clasp: Folding clasp signed PD Condition Case: Matte PVD case in strong condition with typical wear from age and use. Dial: Clean military dial with intact original tritium. Hands: Original handset with matching tritium tone. Crystal: Light marks consistent with age. Strap/Bracelet: Original bracelet with even wear to the PVD finish. Buckle/Clasp: Signed clasp with surface wear.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Military, pilot and travel watches
The wristwatch owes much of its adoption by men to warfare and aviation. Wristlets — small pocket watches soldered with lugs and worn on a strap — were used in colonial campaigns and became standard equipment in the First World War, with protective grilles over the crystal ('shrapnel guards'). Louis Cartier's Santos (1904), designed for the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, is often cited as an early purpose-made pilot's watch.
In the Second World War governments specified watches in detail: the German B-Uhr observation watches, the American A-11, and the British 'W.W.W.' (the 'Dirty Dozen' set of 1945). After the war, jet travel brought GMT and world-time watches, which show two or more time zones at once — Louis Cottier's world-time mechanism and the Rolex GMT-Master (1955) are examples.
What to look for
- Military markings on the case back: broad arrow, issue numbers, 'W.W.W.', 'A.T.P.'
- High-legibility black dials with luminous Arabic numerals; oversized crowns for gloved hands.
- 24-hour hands and rotating 24-hour bezels or city rings on GMT/world-time watches.
- Wire lugs on early wristlets converted from pocket watches.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug wristlets: c. 1900–1925.
- Military specifications of the Second World War: 1939–1945.
- GMT and world-time wristwatches: mainly after 1950.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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