Orlando Bloom Talks Porsche Cars, Watches And Passion

Orlando Bloom wears the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition.
Photographer- Paula Nietner/Porsche Design

Just a few weeks ago in New York City, Porsche Design announced its newest campaign and launched a few new timepieces – in the company of actor Orlando Bloom. Bloom has been a brand ambassador for Porsche AG and is now also an ambassador for the Porsche Design timepieces. At an event held at Watches of Switzerland, the only non-Porsche Design retailer to carry the brand’s watches in America, I had the chance to talk one-on-one with Orlando Bloom about his alliance with the Porsche brand and the watches, as well as his take on time.

Let me start by saying that I have interviewed a good number of celebrities, athletes, and other notables (close to 100 to date) throughout my four decades in this industry. I will admit, I have a few favorites – people I felt were truly genuine, cared about their role and their passion and answered with deep honesty. I am happy to say that I can now add Orlando Bloom to that very short list.

Orlando Bloom outside the Watches of Switzerland SoHo store in New York, sporting the Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition.Photographer- Paula Nietner/Porsche Design

Genuine, engaged and definitely enjoying the moment, he was not only affable but direct. He made eye-contact even when being photographed by the paparazzi. He paid attention to creating the best possible campaign videos and images despite the crowded SoHo street teeming with fans. He gave full, meaningful answers to questions – well beyond a single sentence answer (yes, at one point, I did have to interrupt him so I could get another question in).

Orlando Bloom at the Porsche Design event at Watches of Switzerland in Soho (Photo: R. Naas)

And, more importantly, he wasn’t afraid to say how hard he worked to find the right fit with Porsche. He openly talked about going to the studio, driving the track and working to be sure the Porsche AG team knew he wasn’t just looking for an ambassadorship. He truly loves the brand. In fact, he told me, that while he owns several Porsche cars and bought them long before joining the brand, he has also fallen in love with the Porsche Design watches, sunglasses and luggage.

Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition

“If you can afford it, you buy the car. If not, you buy the watch and if you can’t afford that you buy the sunglasses,” he said. To Orlando Bloom, who bought his first Porsche item – sunglasses – as a teen, just owning a piece of the brand is a comforting feeling.

So, I naturally asked him: why Porsche?

“I think, look, the cars are clearly a timeless design and the evolution of the car through the first F.A. Porsche watch was a seamless kind of connection, right? And seeing the car gives you a certain feeling but then being in a position to purchase a car, and drive it, is another feeling entirely. And I think when you think about the history of the design and the way that it is so timeless, it is just an emotional connection.”

Porsche Chronograph 1- 1975 Limited Edition

In 1975, Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche wrote a new chapter in the history of the Chronograph I – with the introduction of an uncoated model. The timepiece returns for its 50th anniversary, now made entirely of ultra-light titanium: The new Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition. This is the watch Orlando Bloom was wearing during our interview.

“When I became an ambassador for Porsche, it started with my passion for the cars, but then when you see the watch dial in the gauges of the car you drive, it’s like a perfect marriage. I haven’t taken this Porsche Design watch off my wrist.”

Bloom says he is also a watch collector and owns many other pieces (he started with vintage Rolexes , worked with Audemars Piguet, has a good relationship with Patek Philippe, and has moved into a host of other brands), but for now, the Porsche Design steals his heart.

Ferdi Porsche (right), Ben Clymer of Hodinkee (center) and Orlando Bloom (left) at the unveiling of the new Porsche Design Chronograph 1 -1975 Limited Edition watch at Watches of Switzerland, New York. (Photo: R. Naas)

“Maybe when I’m 60, I’ll probably do a sale for charity of some of my watches. I work with UNICEF [as a Goodwill Ambassador] and somehow I always thought, well, when I’m 60, maybe I will sell six watches, and at 70 maybe 70 watches. As an ode to my collection and to help others.”

Orlando Bloom says he appreciates the timeless design of the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 1975 Limited Edition.

“What strikes me in a watch is the timelessness of it. It has to have a design that can last forever, like some of the most iconic brands. Even outside of watches. I collected Levis and Nikes for a while. I appreciate iconic brands and how they seem to really reflect the times. But the fact that they are being made in limited numbers, exclusive numbers so they retain their value for future generations to appreciate them, that is important. I’ve always been somebody that appreciates the detail of things.”

So, what does time mean to Orlando Bloom?

“It means for me as I’m appreciating my life more, especially as it pertains to my children, it means presence. Time really means nothing when you are present at the moment that you’re in. And that’s how I’ve started to view time as it travels on by. If I’m present, then it doesn’t really have a hold. It’s when I am out of sync with my body or my mind is racing too much that I don’t appreciate time in the way that I feel like it’s important to. Time is important, but to enjoy it you have to be present in the moment.”