Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition
Press Release
Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition
Since 2002, Chopard has been the partner and official timekeeper of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, a key fixture on the classic racing calendar. Dedicated to the most prestigious competition in its field, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique collection of Chopard welcomes two new limited-series Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition chronographs.
These ultimate driver’s instruments are powerful, sporting and sophisticated watches that pay tribute to the 11th edition of the race – held this year from May 11th to 13th on the Monte Carlo circuit winding through along the tight bends of the principality. Bodywork inspired by classic racing cars; an ‘engine’ chronometer-certified by the COSC; bright orange or blue accents: these chronographs are a distillation of mechanical refinement, precision and vintage design. Issued in two limited series – one of 250 in titanium and steel and the other of 100 in 18-carat rose gold, titanium and steel –, they embody Chopard’s passion for racing as well as its high watchmaking standard
A partnership guided by passion
A key fixture on the classic racing calendar, this prestigious event was bound to appeal to Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. In 1992, his passion for these speed machines – with their high-precision mechanical engineering equalled only by their splendid designs – led him to make Chopard principal sponsor and official timekeeper of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. A commitment synonymous with a collection of Chopard timepieces featuring refined details inspired by this exceptional universe and entirely in tune with the virtues of this Grand Prix: endurance, precision, sturdiness… and elegance.
The place to be for devotees of fine mechanical engineering
The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique is a true speed trial. Every two years since 1997, the ‘Rock of Monaco’ is transformed into a full-fledged temple of classic cars, in which passion fires the heart of every driver. This biennial rendezvous for aficionados of fine mechanical engineering focuses on a wide variety of cars from the finest automotive manufacturers, spread between seven categories. Offering a splendid retrospective look at models from the pre-war period to 1976, the competition is held on the circuit of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, which takes place a fortnight later. For the 11th edition of the race, an exclusive new chronograph – the Grand Prix de Monaco 2018 Race Edition – honours the daring spirit of this intense and much sought-after race of which speed is the very reason for being and victory a question of panache.
Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition, the ideal driver’s partner
With each Grand Prix, two exclusive and original models further strengthen the racing spirit driving this collection of powerful and sophisticated timepieces. From the materials chosen to the construction principles and from mechanical reliability to legible functions: everything is designed to make this sports watch an instrument truly cut out for action.
Designed to support race competitors, the new Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition is an indispensable instrument for drivers. Accurate, sturdy and impeccably readable, it comes in two versions: one in bead blasted titanium combined with steel; and the other in 18-carat rose gold teamed with titanium and steel, respectively issued in 250- and 100-piece limited editions. Inspired by the design codes of classic cars, its daring and virile aesthetics as well as its high-precision mechanical engineering admirably match the adventurous spirit of the participants in this speed race.
Topped by pushers shaped like engine pistons and a blue bezel with a tachymeter scale that is ideal for calculating average race times, the 44.5 mm-diameter case is fitted with a screw-lock crown and a caseback stamped with the Automobile Club de Monaco logo. The latter is secured by screws reminiscent of automotive bolts. Water-resistant to 100 metres, it houses a high-precision watch ‘engine’, chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing institute (COSC), an indispensable quality for a Chopard chronograph. This mechanical movement with automatic winding, endowed with 46 hours of autonomy, also powers the hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph and date functions.
The optimally legible snailed silver-toned dial is enlivened by luminous effects created by the blue and silver-toned chronograph counters. The minute track is punctuated by characteristic applied arrow-shaped hour-markers painted with Super-LumiNova®. The bright orange sweep-seconds hand of the titanium/steel version and its orange-tipped blue counterpart on the 18-carat rose, titanium and steel version mark off the precious seconds of the race in which speed implies performance and risk-taking around the demanding bends of the Monaco circuit.
Two interchangeable straps set the perfect finishing touch to the sporting nature of these new timepieces: the blue Barenia calfskin strap with orange stitching for a vintage elegance look; or the blue NATO strap enhanced with orange racing stripes for a casually sporting style.
That is exactly how Chopard views racing: performance matched by mechanical excellence and faultless ergonomics, teamed with the aura of elegance inseparably bound up with the world of gentlemen drivers.