With two good looking limited chronographs – rose gold limited to 100 pieces / steel and titanium limited to 500 pieces – Chopard shows respect to the classic cars racing on the the legendary Formula 1 circuit in Monte-Carlo this weekend.
The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique takes place every two years just before the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monte-Carlo. The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, held every two years since 1997, is to be run this weekend May 14th and 15th 2016 on the legendary Monte-Carlo circuit. The oldest competing cars date back to the 1930s, when Bugatti and Alfa Romeo were competing for podium places. Lola, McLaren and Tyrell models retrace the history of the progress of aerodynamics and engine research. Powerful GT cars that emerged from the Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar and Aston Martin workshops during the 1960s give drivers a rough ride on the many slopes and dangerous bends of the Monte-Carlo circuit. Lastly, F1 models from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970’s offer a high-speed closing touch to the programme that looks set to be equally demanding for the men at the wheel and the cars themselves. The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique revives the historical vocation of these legendary speed machines, with roaring engines powering drivers to exceptional performance and ultimate victory.
For more information please click on the link below …
The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique
For each edition of the Grand Prix since 2002, Chopard has created dedicated timepieces.
The Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2016 Race Edition watches, issued in limited editions of 500 in stainless steel and titanium and 100 in 18 carat rose gold, are cool driver’s instruments created for gentlemen drivers and for those who simply want to buy a good looking chronograph. The COSC-certified chronographs are available on a NATO or a leather strap.
Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, told me: “I would like to congratulate the Automobile Club de Monaco on the tremendous work they do in the field of classic cars, and to salute the enduring quality of their organization over the years. It is a true honor for Chopard to be associated with the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, which is undoubtedly a highlight on the racing calendar”.
A partner of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique since 2002, Chopard is also the official timekeeper of the Mille Miglia since 1988 – something you know for sure, but I wanted to mention it here.
I have no actual picture from Monte-Carlo yet, so I took the one from 2014 …
Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2016 Race Edition
Titanium and stainless steel
Case:
Shotblasted titanium and stainless steel
Total diameter 44.5 mm
Thickness 14.1 mm
Water-resistant to 100 metres
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Titanium crown and pushers
Stainless steel bezel with grey inlay, silver-toned inscription and orange dots
Case-back stamped with the Automobile Club de Monaco logo
Movement:
Self-winding chronograph movement ETA/Valjoux 7750
Total diameter 37.20 mm
Number of jewels 25
Power reserve approx. 46 hours
Frequency 28,800 A/h
Chronometer-certified (COSC)
Dial and hands:
Silver-toned snailed dial
Hollowed snailed grey counters at 12 and 6 o’clock, hollowed silver-toned counter at 9 o’clock
Painted metallic black hours and minutes hands painted with Superluminova
Orange central sweep-seconds hand
Metallic black counter pointers
Functions:
Hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock
Minutes counter at 12 o’clock and hours counter at 6 o’clock
Date window at 3 o’clock
Strap and clasp:
Grey Barenia calfskin strap with orange stitching and grey and orange NATO strap
Titanium and stainless steel folding clasp
Ref. 168570-3002 500-piece limited edition
Price: 6790 Euro including 20 % VAT
Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2016 Race Edition
18 carat rose gold
Case:
Shotblasted 18-carat rose gold
Total diameter 44.5 mm
Thickness 14.1 mm
Water-resistant to 100 metres
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
18-carat rose gold crown and pushers
18-carat rose gold bezel with grey inlay, silver-toned inscription and blue dots
Case-back stamped with the Automobile Club de Monaco logo
Movement:
Self-winding chronograph movement ETA/Valjoux 7750
Total diameter 37.20 mm
Number of jewels 25
Power reserve approx. 46 hours
Frequency 28,800 A/h
Chronometer-certified (COSC)
Dial and hands:
Silver-toned snailed dial
Hollowed snailed grey counters at 12 and 6 o’clock, hollowed silver-toned counter at 9 o’clock
Painted metallic black hours and minutes hands painted with Superluminova
Blue central sweep-seconds hand
Gold-toned counter pointers
Functions:
Hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock
Minutes counter at 12 o’clock and hours counter at 6 o’clock
Date window at 3 o’clock
Strap and clasp:
Grey Barenia calfskin strap with blue stitching or grey and blue NATO strap
18-carat rose gold folding clasp
Ref. 161294-5001 100-piece limited edition
Price: 20.990 Euro including 20 % VAT
The titanium and stainless steel version looks great and at €6,790/- with VAT is affordable, while the rose gold version at €20,900/- with VAT is quite expensive.
I thought Chopard used its own movements in the limited edition watches, yet for this watch in both the versions Chopard have used ETA movements. So, I am quite surprised.