26 May 2014 | Chopard

The Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique

If you got bored, last Sunday,  watching the F1 Monaco GP and you are missing the old school racing cars, the ones equipped with a manual gearbox and no electronics at all, you might be interested to know that every two years the Automobile Club de Monaco organizes a historical Grand Prix which takes place exactly on the same racing course where Nico Rosberg has won, this past Sunday, his fifth F1 victory and has reaffirmed the Mercedes F1 team's supremacy for 2014.

During a three day race, which took place from may 9^th to the 11^th, almost all the F1 history, ranging from 1920 to 1985, has run through, which means: front engine powered racing cars, via rear engine powered ones up to  today's one seater designed for  ground effect. In a nutshell, this event has represented an unmissable one for any true car racing aficionado or else for those ones lucky enough to drive a 1930 Bugatti, an Alfa Romeo or a 70s Lola and Tyrrell F1.

This latest event has been sponsored by Chopard, whose link with classic-racing is obvious. Chopard has been partnering with classic-racing for a very long time; above all stands out the Mille Miglia historical race, which hosts enthusiasts from around the world each year and involves the most skilled gentlemen drivers. An event to which Chopard has dedicated a collection, the Chopard Mille Miglia so renowned I'm quite used to associate Chopard exclusively with this collection, forgetting Chopard is a manufacturer which creates haute horologerie timepieces as well.

If I'm quite aware of the Mille Miglia race and its lure; it represents ,indeed, the Italian racing heritage as well as the Chopard Mille Miglia collection, and all the timepieces launched by Chopard over the years since 1988 when this partnership officially got underway, nothing I knew since now, to be honest, about the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. A Grand Prix which, as of 2016, the year when the next edition will take place, I will surely attend. Sport watches enthusiasts will be happy to know that Chopard has debuted a new collection named after this event which the maison sponsors since 2002. This collection is called the Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, it has been unveiled during the historical race weekend and boasts three models: a chrono, an automatic and a power reserve one. They all feature a titanium case or else a titanium and rose gold round case. They boast a very classic design: a three counter chrono, an automatic with applied Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o' clock, a Power Reserve automatic timepiece where the applied index at 6 has been replaced by the power reserve indicator in the shape of a classic gasoline gauge.

They all boast a 44,5mm wide case, are 13,9mm thick and are powered by an automatic movement, with the balance wheel that oscillates at 4Hz and a total power reserve of 46 hours. What I do like most is that they're alla COSC certified chronometers. They are available with a Barenia leather strap, with yellow stitching, the same yellow is being widely used on the dial, or with a stainless steel and titanium bracelet, with an optional NATO strap provided, which is available it seems just on the chrono version. If you take a closer look at them anyway there are some details that really catch the enthusiast's eye: the chrono pushers for instance are engraved with a motif in the shape of a brake disc and a three arms steering wheel the Automobile Club di Monaco logo like is engraved on the winding crown. Or,  above all, the stainless steel case back which is secured to the titanium case via 8 Allen tiny screws.

(Photo credit: courtesy of Chopard)

Gaetano C. @Horbiter - Watches & Luxury

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