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CHOPARD Grand Prix Historique de Monaco Series Watches: 2002 - 2014
Chopard's Grand Prix Historique de Monaco Series
Another Prestigious & Exceptional Range of Racing Watches for Passionate Enthusiasts
Another Prestigious & Exceptional Range of Racing Watches for Passionate Enthusiasts
Background
The Grand Prix Historique was started by Michel Boeri ( President of Automobile Club of Monaco) in 1997.
His original intention was simple - to organise a one-off vintage car race as part of the commemorative celebrations of the 700th anniversary of Monaco's ruling family, the Grimaldis.
However the response was tremendous. The drivers and collectors of the vintage racing cars (mostly from the United States, Germany, France and Italy) were determined to come back for more!
Subsequently, the Automobile Club of Monaco decides that the Grand Prix Historique will be a biennial event since year 2000 (the 2nd race).
On May 18th and 19th 2002, Chopard sponsored for the first time as official timekeeper of the 3rd Grand Prix Historique de Monaco. The race follows the famous Monaco circuit, winding through the streets and along the quaysides of Monaco, which remained unchanged since it was first created on April 14th, 1929.
It was no surprise the Scheufele family involved in another milestone racing event, the Grand Prix Historique as they have been sponsoring the Mille Miglia since 1988 as they are avid fans of classic and vintage cars. Beside they even take part in the races too!
Vintage cars epitomize eternity and elegance, yet raw and have character, requiring the union of man & machine at pivotal moment to come out on top.
Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele presents Prince Albert of Monaco with a 'Grand Prix de Monaco Historique' chronograph (LE to 250 pcs)
Some pictures of previous race.
Some of the legendary cars competing (which also worth millions) were the 1928 Mercedes Benz SSK, the 1929 Bugatti 35 C, the 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2600 Monza, the 1953 C Type Jaguar, the 1955 Supersqualo Ferrari 555, the 1957 Maserati 250 F and many more.
All cars must comply to the technical standards and safety regulations laid down by Federation International de l'Automobile (FIA). According to Michel Boeri, one of the challenges is to find technical inspectors for these vintage cars. And they have to fly them in from all over the world!
Besides the cars, the drivers also must have the international contest license (issued by FIA) to compete in the race.
Talking about stringent checks & certification!
The Watches
Chopard will have new piece/s for every edition of the Grand Prix Historique (so far all are chronographs, tied in as the official timekeeper) which will be handed over to the victorious drivers of the different vehicle categories.
Four concepts are adopted to closely bound both automobile sport and mechanical watch-making -
Passion and emotion, rigorous standards and precision.
Starting with the inaugural sponsored edition .....
(1) 2002 - The 3rd Historic Monaco Grand Prix ( 18-19 May 2002)
2002 ' Grand Prix de Monaco Historique' Chronograph, Boutiques exclusive, limited to 250 pieces.
Case in 18-carat rose gold.
The ivory-coloured dial is highly readable with its black Arabic numerals and luminous triangles. It features two large 12-hour and 30-minute counters. The hour and minute hands are with Superluminova.
The watch is adorned with the prestigious Automobile Club de Monaco emblem.
The sapphire case-back reveals the self-winding movement and the crown is stamped in relief with a steering wheel in 18-carat rose gold.
(2a) 2004 - The 4th Historic Monaco Grand Prix ( 15-16 May 2004)
"Monaco Grand Prix Historique" Series II chronograph (Boutique Exclusive, LE to 250 pcs )
Similar to the 2002 version. Only dial colour changed from ivory to black and case is in WG.
(2b) 2004 - Post 2004 Historic Monaco Grand Prix
“Monaco Rattrapante” Chronograph (Boutique Exclusive, LE to 50 pcs)
Case
- 18-carat rose gold
- Total diameter 40.00 (mm)
- Thickness 12.50 (mm)
- Weight 80.90 g
- Water-resistant to 50 metres
- Crown in 18-carat rose gold, adorned with a racing steering wheel
- Sapphire crystal, multi-layer
glare-resistance treatment on both sides
- Push-buttons in polished 18-carat rose gold
- Case-back centre in sapphire crystal
Dial and hands
- Ivory coloured dial equipped with luminous hour-markers in Superluminova
- Hour and minute hands also equipped with Superluminova to ensure perfect night-time readability.
Functions
- Central hour, minute and seconds hands
- Chronograph functions with a black 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock and a black 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock
- Date window at 4.30
- Split-seconds chronograph hand able to display split times without disturbing time measurement
Strap and buckle/clasp
- Black crocodile leather strap (19.00mm x 16.00mm)
- Pin buckle in polished 18-carat rose gold (16.00 mm), folding clasp available, Chopard engraving.
Crown (adorned with a racing steering wheel) & Push-buttons are in polished 18K rose gold
Movement
- Mechanical self-winding with column-wheel chronograph function and split-seconds function ( F.Piguet 1186)
- Diameter 26.20 (mm)
- Total thickness 6.90 (mm)
- Number of jewels 38 jewels
- Number of vibrations per hour 21,600 vph
- Power-reserve approximately 45 hours
PR Photograph, Ref. 161890 , Limited numbered edition of 50 available from Chopard Boutiques.
(3) 2006 - The 5th Historic Monaco Grand Prix ( 20 May 2006)
PR Photograph of 2006 Series III ( Steel -DLC coated), Ref : 168472-3001
A tribute to the 5th edition of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, the 2006 Series III are in a limited series of 500 in steel and 100 in rose gold.
"Monaco Grand Prix Historique 2006” – Series III
Case
- 18-carat rose gold or blackened DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) steel
- Total diameter: 40 mm
- Thickness: 11.5 mm
- Water-resistant to: 30 metres
- 18-carat rose gold or blackened DLC steel crown with raised steering wheel motif
- Glare-proof sapphire crystal
Dial and hands
- Hour and minute hands in rhodium-plated brass coated with Superluminova for night-time readability.
Functions
- Indication: hours, minutes, seconds
- 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters at 3 and 9 o’clock
- Small seconds at 6 o’clock
- Date window at 4.30
Straps and clasps
- Hand-sewn brown or black crocodile leather strap
- Rose gold or blackened steel folding clasp with security system
Crown with raised steering wheel motif
Movement
- Mechanical self-winding chronograph
movement ( F.Piguet 1185)
- Diameter: 26.2 mm
- Number of jewels 37
- Power reserve approximate 45 hours
- Frequency: 21,600 vph
PR Photograph of 2006 Series III (RG) , Ref: 161256-5003
(4) 2008 - The 6th Historic Monaco Grand Prix ( 10-11 May 2008)
Case-back view with logo of the “Automobile Club de Monaco” and the letters GPMH.
For the specifications of the 2008 version, please refer to the Basel 2008 novelty. To access, please click here
To know more about Grand Prix Historique de Monaco and the Automobile Club of Monaco, please click here .
Kong
Related Reads :
For GPMH 2010 Version, please click here.
For GPMH 2012 Versions, please click here to view.
For GPMH 2014, 3-version Collections, please click here to view.
2010 7th Grand Prix Historique de Monaco Rose Gold case
2010 7th Grand Prix Historique de Monaco Steel case
2012 8th Grand Prix Historique de Monaco Ti case with rose gold accents
2012 8th Grand Prix Historique de Monaco Ti case
2014 10th Grand Prix Historique de Monaco Ti case on perforated Barenia leather strap
2014 10th Grand Prix Historique de Monaco Ti case on NATO strap
This message has been edited by MTF on 2016-01-26 16:27:56
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