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Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2016 Race Edition, an indispensable instrument for racing drivers
The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, organised every two years ever since 1997, held May 14th and 15th 2016 on the legendary Monte-Carlo circuit. This exclusive competition combines racing cars dating from the Pre-War period through to the 1970s.
An important spotlight in the classic racing calendar, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique is actually a great speed trial run on the Principality’s legendary circuit.
Chopard has been its sponsor and official timekeeper since 2002. The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique watch collection, born from the personal passion for classic cars of Chopard co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, is composed of sporty watches featuring refined details inspired by this exceptional universe.
Fully commited to the best classic racing competition, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique collection by Chopard welcomes a couple of brand new limited-series chronographs. These particular driver’s instruments are impressive, sport and complex wrist watches paying homage to the 10th edition of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique.
Bodywork influenced by classic cars, an ‘engine’ chronometer-certified by the COSC and vivid orange or blue accents: these particular chronographs made in editions of 500 in titanium and stainless steel and 100 in 18-carat rose gold are definitely the perfect example of mechanical accomplishment, accuracy and retro design.
Meant to support the opponents getting involved in the competition, the new Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2016 Race Edition is an essential instrument for racing drivers along with several other sports activities. Precise, rugged and perfectly readable, it’s available in two versions: shotblasted titanium and stainless steel, or 18-carat rose gold, correspondingly released in 500-piece and 100-piece editions.
Influenced by the design codes of classic cars, its bold and virile aesthetic along with its high-precision mechanics perfectly match up with the audacious mindset of participants in this speed trial.
Equipped with pushers in the shape of engine pistons and also a grey bezel with a tachymetric scale that’s well suited for calculating average speeds during the race, the 44.5 mm-diameter case features a back personalized with the Automobile Club de Monaco logo and is secured by screws reminiscent of automobile bolts.
Water-resistant to 100 metres, it is powered by a high-precision horological ‘engine’, chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). This self-winding chronograph movement, endowed with a 46-hour power reserve, offers hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph and date functions.
The optimally legible silver-toned snailed dial is enlivened by light effects created by the grey and silver-toned chronograph counters, while the minute circle is punctuated by applied hour-markers featuring the collection’s characteristic arrow shape. The bright orange central sweep-seconds hand on the titanium/stainless steel version, or the blue one adorning the 18-carat rose gold model, ticks off the precious seconds of the race during which speed is matched by performance and risk-taking around the sharp bends of the Monaco circuit.
Two interchangeable straps set the perfect finishing touch to the sporting nature of these new timepieces: the Barenia calfskin strap with orange or blue stitching, for the vintage elegance typical of gentlemen drivers; or the grey NATO strap bearing orange or blue racing stripes for a relaxed sporty style.
