Rolex motors to Monterey car week

FORMULA 1. 24 Hours of Le Mans. Daytona. Rolex’s presence is unmissable in these events — one of the watchmaker’s most coveted pieces is the Cosmograph Daytona. The brand’s association with motor sports actually stretches back to the 1930s when it supported Malcolm Campbell’s world land speed record (he was the first driver to break the 300mph barrier. And, of course, Rolex also counts as a Testimonee three-time F1 world champion Jackie Stewart.

Besides high-octane pursuits, Rolex is also linked to classic car events steeped in elegance, beauty and tradition — like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance; The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering; the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion; and the Goodwood Revival.

On August 15 until the 18th, Rolex will take part in this year’s staging of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance (presented by Rolex), the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. All part of the Monterey Car Week, the events bring together in this part of California the world’s most acclaimed automobiles. The various events will again honor the heritage and style of vehicles from yesteryear, together with the cutting-edge models of the future.

Scheduled on August 15 is the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, which will provide spectators their first glimpse of participating classic automobiles. The cars will depart from Portola Road, head down the coast via Bixby Bridge, then circle back to Carmel-by-the-Sea where they will be displayed on Ocean Avenue for the afternoon.

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the International Motor Sports Association. From August 15 to 18, more than 550 authentic and period-correct automobiles, spanning 103 years of motorsport history, will compete in 14 categories around Laguna Seca.

On August 16, against the backdrop of the Santa Lucia Mountains, an array of eclectic cars and motorcycles will assemble for The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. Now on its 17th year, the event will present the “25th Anniversary of the McLaren F1” and “A Tribute to the Electric Car Movement” among its featured themes. In this event, car collectors will compete to reach the Rolex Circle of Champions, where the vehicle of the highest caliber is awarded the Rolex Best of Show.

On August 18 the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which Rolex has supported since 1997, will see the finest automobiles being driven onto Pebble Beach’s picturesque 18th hole. Throughout the day expert judges will assess the vehicles on style, technical merit and accuracy. The winner of the Best of Show Award is declared during the closing ceremony. This year, Bentley cars are set to make up almost a quarter of the entries and will feature across six classes as the manufacturer marks its centennial year.

Italian design house Zagato, which is also celebrating its 100th anniversary, will get its own dedicated category.

Former F1 driver Mark Webber, a Rolex Testimonee, will be attending the annual celebrations for the first time.

“We all like to look forward but it is equally important to reflect on what has been achieved and to appreciate the remarkable stories and legends of sport. Look at Mercedes Gleitze swimming across the English Channel in 1927 and Sir Malcolm Campbell breaking land speed records in the 1930s — Rolex was a part of these amazing feats. That’s why it is so important to celebrate events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Rolex has such an authentic relationship with these events because of its long history and strong links to pioneering moments of the past,” Webber said.