Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition
Since 2002, Chopard has been the partner and official timekeeper of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, a key fixture on the classic racing calendar. Dedicated to the most prestigious competition in its field, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique collection of Chopard welcomes two new limited-series Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition chronographs.
These ultimate driver’s instruments are powerful, sporting and sophisticated watches that pay tribute to the 11th edition of the race – held this year from May 11th to 13th on the Monte Carlo circuit winding through along the tight bends of the principality. Bodywork inspired by classic racing cars; an ‘engine’ chronometer-certified by the COSC; bright orange or blue accents: these chronographs are a distillation of mechanical refinement, precision and vintage design. Issued in two limited series – one of 250 in titanium and steel and the other of 100 in 18-carat rose gold, titanium and steel –, they embody Chopard’s passion for racing as well as its high watchmaking standards.
A partnership guided by passion
A key fixture on the classic racing calendar, this prestigious event was bound to appeal to Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. In 1992, his passion for these speed machines – with their high-precision mechanical engineering equalled only by their splendid designs – led him to make Chopard principal sponsor and official timekeeper of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique. A commitment synonymous with a collection of Chopard timepieces featuring refined details inspired by this exceptional universe and entirely in tune with the virtues of this Grand Prix: endurance, precision, sturdiness… and elegance.
Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition, the ideal driver’s partner
With each Grand Prix, two exclusive and original models further strengthen the racing spirit driving this collection of powerful and sophisticated timepieces. From the materials chosen to the construction principles and from mechanical reliability to legible functions: everything is designed to make this sports watch an instrument truly cut out for action.
Designed to support race competitors, the new Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition is an indispensable instrument for drivers. Accurate, sturdy and impeccably readable, it comes in two versions: one in bead blasted titanium combined with steel; and the other in 18-carat rose gold teamed with titanium and steel, respectively issued in 250- and 100-piece limited editions. Inspired by the design codes of classic cars, its daring and virile aesthetics as well as its high-precision mechanical engineering admirably match the adventurous spirit of the participants in this speed race.
Topped by pushers shaped like engine pistons and a blue bezel with a tachymeter scale that is ideal for calculating average race times, the 44.5 mm-diameter case is fitted with a screw-lock crown and a caseback stamped with the Automobile Club de Monaco logo. The latter is secured by screws reminiscent of automotive bolts. Water-resistant to 100 metres, it houses a high-precision watch ‘engine’, chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing institute (COSC), an indispensable quality for a Chopard chronograph. This mechanical movement with automatic winding, endowed with 46 hours of autonomy, also powers the hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph and date functions.
The optimally legible snailed silver-toned dial is enlivened by luminous effects created by the blue and silver-toned chronograph counters. The minute track is punctuated by characteristic applied arrow-shaped hour-markers painted with Super-LumiNova. The bright orange sweep-seconds hand of the titanium/steel version and its orange-tipped blue counterpart on the 18-carat rose, titanium and steel version mark off the precious seconds of the race in which speed implies performance and risk-taking around the demanding bends of the Monaco circuit.
Two interchangeable straps set the perfect finishing touch to the sporting nature of these new timepieces: the blue Barenia calfskin strap with orange stitching for a vintage elegance look; or the blue NATO strap enhanced with orange racing stripes for a casually sporting style.
Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition
250-piece limited edition in titanium and steel
100-picece limited edition in 18-carat rose gold, titanium and steel
Technical specifications:
Case:
Shotblasted titanium and steel or 18-carat rose gold, shotblasted titanium and steel
Total diameter : 44.5 mm
Thickness: 14.1 mm
Water resistance: 100 metres
Titanium screw-locked crown with steering wheel: 8 mm
Steel bezel with blue insert, silver-toned inscription and orange
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Pushers in bead blasted (lower) and polished (upper part) titanium
Case-back stamped with the Automobile Club de Monaco
Movement:
Mechanical self-winding chronograph movement
Total diameter : 37.20 mm
Number of jewels: 25
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: approx. 46 hours
Chronometer-certified (COSC)
Dial and hands:
Snailed silver-toned dial
Galvanic blue snailed hollowed counters at 12 and 6 o’clock, silver-toned hollowed counter at 9 o’clock
Rhodium-coated hours and minutes hands painted with Super-LumiNova
Orange sweep-seconds hand
Orange-tipped rhodium-coated hands for the 12 and 6 o’clock counters
Blue hand for the 9 o’clock counter
Functions:
Hours, minutes, seconds
Hours, minute and seconds counters at 6, 12 and 9 o’clock
Date window at 3 o’clock
Strap and buckle:
Blue Barenia calfskin strap with orange stitching; blue and orange NATO strap
Brushed titanium and steel folding clasp
Ref. 168570-3004 – in titanium and steel
On Barenia calfskin strap and NATO strap
250-piece limited edition
Ref. 168570-9002 – in 18-carat rose gold, titanium and steel
on Barenia calfskin strap and NATO strap
100-piece limited edition
The price for the Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2018 Race Edition in Stainless Steel and Titanium is $7,390 and with the rose-gold is $11,200.
