Celebrating the Heritage of Motorsports in Monterey
The annual classic car gatherings in Monterey are a step back in time, where motoring enthusiasts from all over the world celebrate the style and beauty of a bygone era. Those that stand out are the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance. All of these prestigious contests are supported by Rolex and, along with The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, are the high point of the Monterey Week.
Held each August on California's stunning Monterey Peninsula, the week-long classic car festival was pioneered by the Pebble Beach Concours and Road Races. After briefly showcasing new cars, from 1955 onwards the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance® focused on the heritage of the automobile and presented its top award to an “old car”, now known as a “classic”. Seeing an increasing interest in classic cars, the events shifted to concentrate entirely on collector cars and proved to be the inspiration for similar meetings globally.
These events bring together the world's most beautiful classic cars. Those attending honor the traditions of motor racing, sharing their enthusiasm for the history of the automobile while enjoying a unique combination of concours, tours, racing and auctions, as they reflect on the inventiveness and creativity of the cars' designers and manufacturers.
Each unique in its own way, the events are linked by a common theme: a relish for preserving finely crafted vehicles that are no less exceptional today than when they were created. Those that stand out are the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance presented by Rolex. All of these prestigious contests are supported by Rolex and, along with The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, are the high point of the Monterey Car Week.
These partnerships are a natural fit, based on the brand's long-standing association with motorsports. The ties date back to the 1930s, when Sir Malcolm Campbell broke the 300 mile per hour barrier at the wheel of his World Land Speed Record car, Bluebird, with a Rolex watch on his wrist.
Rolex Testimonee Mark Webber, who will be joining this year's festivities in Monterey, says it is important to appreciate these remarkable stories and legends of motorsports. “We all like to look forward, but it is equally important to reminisce,” says the Australian, who won nine Formula 1® Grand Prix races and the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship. “Rolex has such an authentic relationship with these events because of its long history and its strong links to pioneering moments.”
Since its initial foray in the 1930s, Rolex's presence in the sport has grown steadily, driven by an unwavering commitment to the highest standards of performance and innovation. Whether supporting the leading motorsports series, Formula 1®, iconic endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, or events that showcase the heritage of the sport, Rolex maintains an enduring relationship with this fastpaced world. This support also extends to the Goodwood Revival, which recalls the heyday of motor racing.
These ties also include partnerships with some of the sport's most successful drivers. In 1968, Rolex formed a close relationship with Sir Jackie Stewart, a three-time FIA Formula 1® Drivers' World Champion (1969, 1971, 1973), and in 2010 the brand welcomed to its family of Testimonees Tom Kristensen, the record nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner. More recently, it partnered with German-Finn Nico Rosberg, the 2016 FIA Formula 1® Drivers' World Champion who retired from racing and now spends his time as an ambassador for the Formula 1® community.
Since its inception, Rolex has been a champion of excellence and precision, whether in its watchmaking or through sponsorship activities. Motorsports have proved an ideal partner, involving a powerful mix of accuracy, skill, endurance and elegance – exemplified by the legendary Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. Webber explains this synergy: “As a racing driver you look for consistency, reliability and innovation, and you possess a constant desire to test boundaries, which is very much aligned with how Rolex approaches the crafting of its timepieces. The brand continues to push technological know-how through its engineering, while remaining elegant and stylish. Rolex stands the test of time while being an integral part of key moments in history.”
The annual classic car gatherings in Monterey are a step back in time, where motoring enthusiasts from all over the world celebrate the style and beauty of a glorious past.