“Official Timing Partner” of Porsche Motorsport since the return of the manufacturer to the WEC championship 2014, Chopard supported again the German team for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2017. Legendary pilots, genuine passion and an equally fabled circuit made this event another milestone in the history of motor-racing. On June 17th and 18th, Porsche was fighting for its 19th victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans after an extraordinary last minute triumph in 2016.
This year, Porsche reaffirmed its historic supremacy in motorsport and endurance racing. The 24-hour race just pushed both the mechanics and the drivers to the limits. The car #2 crossed the finish line on the first position, sealing an outstanding victory for the team after a technical defection of two Toyota’s cars during the night at mid-race. Building on its close ties with Porsche Motorsport, Chopard presents the Superfast Power Control Porsche 919 HF Edition, produced in a 100-piece limited serie and embodying pure performance thanks to a new Chopard movement, the high-frequency Calibre 01.11-M.
Fritz Enzinger (Leiter LMP1), Porsche LMP Team: Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber, Timo Bernhard (l-r)
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world’s oldest endurance sports car race, held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, France. It is one of the most prestigious automobile races and is often called the “Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency”. It is considered to be one of the most challenging races to win during the season. Racing teams have to balance speed with the cars’ ability to perform during 24 hours without mechanical damage or failure. The cars’ consumables, primarily fuel and tyres are constantly monitored and managed. Pit stops need to be strategically planned and current regulations mandate that three drivers share each competing vehicle. Drivers frequently race for over three hours at a time with maximum speeds up to 340 km/h all through the night – a record set by Porsche in 2015.
Le Mans 2017: The 19th victory for Porsche Motorsport and Chopard
In the 85th edition of Le Mans, Porsche sealed a historic 19th victory. The German manufacturer #2 car finished first in front of 258 000 passionate spectators. Drivers and Chopard ambassadors Earl Bamber, Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley won the coveted trophy in their innovative Porsche 919 Hybrid. Nick Tandy, Andre Lotterer and Neel Jani in the sister car came home after a technical problem that did not allow the car to go back on track.
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche LMP Team
No other manufacturer than Porsche has managed to win the world’s toughest endurance race so many times (19 times) and is so closely connected to the myth of Le Mans.
Chopard is extremely proud to be a partner of the Porsche Motorsport team!
On this occasion, Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard said: “The ‘triple victory in Le Mans is a dream come true for Porsche and Chopard. I am totally delighted about this final victory achieved by our outstanding partner team: Porsche Motorsport! I can’t believe the team managed to take the trophy back home after an hour in the pit-box. We are very proud to contribute to pilots’ and team’s performance and run after time using their Superfast watches.”
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche LMP Team: Earl Bamber, Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley
High frequency for high performance – a new Superfast watch
This year, Chopard unveiled a new watch, the Superfast Power Control Porsche 919 HF Edition, a 100-piece limited serie. Exclusively available in Chopard boutiques, the new Chopard high-frequency watch epitomises pure performance lightness, efficiency, technicality. The Superfast Power Control Porsche 919 HF Edition is a tribute from the Maison to its partner Porsche Motorsport’s success in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). It has a lot in common with the car that has been monopolising the podium at the latest championship events: the Porsche 919 Hybrid.
The FIA World Endurance Championship will continue on July 16th 2017 on the Nürburgring, the famous racetrack in Germany.
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