California, 21 August 2022 – This week, the Monterey Peninsula hosted its annual homage to motoring tradition and marked the start of the 100th anniversary celebrations for the world’s greatest and most prestigious endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Having supported automotive events in California since 1997 – and this legendary 24-hour race for over 20 years – Rolex champions innovation and excellence through the ages. With a desire to respect and preserve the past while looking to the future, the Swiss watchmaker partners the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance® presented by Rolex.

PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE®
Today, on the greens of the fabled Pebble Beach Golf Links®, where Rolex legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have walked, vintage cars from the turn of the 20th century to present-day created a glittering display. Drawing the attention of the well-dressed, discerning crowds were the Talbot-Lago Grand Sports and the magnificent Lincolns. As one of the highest honours in the automotive world, this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® Best of Show was awarded to the 1932 Duesenberg J Figoni Sports Torpedo having demonstrated the perfect combination of authenticity, style and design. Recognizing the labour of love taken to show this one-of-a-kind car, a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 was presented to the winner. Following the prize-giving ceremony, owner Lee R. Anderson Sr. says:

The 24 Hours of Le Mans theme illuminated the event; starting, on Saturday 20 August, when the Centenary Trophy was unveiled on the famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® awards ramp. It continued today, with two dedicated Le Mans classes featuring on the fairway, bringing to life remarkable racing stories from across its century. Rolex Testimonee and nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Tom Kristensen was an Honorary Judge at the Concours and proudly reflects:

ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION
The challenging turns and elevation changes at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca were alive with the sound of historic Le Mans cars from Wednesday 17 to Saturday 20 August for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. An unforgettable collection of authentic racing cars from this iconic contest lined up to showcase the evolution of performance, design and engineering at speed. Mythical winners were united in the Paddock for spectators to marvel at, including the 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, the 1966 Ford GT40 and the 2005 Audi R8 LMP1 that was driven to victory by Kristensen.

As Grand Marshal of the 2022 Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion, Kristensen fulfilled his duties while soaking up the incredible atmosphere around the track. He says:

THE QUAIL, A MOTORSPORTS GATHERING
On Friday 19 August, the Quail Lodge & Golf Club celebrated historic automobiles alongside future technologies, with cars from across the decades side-by-side during this picturesque garden party. The Swiss watchmaker has partnered The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering as the Official Timepiece since 2005, and this year welcomed the 1956 Jaguar D-Type into the Rolex Circle of Champions as the winning car. Reflecting on the day, Jenson Button, the 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion, who recently joined the Rolex family of Testimonees, says:

PEBBLE BEACH TOUR D’ELEGANCE® PRESENTED BY ROLEX
Earlier in the week, on Thursday 18 August, an enthusiastic crowd waved off 190 entrants from Portola Road for the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance® presented by Rolex. The motorcade enjoyed a new scenic route, tracing parts of the 17-Mile Drive and hugging the coast to Big Sur, before returning to Pebble Beach to cross the finish line. This year’s eclectic mix of vehicles showcased automotive prowess in motion and ensured that the next generation can appreciate the performance of these coveted and rare cars.

In their pursuit of perfection, Rolex and the automobile world play key roles in the development of pioneering expertise and remain at the forefront of innovation on the wrist, track and beyond. Over the past five days, California has celebrated the eagerly anticipated 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is set to be the highlight of next year’s motor sport calendar. From the automotive excellence on display here on the Monterey Peninsula to the world’s oldest twice-around-the-clock race, Rolex supports these prestigious events through each era of change, as they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.

ROLEX AND MOTOR SPORT

Rolex’s close ties with motor sport date back to Sir Malcolm Campbell’s World Land Speed Record successes in the 1930s, when he became the first driver to break the 300 mph barrier (483 km/h) at the wheel of his car, Bluebird. Since then, Rolex’s presence in motor racing has grown steadily, its support extending to revered endurance events such as the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship. In 2013, Rolex became associated with Formula 1®, the pinnacle of motor sport, having supported Rolex Testimonee Sir Jackie Stewart since 1968. The three-time FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion has been joined by fellow high achievers from the world of motor sport: Tom Kristensen, the record nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner; Mark Webber, the multiple Formula 1® race winner and 2015 FIA World Endurance Champion, and, most recently, Jenson Button, 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion. The brand also has a global appreciation for classic automotive events steeped in elegance, beauty and tradition, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Goodwood Revival.