California, 20 August 2023 – Throughout the past week, the Monterey Peninsula has welcomed an array of magnificent machines on display and in motion, paying tribute to cars of the past, present and future. This year, motoring enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the anniversaries of many influential manufacturers, who continue to make their mark on everyday lives and remain at the forefront of innovation. In support of the elegance and technology on show, Rolex has partnered with automotive events in California since 1997, sharing a desire to preserve the legacies of these vehicles and those who so expertly maintain them.

PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE®
The festivities concluded on Sunday 20 August with the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® and the week’s most anticipated award. The legendary golf course was a hive of activity with meticulously cared for cars from 1906 to 1998 gracing the 18th fairway. Special classes recognized the world’s leading brands, with Lamborghini, McLaren and Porsche bringing some of their most iconic models to mark their respective milestones. Meanwhile, the next chapter in motoring history played out on the Concept Lawn, as pioneering automobiles were displayed for all to appreciate. The event reached its crescendo when the 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster was named the Best of Show at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®. Acknowledging the devotion and expertise required to preserve these classic cars, a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 was presented to the owner Jim Patterson.  

Record nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Rolex Testimonee Tom Kristensen was an Honorary Judge at the Concours. The Danish legend says:

ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION
Across four remarkable days the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion hosted many of the finest racing cars at the hallowed WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. From Wednesday 16–Saturday 19 August, over 400 vehicles showcased nearly a century of motor sport heritage, with Rolex supporting the event and its commitment to automotive tradition since 2001. This year, the Reunion spotlighted the 70th anniversary of Corvette and the all-American brand paid tribute to the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans by displaying the first Corvettes to compete at Circuit de le Sarthe in 1960. As the roar of the engines mellowed and the chequered flag fell, the event reflected on the participants who carefully fine-tune these historic automobiles to ensure they continue to race into the future.

THE QUAIL, A MOTORSPORTS GATHERING
On the immaculate lawns of the Quail Lodge & Golf Club on Friday 18 August, the world’s most esteemed marques came together to launch the cars of tomorrow. Marking its 20th anniversary, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering welcomed attendees to experience the finest cuisines and see more than 200 culturally significant vehicles. At the heart of The Quail are the people behind the cars, with entrants voting for the Rolex Best of Show. This year, the one-of-a-kind 1956 Ferrari 410 Superamerica ‘Super Fast’, owned by Anne Brockinton Lee, was crowned the winner and welcomed into the 2023 Rolex Circle of Champions.

A regular visitor to The Quail is the 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion and Rolex Testimonee Jenson Button. He says:

PEBBLE BEACH TOUR D’ELEGANCE® PRESENTED BY ROLEX 
On Thursday 17 August, the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance® presented by Rolex took place against the backdrop of the Peninsula’s traditional summer fog. The start at Portola Road was busier than ever, with the classic cars lined up three by three, showcasing design and style from over the decades. A revised route for 2023 saw the automobiles cruise along Palmero Way onto 17-Mile Drive and then south to Big Sur, before returning to Pebble Beach Golf Links®. Presented by Rolex since 2007, the Tour provides locals and aficionados from around the world with the opportunity to take in the sights, scents and sounds of these glorious cars from yesteryear.

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 Jenson Button, 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion. Most recently, Jamie Chadwick, Indy NXT driver, three-time W Series Champion and the sport’s most exciting young female talent, became part of the Rolex family. 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.