Geneva, 18 August 2024 – As the hum of classic cars dissipates and the sun goes down, the Monterey Peninsula bids farewell to a week of automotive excellence and innovation. Recognizing the need to preserve motoring tradition, Rolex has supported these events for over 25 years, when it first partnered the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® in 1997. Since then, the brand has partnered the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion – which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary of historic racing – The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance® presented by Rolex. Each event honours the enduring beauty and mastery of motoring heritage while embodying a forward-thinking spirit.

Rolex Testimonee and 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion, Jenson Button, who is a regular attendee, says:

PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE®
The culminating event of this week-long spectacle, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, unfolded today on the greens of the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links®. Each year, the Concours surpasses expectations, introducing the discerning crowd to inspiring new categories and exceptional cars. Making headlines this year was the unveiling of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s special collection of ten Royal Land Rover Classic vehicles, marking the first time they have been showcased outside the United Kingdom.

As the judging drew to a close, attention turned to the awards ceremony and one of the automotive world’s highest accolades, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® Best of Show. This year’s prestigious recipient was the 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports – the first preservation car in the event’s history to win Best of Show. In honour of its cutting-edge classicism, Rolex awarded a specially engraved Perpetual 1908 to the winner. Expressing immense joy following the prize-giving, owner Fritz Burkard says:

ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION
The rumble of saloon cars and the roar of Formula 1® powerhouses from yesteryear echoed through the hills as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion marked 50 years of historic racing. From Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 August, the four-day gathering united those who believe that classic cars belong on track, no matter their rarity and value. The venue, the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, is a challenging circuit where drivers must navigate the infamous Corkscrew turn, descending five-and-a-half stories in an instant. Rolex has been a long-standing partner of the event and in 2010 assumed the role of Title Sponsor. This year, the Reunion paid homage to the racing marques that have graced its history for five decades, alongside heroes from the racing hall of fame.

Among these legends, Button, took to the track to compete in his striking 1952 Jaguar C-Type in the Briggs S. Cunningham Trophy. Sharing his enthusiasm for the anniversary edition, he says:

THE QUAIL, A MOTORSPORTS GATHERING
A crowd of more than 5,000 enthusiastic spectators basked in the sun on Friday 16 August on the immaculate lawns of the Quail Lodge & Golf Club, celebrating automotive history and the future of design. This year, the perfectly preserved 1937 Delahaye Type 145, 12-Cylinder Competition was honoured as the Rolex Best of Show winner and welcomed into the 2024 Rolex Circle of Champions, alongside coveted supercars and remarkable machines. In recognition of the dedication to upholding motoring excellence and tradition, Rolex presented the owners of the 1937 Delahaye, Sam and Emily Mann, with a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Datejust.

PEBBLE BEACH TOUR D’ELEGANCE® PRESENTED BY ROLEX
On Thursday 15 August, the rolling museum sprung to life along Highway 1 for the annual Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance® presented by Rolex. Wrapped in the traditional morning fog and touched by the early rays, the convoy of historic vehicles traversed along the Pacific Coast passing Big Sur and Bixby Bridge. More than 150 entrants from the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® took part in the scenic Tour, showcasing their roadworthiness and seeking an advantage ahead of the Concours on Sunday. Rolex has proudly honoured the spirit and beauty of the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance® as Presenting Partner since 2007.

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, the 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.