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:

“The great thing about Monterey Car Week is that it offers everything you could ever want. Including the fabulous events at Pebble Beach, The Quail and of course the four days of historic racing at Laguna Seca. It’s rare that you can be in one place for a week and do something completely different each day, which is what I love about these events. We are also in a wonderful part of the world – California really embraces car culture.”

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 surprise 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. Following the celebrations, owner Fritz Burkard, expressed immense joy, saying:

“What is most beautiful about this moment is that, for first time, someone from Switzerland has won the Concours and to win a Swiss watch makes it extra special – the Rolex 1908 is exquisite.”

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:

“I love this event; it’s electric. It was extra special to drive my C-Type here, at an event so closely linked to Rolex, and to race alongside so many different works of art. There is so much history in this sport, and the Reunion showcases the vastness of motor sport in a way that the next generation can appreciate.”

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.

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