By Jovan Krstevski
The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique watches for me are seamless integrations of classic racing and elegant watch making. I haven’t seen watches exude such race-worthiness and elegance at the same time although this particular collection is about to cement this statement.
There are three precision watches in the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2014 Rose Gold collection but they all embody similar racing passion and there’s not much difference except the designs in the dials and of course, there is a chrono, an 3-hand model, and one 3-hand with a power-reserve indicator. Horological translation; you’re looking at the classic, modern, and the uber racer’s precision horology of the future – a sheer forward movement in time. I simply adore this idea! Nonetheless, as far as I know, Chopard is the only one capable of integrating real racing and elegant precision instruments.
The dial designs are remarkably elegant and scream precision at its best. There’s racing DNA everywhere; terrific inspiration indeed for race car fanatics. The geometry and the contoured lines all compliment each other, more like a feeling of looking under the hood of a race car’s roaring engine. The hands are similar in all versions and this is where the magic happens as it appears that they all go hand in hand forward and back in time, a marvelous timepiece indeed. Although they maybe in three models, Chopard assures and I also agree that they are “one in spirit.”
The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique is a clear picture of classic race cars. The COSC-certified self-winding calibre of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Automatic watch is likened to a V6 engine and for a watch, that translates to the ultimate time keeping instrument. Its overall appearance from the dials, pushers, bezel, and to the date on the 3 o’clock, represent the excitement of looking at the driver’s instruments panel. Moreover, from the racer’s point of view as how Chopard designed the three different models, they are somehow a depiction of the three main types of engines used in Monaco racing: the V6, V8 and V12. Notice that all these three representatives are extremely powerful car engines, and Chopard managed to embolden these attributes to the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique watches.
The case genuinely reflects Chopard’s passion for speed such that the titanium, steel and rose gold versions all embody how racing demands maximum horological precision. The fact is every time I look at each of the versions; I somehow see historical bodywork features of classic race cars. The feeling is simply amazing, having to strap a roaring engine on your wrist with faultless ergonomics. The caseback on the other hand is the same for all the models; it’s made of steel bearing the fantastic Automobile Club de Monaco logo.
Perhaps, nothing could hold the watches better than the black barenia calfskin strap with cream stitching and a folding clasp in titanium. The looks of the straps are the same in all models yet they all compliment the different power each model represent, much like tires that grip the road and on this case your skin. For more info, please visit chopard.com
Technical Specifications
Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Automatic
Technical Details
Case:
Beadblasted titanium
Total diameter 44.5 mm
Thickness 13.9 mm
Water-resistant to 100 metres
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
18ct rose gold crown
18ct rose gold bezel with black aluminium insert, silver-toned transfer and grey dots
Steel case-back bearing the Automobile Club de Monaco logo
Movement:
Self-winding movement
Total diameter 37.20 mm
Number of jewels 24
Power reserve approx. 46 hours
Frequency 28,800 vph
Chronometer-certified (COSC)
Dial and hands:
Snailed silver-toned dial
Raised oversized Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock
Silver-toned inner bezel ring
Gold-toned hour and minute hands
Black central sweep-seconds hand
Functions:
Hours, minutes, seconds
Date window at 3 o’clock
Strap and buckle:
Black barenia calfskin strap with cream stitching
Titanium folding clasp
Ref. 168568-9001– leather strap
Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Power Control
Technical details
Case:
Beadblasted titanium
Total diameter 44.5 mm
Thickness 13.9 mm
Water-resistant to 100 metres
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
18ct rose gold crown
18ct rose gold bezel with black aluminium insert, silver-toned transfer and grey dots
Steel case-back bearing the Automobile Club de Monaco logo
Movement:
Self-winding movement
Total diameter 37.20 mm
Number of jewels 24
Power reserve approx. 46 hours
Frequency 28,800 vph
Chronometer-certified (COSC)
Dial and hands:
Snailed silver-toned dial
Raised oversized Arabic 12 o’clock numeral
Power-reserve display inspired by petrol or oil gauges
Silver-toned inner bezel ring
Gold-toned hour and minute hands
Black central sweep-seconds hand
Functions:
Hours, minutes, seconds
Date window at 3 o’clock
Power-reserve indicator at 6 o’clock
Strap and buckle:
Black barenia calfskin strap with cream stitching
Titanium folding clasp
Ref. 168569-9001 – leather strap
Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chrono
Technical details
Case:
Beadblasted titanium
Total diameter 44.5 mm
Thickness 13.9 mm
Water-resistant to 100 metres
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
18ct rose gold crown and pushers
18ct rose gold bezel with black aluminium insert, silver-toned transfer and grey dots
Steel case-back bearing the Automobile Club de Monaco logo
Movement:
Self-winding chronograph movement
Total diameter 37.20 mm
Number of jewels 24
Power reserve approx. 46 hours
Frequency 28,800 vph
Chronometer-certified (COSC)
Dial and hands:
Snailed silver-toned dial
Hollowed black-toned subdials at 12 and 6 o’clock,
hollowed silver-toned subdial at 9 o’clock
Gold-toned hour and minute hands
Black central sweep-seconds hand
Functions:
Hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock
30-minute and 12-hour counters
Date window at 3 o’clock
Strap and buckle:
Black barenia calfskin strap with cream stitching
Titanium folding clasp
Ref. 168570-9001 – leather strap
Jovan Krstevski – Founder, Proprietor & Executive Editor
Watch collector, aficionado and a Event profile in the Swedish nightlife. He launched Watchgeek back in 2011, which is now known as WristReview and is one of the most widely read watch blogs on the Web. He quotes ’WristReview is a site to help people find, explore, discover and enjoy wristwatches.’ His passion jump started in his early teens, when he was given his first mid-range wristwatch which was an Omega Seamaster. Since then he has always been in love with wristwatches! Besides WristReview, he also writes for a number of publications. P.S: He is also a huge fan of The Man of Steel/Superman. Read his articles here.
