A gruelling test of endurance and reliability, on top of speed, the intense 24 Hours of Le Mans race concluded its 100th edition on 11 June, in front of 325,000 spectators at the Circuit de la Sarthe, in northwest France. The centenary edition of the race saw British racing veteran, 2009 FIA Formula 1 Drivers’ World Champion and Rolex Testimonée Jenson Button in contention for the title, which eventually went to the No. 51 Ferrari AF Corse, driven by Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado.
The winning drivers were presented with an engraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona by the nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and Rolex Testimonée Tom Kristensen, from the brand that’s been the official partner and official timepiece of the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001.
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Released in commemoration of the 24 Hours of Le Mans’ 100th anniversary, this version of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona that made its debut in 1963 features the “100” on the tachymetric scale rendered in red, a nod to the centenary of the legendary race. In white gold, the watch sports a Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic, Oyster case and Oyster bracelet, and new finishes and decorations, such as the Rolex Côtes de Genève on the bridges. Most distinctively, it’s fitted with the calibre 4132, an adaptation of the calibre 4131 that counts the hours using the chronograph function over 24 hours instead of the model’s usual 12. And its timekeeping excellence is backed by the Superlative Chronometer certification.
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