On Sunday September 26^th, the checkered flag came down on the 2010 edition of the Bovet Italia Classica. This prestigious event brought together, for an entire week, a truly amazing collection of vintage cars originating from all four corners of the globe.

Celebrating the centenary of Alfa Romeo and the 80^th anniversary of Pininfarina, this year’s Bovet Italia Classica welcomed many of the all-time greats of Italian motor racing: Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Lancia were represented by their most legendary models and in many cases by unique prototypes or special editions, including the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Spyder California, the Maserati 3500GTi Spyder, the Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva and the 6C 2500SS Pininfarina.

Many vehicles present bore the signature of Pininfarina. Moreover, it was to celebrate the jubilee of this most famous of design studios that Bovet this year unveiled the Tourbillon Ottanta®.

Rome and its region provided the backdrop for this 2010 edition, with daily stopovers made at sumptuous Roman villas to which access was granted specially for the occasion. In the exclusive serenity of these surroundings, contrasting with the roar of engines, Bovet presented its collections, as well as the work of one of its specialists in the art of miniature painting, to an awestruck audience.

The high point of the event took place on Friday 24^th of September. On that day, Mr.Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Italian Republic, played host to the participants, opening the doors of the Palais Quirinal for the first time to a non-official “delegation”. It was an opportunity for members of the jury, namely Gianni Alemanno, Mayor of Rome, Pascal Raffy, owner of Bovet 1822 and of Dimier 1738, Nicola Bulgari, the luxury entrepreneur, Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of the Prada Group, Lorenzo Ramaciotti, head designer of the Fiat Group, Giorgio Schön, stylist, Stefano de Alessandri, Director of the Hachette Group Italy and the jury’s president Paolo Pininfarina, chairman of Pininfarina, to be given a private audience with the President of the Republic prior to inspecting the racing cars assembled meticulously in the Palace courtyard.

Before the participants agreed to meet again for the next Italia Classica, the last evening was marked by the highly anticipated presentation of prizes rewarding the most elegant vehicles. This year’s winner, Mr. William Ellwood Heinecke from Thailand with his Ferrari 250 LWB Spyder California from 1958, was presented by Mr. Pascal Raffy with the Bovet Sportster® Italia Classica chronograph, a unique timepiece specially made for the occasion.

It is a reward which pays tribute to engineering genius, aesthetic refinement and preservation of an historical heritage. Values that perfectly capture the essence of true luxury as defined by Pascal Raffy.